impossible to see the hidden crevasses gaping | urated a lump of sugar with brandy and to swallow up suddenly any one who breaks swallowed it, I announced myself ready to through the treacherous snow-bridges which proceed. I was exhorted to resume my mask cover them. We had now conquered all the and spectacles, but said it was simply imposreal difficulties of the pass, as a survey of the sible; besides, I did not feel the glare so very route before showed us nothing but gently much and the cool wind to my face was quite rising snow-fields, with an occasional sharp refreshing. I got on somewhat better for a pull for a hundred yards or so. while, and determined steadfastly to show no more signs of weakness. To keep to this resolution, however, I was obliged every time we halted to change leaders, to have recourse to my brandied lump of sugar; and though I gained temporary strength by this means, I do not think I improved my mental condition.

that I would never cross a glacier again; surely, one such tramp as this would give me a sufficiently lively idea of the high snows. Snow was snow, and there could be no variety in it, except indeed when we fell into hidden crevasses, which we all did several times; the rope, however, prevented all dangers from these tumbles. At last my mind began to wander. I fancied I was one of a gang of Russian prisoners chained together and condemned to exile in Siberia; that I had been already several months on the journey, and had many more before me. I thought the change of leaders was the relief of the guards, and that I must not complain or it would be the worse for me. The time when I had not been tramping through soft snow, and when life was pleasant to me, seemed as long past, as did the time when he was not being flogged to Somerville, the soldier, during his agony. I was aroused from my despair by the cheerful yodel of my friends which announced our arrival at the summit. I thought

Though we had no more difficult obstacles to encounter, we found immediately, on starting again, that we should require our whole stock of patience and pluck to enable us to gain the summit, as the snow grew softer and we plunged deeper into it every moment. Although I was fifth on the line, I observed I made the most solemn resolutions to myself that I broke in oftener than the others through not having acquired the knack of planting my feet flatly and softly on the snow. I was much inconvenienced, too, by my mask, which did not fit properly, and was constantly slipping down and dragging my spectacles off my eyes; and it served to make me so dreadfully hot that in my despair I determined to brave all consequences, and removed the obnoxious articles from my face. I kept as close to the man before me as I could, to take advantage of his shadow; I looked doggedly on the ground, and trod exactly in his footmarks. We all soon began to break in at every step, and I found this some slight relief. As the foremost men had the work of wading and treading down the snow for those who followed, we occasionally stopped to change leaders, and let the guide who brought up the rear go in front. During one of these pauses, I asked the hunter if a certain rise close in front of us was the summit. Never shall I forget the despair which came over me at his energetic reply, "Mein Gott, nein; wann | for an instant that it was the emperor's reSie da sind haben Sie noch drei Stunden." prieve, and sank down exhausted and thankful I felt inclined to throw myself down then and on the snow, and was soon in a sound sleep. there, careless of what became of me. I had I really think I had been half asleep before, by this time a splitting headache, and felt and that dreams mingled with my waking very sick; my want of condition was begin- consciousness. ning to tell terribly upon me, and I thought My companions, who were quite fresh, what a fool I had been to bring all this upon thought it better to leave me alone for a myself for the sake of a cricket match. I while, and actually made an expedition on even ventured to tell my companions how seedy I felt. I was recommended to take a good drink of tea, and they kindly called a halt to allow me to recover myself. My bottle was about three parts full, and they told me to fill it up with snow to cool it. I felt revived on the instant; and, when I had sat

their own account to obtain a view from a neighboring summit, leaving one of the guides to smoke his pipe and watch over my welfare. My face was covered up, and I was softly laid upon plaids. I was awakened when the party returned, and felt much refreshed by my snooze; but I think still more by the con

sciousness that the climbing was all accom- the ice at the level of his shoulder to give

plished. The effects of the brandy had gone off, and I found I could eat heartily.

Immediately below us there appeared a snow-slope, which, notwithstanding its soft state, was voted practicable for a glissade. I was given in charge of one of the guides, who sat down, and I sat behind him. I trusted everything to him, and we arrived quite safe at the bottom of the slope, which was some hundreds of feet in length. I was so exhilarated by the ease and rapidity of the descent, that I changed my opinion of Alpine snow on the instant; and, instead of determining never to go on it again, thought I would in future only cross passes the time required for making which was well known, so that I should never find the snow in so bad a state as we had done that day. Our hunter told us that we should have to descend an ice-fall, which there was no means of avoiding; and we soon came to it. Then began the most exciting work I ever had-so much so, that all sense of fatigue left me, and I entered into the business con amore. Although the hunter was the only one of the party who had been down the pass hefore, I observed that he gave up the leadership here to the Chamounix guide, who was a most experienced iceman, though he did not appear to me to be a particularly good rock-climber. There is no regular way down an icefall, as the crevasses change from day to day, and a general knowledge of icework is of more importance than a local acquaintance with the pass. I certainly could not have thought it possible that men could pass unharmed among the toppling crags and gaping rifts through which we threaded our

