6 0 T R A V E L S THROUGH
I SHALL forbear to particularize a number of others, which, although they feem to
•fcrve as a bafe to thofe I have already mentioned, are, notwithftanding, of a prodigious
height.
I WILL only add fome flight observations oft the direftion of the valiies, fituatcd north
and fouth of the Brenner, as alfo on the relative height of the mountains on each fide
of it. I have obfcrved in general that moft of the fmall valiies towards the north
extend from north to foutii, and from fouth to north; but the large ones from northcaft
to fouth-weft: whilft, towards the fouth, the large, as well as the fmall ones, take
a contrary direaion. The different diredion, and appearances of the mountains, are
nlfo very confpicuous; for the higheft and moft rugged peaks, and the moft extenfive
Glacicrs, are north of the Brenner. Thofe towards the fouth are not fo high, containing
moftly a great quantity of foffils and impreffions of marine fubftances: they are alfo, in
general, cultivated and wooded to tlie top.
I PART1CULARI.Y recommend to the geologift to beftow fome attention on the above
obfervations, and alfo on the following, as they may tend to induce naturalifts, who
propofe vifiting thofe mountains, to obfcrve them more attentively than they might
otherwlfe be led to do, as by thofe means they may be enabled to throw frelh light on
• the ftudy of geology. Firft, I found that the part of the primordial chain of mountains
in the Rhffitian Alps which I vifited is covered with large calcareous beds, or ftrata,
inclining from north-eaft to fouth-weft.—Secondly, That the fecondary mountains
contain, in fcveral places, beds of white or grey phofphorous marble, of a fpecies
which does not readily effervefce with acids, except when reduced to powder.—
Thirdly, That there alfo exift in the vicinity of mount Baldo calcareous mountains,
filled with marine fubftances of different fpecies, fupported, as it were, by large beds
of marble, of calcareous ftonc, of a fine grain, in which I did not difcover any marine
bodies. —Four thly, That there are feveral hot mineral fprings between St. Michael and
the fummit of mount Brenner, the major part of which is fulphureous. — Fifthly,
That on the banks, or beds of fome of the torrents, which take their fource in
the High Alps, are found fragments of ftones, refembling lava, or bafaltes, which brings
it nearly to a certainty that there have formerly been voléanos in fome part of thofe Alps.
I QUITTED Steinach after fome few hours repofe; and, as I arofe betimes, decided
on walking to Schonberg, which is the next poft, or elfe to proceed to the city of Infpruck,
being induced fo to do by the beauty of the mornbg, and tlic ferenity of tlie
atmofphere, accompanicd with a refreihing breeze after a gentle rain, whicli had fallen in
the night; and, from the goodnefs of the road, I concluded it would not be fatiguing;
more efpecially as it was on a gradual defcent to the city. I, therefore, fet off before the
early
T H E RHIETIAN ALPS. 6I
early hours of fun-rife had paiTcd away. The morning fpread upon the mountains thofe
velvet lights, which foon after took a rtiore vivid hue, and the vapours, forming a tranfparent
medium, began to difcover through their thinner veil a fine purple tint, which liad
overfpread the tops of the mountains; and is one of tlie moft pleafing hues that beautify
thofe lofty ftations. The oppofite peaks, being covered with fnow, dartedj as it were,
by the.refleftion of the fun-beams, fparks of fire of variegated colours. All nature
feemed to rejoice at tlie return of that glorious luminary. The aerial fongftcrs had.
already announced his approach by their delightful notes, aiid the rural inhabitants, by
bufy preparations for their daily labour. As I appr6ached Mattrey, a fmall town at
fome diftance from Steinach, the country began to unfold freih beauties; the hawthorn,
every where in bloom, diffufed the moft fragrant odor on whatever furrounded it. I was
pleafed with the bleating of the lambs, who, capering, followed their dams to the neighbouring
meadows, which are particularly beautiful, and run ilielving from the adjacent
hills that border tlie road. Flocks of fheep were every where hanging on their green
fteeps, and herds of catrle occupied the lower grounds.
THE COWS alfo, by their lowing, feemed to invite the milVmnid, in order to repay her
cares during the winter. To add to the pleafure of the fcene, tlie rural and harmonious
founds of the ofier flute, made ufe of by the Tyrolefe fhepherds, were heard from the
neighbouring mountains, as they tended tlieir flocks. Thofe flutes are of a peculiar conftruition;
being no more than one inch and a half in diameter, and five or fix feet in
length, conveying acrofs the country, through the craggy openings of the adjacent rocks,
tlie moft enchanting founds. Every thing around breathed an air fo calm, and infpircd.
fuch an idea of being fequeftered from the cares and commerce of life, that thofe fcenes
afforded me a thoufand charms; and I felt as if it had been the firft time of my
enjoying fuch happinefs and tranquillity: though, accuftomed, as I have been, to a
country fimilar to this, I had frequently experienced the fame fenfations. But the
beauties of nature never fatiate thofe who know properly how to value them. Filled
with admiration at the pifturcfquc and cnchanting views with which I was furrounded,
I advanced much quicker tha:i I imagined, and found myfelf imperceptibly at Mattrey;
which, I have already obferved, is a fn\all town, built on the fpot where formerly ftood
the ancient city of Matrciuni. This city was deftroyed by the Bavarians about the year 800.
The town of Mattrey is feated on the b;mks of the Sill, which flows witli great rapidity.
It is fliekered on the oppofite fide by a huge calcareous mountain, whicli is remarkably
ftccp from its very fummit, and does not contain any marine fubftances. Soon after
quitting that town, I croffcd the fmall torrent of Langs, wliofe ferruginous water tinges
of a deep yellow the ftones which form the bed of the river, as is frequently the cafe in
die Alps. On die right I paffed the road which leads to the city of Hall, on the river
Inn.
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