,„,all, from a degtee of torpor or Indifference, which I h.ve often experienced on the
top of the Alps, beyond a certain elevation, and more particularly after a storm. He
however, by a renewal of his solicitations, and the weather becoming tranquil, soon
decided on my accompanying him; when we immediately qnitted the beaten track, and
taking a narrow path, which led in a northern direction from the summit of the Prou,
turned with difficulty the basis of a lofty mountain, which serves as a support to an
extensive glacier, on the sides of which we for some time proceeded. In short, after an
hour and a half's walk, as painful as it was in many parts dangerous and terrific, we
reached the top of a hill, situated at the extremity of a valley not so contracted as the
former, the opposite end of which commands another glacier, that appeared to lose
itself in the clouds, and was, as he informed me, a branch of the Tzeudy, prior to its
junction with La V.lsorey. The view from thenee was, even at that honr of the day,
beautiful, and the contrast between the smiling verdure of the vale, in which were
dispersed a number of small chalets, and the immense glaciers and stupendous mountains
crowned with perpetual snow, which raise their spiry heads in the back-ground,
and seem to terminate the horizon at its northern extremity, was at once so singular and
majestic a sight, that I could not, though nearly worn out with fatigue, refrain from
taking a hasty sketch of a prospect which will ever remain in my memory, and which I
have sinec rectified as it now appears in N= XXI . No sooner had we gained the summit
of the above-mentioned hill, which likewise commanded the valley that contained
my companion's happiness, than we soon observed cattle grazing, and persons going in
and out of one of the chalets that I had previously noticed, and which was built against
a rock that considerably projects into the valley. The people, IVora every appearance,
displayed visible symptoms of anxiety and agitation, walking to and fro with hasty
steps, as if some accident had been occasioned by the late dreadful storm i but the
moment we were espied, they as instantaneously directed their course to the bottom
of the hill; on which, seeing my pilgrim change colour, and no longer able to contain
Hs feelings. I concluded that we were at last arrived at the happy spot, and asked whether
he knew those that were coming towards u s Y e s . " he hastily replied, with the
tear glistening in his eye. " those are indeed my parents, and that our dwelling, where,
for four months in the year, we bring our cattle to graze:" then, running a few steps,
as though he could have flown into their arms, he suddenly paused, and seeming to recollect
himself, a d d e d - " I go too fast for you i my impatience makes me forget myself;
but you must excuse me." Then pointing to a venerable old man, with a beard as
white as snow, " That." said he, " is my father ; tlie woman next to him is my mother;
the youth who supports the first, my brother ; and my sister follows ;—but where is my
Juliana? where is my beloved? What will become of poor Maurice (which was my
pilgrhn's name), should she be no more? Alas ! why have I gone to Rome, should she
be faithless ?"—Still we journeyed on ; and, as we walked with hasty steps, I tried to
tranquillise the agitated youth, who, on the approach of his father, forgot, for the moment,
every other sensation.—Good heavens, what a scene did I witness ! what amity,
cordiality, and affection I—sensations which are, in general, better felt than described;
though never so pure and untainted as by those, who, like these honest people,
have never been viriated or perverted by the vices of towns and cities. Their joy
flowed spontaneously from the heart, and so unmixed with insincerity, that, seeing me
the companion of their child, that introducdon was sufficient, and every token of affec
rion was equally lavished on me : in fine, after a thousand interrogatories, salutations.
&c. had taken place, we reached the humble habitation, a small and simple wooden
cottage, in which was visible a neatness and cleanliness, that, in my mind, is preferable
to gandiness and splendor. Here we found an excellent rural repast, such as
an anchorite would have boasted of : but still my poor Maurice remained in cruel
suspense. Perceiving their silence, and dreading to be informed, his conflict was
such, that I. who narrowly watched his every acrion. as well as turn of countenance,
dreaded the consequences. At last the good old man broke silence, by asking the
result of his journey, and whether he had succeeded Î Hereupon, without uttering a syllable,
he hastily got up, and snatching a small bundle which he had brought, took from
it some small pieces of reliques, and laid them on the table,~which the family no
sooner saw, than they instantly knelt round it; he then placed a paper next his father,
containing an indulgence for himself, family, and friends, having previously taken
out the permission or licence, which he put into his mother's hand, saying. " That
he now deemed this unnecessary, since his Juhana. the object of his love, who had
been the cause of his pilgrimage, and who must have known of his return, was no longer
for him ;"—then with a sigh, and a heart swelling with anguish, he screamed out. " She
must be dead, else thus she never could have acted ! " -Thes e words were scarcely
uttered, when a door next the chimney opened, and out rushed a female, who ran. elung
to his ncck, and fainted. The joke had nearly been carried too far; but with care she.
2 a