them a stepping-place in their descent. He never lost an inch of ground; and we found ourselves always getting lower, though we had to wind about a good deal. On one occasion he thought he should have to retreat a little, as he deemed the crevasse in front too wide to leap. No sooner had he said this than I jumped over. The breadth was not so very great; but the drop was considerable, and the others hesitated to follow. I called to William to pitch over the knapsackswhich he did at once; and, as I caught them in succession, the guides fairly laughed with delight, and said they had never seen such a thing done before, and declared themselves ready to go to the end of the world with us. I immediately thought how my cricketing had fitted me for my excursion, instead of being a hindrance. The others jumped over in succession. After this feat we sat down to rest a bit. I asked the hunter how much longer we should be in the ice-fall? He said, "Two hours," and after a pause added, " But, if you stop here four, that will make it six "-a remark which brought me to my legs at once. He proved to be right in his calculations, for cutting steps and heading round crevasses takes up much time, with small results in direct progress to show. When we were free from the entanglement of the fall, we proceeded at a brisk pace down. the more level part of the glacier. There were still frequent crevasses to jump, and, as the excitement diminished, I began to feel my fatigue return; but, as I was assured that three hours would bring us to our inn, I kept up my pluck as well as I could. I found, however, that going down-hill caused The large blocks of ice, now softening in the my new boots to rub my toes in a very disaafternoon sun, were crashing down in thun- greeable manner, and blisters were soon added der every ten minutes; but our guide seemed to my fatigue; but I held on my way uncomto have an instinct for safe places, and only plaining, though in pain and weariness. At once did he think it necessary to pass under last the welcome sight of the hotel appeared any blocks the slope of which threatened a immediately below us; a yodel and a pistolfall; and here he exhorted us to hasten, lest shot, to announce our arrival, brought all we should be crushed beneath the frowning the loungers, guides, and tourists, to the masses. I was thoroughly carried away by door; and many were the conjectures as to the excitement of the work, and was much the route we had come. When we got lower congratulated by William on my recovery we came to a path which zigzagged considerfrom the effects of the niedel. Sometimes we ably, and I thought I would make a shorthad to let our leader down an ice-block with cut down. Whilst attempting this, and dea rope and, when safely landed below, he scending carelessly, I stepped upon a slippery would cut steps for those who were to follow pine-root, and instantly tumbled forward, or hold his alpenstock horizontally against striking my breast violently against the

way.

ground, and having my waistcoat much torn | skin, which rendered the process so agonizing, by a dead branch lying near. I felt half- that I fairly gave in after having shaved one stunned; happily no bones were broken, or much damage done; but I received another lesson in going carefully, even in places apparently the most safe.

side of my upper lip. I wondered if I could manage to singe the rest of my beard, but had not pluck enough to light a match and try that expedient. With a groan I turned When we arrived and announced that we into bed again, and thought with terror on had made the pass from the Steinthal, loud the figure I should cut in public, and the were the congratulations on all sides; the land- quizzing of William; for I dared not hope lord brought out a bottle of his best wine, and he was in as bad a plight as myself, as he had insisted on our drinking it then and there. worn his veil and spectacles throughout the We were decidedly the heroes of the hour, passage of the snow. I fell asleep, and awoke and I went to bed about nine o'clock, after a to find him smiling over me. His "Well, capital supper, in a high state of satisfaction. old fellow, how do you feel this morning?" I was soon asleep, and, alas! soon awake clicited such a groan that his heart was softagain. My burnt face, and the amount of ened; and when he perceived that I could wine I had drunk since my arrival, made me not bear to keep my eyes open, he told me to quite feverish. In vain I drank tumbler after cheer up, and that if I wore some darkened tumbler of water to quench my thirst. I spectacles for a day or two my eyes would could slumber for a few minutes only at a soon be right again—that I had better get up time; my old fancies of the Siberian pilgrim- and put a good face upon it (a good face inage returned with every kind of aggravated deed; how I wished I could!). He said he had horror; the crevasses into which 1 tumbled ordered breakfast at eight o'clock, and asked were transformed into oubliettes, from which me if he should send me up any hot water to I was dragged only to endure fresh tortures, shave with. I said, "Yes, please," with of which being beaten on my breast with rage at my heart. He came up again presclubs, and on my face with nettles, being bas- ently with a pair of spectacles, and I got up tinadoed on the soles of my feet, and having and made my appearance at the breakfastpepper thrown in my eyes, formed a part, table. There was a large party assembled, William and the hunter being the chief tor-mostly English; and I thought I observed an mentors. I dreamed that a tyrant had con- amused look on their faces as I entered. demned me to cross a glacier without any pro- However, I could hardly see them, and knew tection from clothing, and that my whole body they could not see my eyes; so I did not feel was being scorched by the glare of sun and so much exposed as I otherwise should have snow. At last I was kept awake by the ex- done. I noticed they often asked each other cursionists who were getting up at 2 A.M.- for the "niedel," and felt at once that the thin wooden partitions of the hotel mak- William had been amusing himself at my exing their every movement audible. The pense, as they were generally smiling when noise lasted till daylight, when I got up to my great goggle eyes were turned towards examine my burning face in the glass. With them inquiringly to see if they were quizzing the exception of a broad white band at the me. After breakfast a stroll was proposed top of my forehead where my hat had pro- neighboring waterfall, William malitected me, it looked like a boiled lobster; and ciously reminding me not to forget my sketchI felt much as the poor animal must do during ing materials. I felt quite angry with him, the process of being cooked. The whites of and made an excuse of my blistered feet for my eyes were pink, and I could hardly bear remaining at home. The fact is, I was so even the yet dim light; my lips were swollen stiff that I do not think I could have walked to twice their natural size, and nearly as black two miles; so I laid down on the grass in as ink; and the state of my beard, unshorn front of the hotel, and solaced myself with for three days, added to my frightful appear- my pipe as well as I could. My face was ance. This, however, I thought I could soon covered with pimples which exuded water rectify, and proceeded, not without some sat- copiously; and I had to purchase a veil, as isfaction in thinking of William's prophecy, the burning of the sun was intolerable. Readto divest myself of my superfluous hair. I ing was out of the question; and, as I could had not calculated on the blistered state of my not enjoy the scenery, my day was miser

to a

Emily Jones" on one

able enough. When my companions re-sight of the name " turned, I found they had made an engage- of the packages he had brought. She, then, ment with some other enthusiasts to attempt was coming; she would see me in my hideous the ascent of the Dreisennenspitz-a peak deformity! No, not if I could help it. I which has long been an object of desire to closed with the vetturino at once, hurried the mountain-maniacs, but has hitherto defied into the hotel, called for my bill and a sheet their efforts. I refused to join the expedi- of paper-on which I wrote a few lines to tion, which was to last two days; and it was William, saying it was too bad of him to agreed that I should await my friends' re- serve me such a trick as he had, and that I was off to make the ascent of Mont Blanc (nothing was really farther from my thoughts, as I had mentally vowed that my next walking-tour should be in Holland), but that I would wait a few days at Vevay to hear what he was about.

turn.

They started the next day, which was to me like the previous one, except that the matter exuded from my face was yellow like the yolk of an egg. On the third day I had turned completely black; the skin of my face was so tight that I could neither eat, speak, nor laugh without the greatest pain; and, as to blowing my nose, it was a thing not to be attempted. My poor lips were gaping with fissures, and I felt myself an object of wonder, as well as of pity, to all beholders; my eyes, however, were quite well again, and I could leave off my spectacles.

As I passed the door of the public room on my way out, I heard Emily exclaim, “I do declare, William and John are here; how delightful! and they have made a new pass, and propose to call it " She bungled so over the name that I was out of earshot before she had mastered it; so the pain of hearing the words from her lips was spared My friends did not come back as I had ex-me. I drew my veil over my face and buried pected, but I was in no hurry for them. On myself in the carriage, which drove off imthe fourth morning, when I looked in the mediately. I picked up my portmanteau at glass, I observed that the black burnt skin Interlachen, and proceeded to Vevay, where was peeling off in strips, so that I presented I spent many days in the delightful hotel, the appearance of a half-shaved zebra, and I thought I was more frightful than ever; but the pain was gone, and life no longer a burden. Before leaving for his expedition William had entered our names in the hotel-book, with a long account of the new pass. described it as an easy walk of twelve hours, if the snow was in good condition, and proposed exercising the privilege of a discoverer. to name it the "Niedelundbreijoch." I knew he had done this to quiz me, and felt accordingly.

the " Trois Couronnes," fishing, bathing, sketching, and boating to my heart's content. My beauty was restored, my face clean shaven, and my person faultlessly got up. William had written saying that he had gone off to He Italy, and that I had better take care of myself. I was doing so to my entire satisfaction; so I dismissed him from my mind at once. He did not enter into any account of his excursion; so I judged it had been a failure. I was getting somewhat tired of staying in one place, and of having no society except that of the chance acquaintances of the table d'hôte, when, on looking over the visitors' book, I found the names of Emily and her friends. I lost no time in inquiring for them, and found them at breakfast in a private room. Emily looked hard at me with evident surprise, and exclaimed, "Why, John, how well you are looking! They told me-" and then she stopped short and smiled. I complimented her in return, and sat down to breakfast with them. I heard all about William's adventures; he had returned the evening I had left without accomplishing the desire of his soul. With much labor the party had climbed what they imagined to be

Whilst I was lounging outside the hoteldoor, beginning to think the party of excursionists must be lost,-as they had been absent for four days,—I observed a vetturino drive up with a carriage drawn by four horses. He had evidently brought a large party, as there was plenty of luggage. I asked him where he was going; he said he had only been engaged to come as far as the hotel with a party who had diverged to see the waterfall, and were following on foot. He said he was going back to Interlaken as soon as possible; did I want to go? he would take me for the price of a one-horse trap. Just as he made this offer, I caught

the highest peak of the mountain, and dis- became a member of the Alpine Club, and covered the true summit about thirty feet attended a dinner a few days afterwards. above them, but separated from them by an Here I gave a flaming account of the new impassable gulf. There was nothing for it pass I had made, never mentioning William's but to descend and attack the hill again next name, and proposed to call it the "Steinday from the other side. Their second at- joch." (I knew he intended writing a paper tempt was less successful than the first, as about it, so I thought I would take the wind the clouds prevented their seeing the right out of his sails.) I further said that I indirection to take, so that the Dreisennenspitz tended next year to ascend the Dreisennensstill rears its unconquered head above the pitz or perish in the attempt; and I greatly Sennenthal. ridiculed a party who, I was told, had this year attempted it from the northern side, which every one knew only led to one of the secondary peaks which had been previously scaled. I have not seen or heard from William since his return, and cannot help thinking, from his prolonged silence, that he has heard of my proceedings, and objects to the manner in which I have behaved; but still he cannot question my right to sign myself I

I was easily persuaded to join my friends, who were travelling homewards by way of the Rhine. Emily and I had many a pleasant ramble among well-rememb.red scenes, during which she revealed to me the many cutting things that William had said about my mountain-sickness, and the ludicrous description he had given of my personal appearance. I determined to have my revenge immediately on my arrival in London.

A. C.

being known and thought of. Whether we should be glad or sorry, we leave as a question between Mr. Carlyle and Paternoster Row.-Reader.

A WRITER in the August number of the Revue Continentale, a quarterly periodical published in Ghent, of size and note sufficient to rank with our quarterlies, makes the following remarks: "There were published during the year 1862 about 11,000 works in Germany; about 11,500 A WRITER in Notes and Queries quotes a docin France; but in England only 4,800. This ument given in Russell's "History of Guildford," disproportion between England and France jus- published in 1801, to show that the word tifies itself to a certain extent in this respect," cricket," as the name of our national game, that in England there are none of those pam- is much older than is usually supposed, Strutt, phlets and mediocre romances which shoal in in his "Sports and Pastimes," placing it at the France. English works, comparatively and in commencement of the eighteenth century. The general, carry it in merit over French works. word occurs in an affidavit respecting a 66 Garden It is, moreover, incontestable that English liter- withelde from the Towne," anno 40 Elizabeth, ature, despite the attacks of which it has for in which "John Derrick, gent., one of the some time been the object, is making giant Queen's Majestie's coroners for the county of strides, and, before long, will have nothing to Surrie, saith: When he was a schollar in the envy the most favored nations." There is some-free-school of Guldeforde, he and several of his thing in these remarks that must strike people fellowes did runne and play there at crickett and here as odd. We had hardly fancied, for exam- other plaies.' ple, that there had been so much malevolence towards our literature abroad as the writer seems to speak of. Nor had we been fully aware of THE Wochenchronik says: "Messrs. Broadour happy freedom from the pest of pamphlets wood and Sons, who, in the forty-six years from and silly novels. The writer, however, is per- 1780 to 1826, manufactured 48,348 pianos, durfectly correct in his report of the number of pub-ing the subsequent thirty-five years, to 1861, lications in Great Britain for 1862 (unless, sent forth the astounding number of 75,700 new indeed, he gives us credit for a little more than instruments. In London alone 23,000 pianos are we deserve, for our estimate makes the total annually manufactured.” number of publications in Britain for 1862 only 3,913, exclusive of parliamentary papers and the daily and weekly press); and, if his statistics of the book-trade in Germany and France are equally correct, our shortcoming of the German and the French rate of book-production is a fact worth

OWING to the manifold ghosts and spectres now stalking about on the boards of the Paris theatres, people there no longer call them the "Spectacles," but the " Spectracles."