A LADY'S TOUR ROUND MONTE ROSA.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

The principal characteristics of Monte Rosa: 1. Its height; 2. The number of its peaks; 3. Its geological formation; 4. Its inhabitants of German and Italian origin; 5. The difference of vegetation on the Swiss and Italian sides — Advice on a Lady's dress and equipments for the Alps - Side saddle · Books - Italian guides Passes Modes of approaching Monte Rosa The contrast exhibited in the scenery of the Northern and Southern sides - Mr. Ruskin's "Bird'seye view."

HAVING successfully accomplished and thoroughly enjoyed the tour of MONTE ROSA, I desire to give, in the following pages, the benefits of my experience to others, in the hope of inducing them, and especially members of my own sex, to follow my example, and visit the valleys which surround this magnificent mountain, some of which have been hitherto but little frequented. For that purpose I shall endeavour to narrate the occurrences and adventures of three visits paid to Monte Rosa, in which the complete circuit of the mountain was made. When the variety and beauty of this district, and particularly of the Italian valleys, are more fully known, the tide of visitors will no doubt set in strongly there, and fill the

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little inns to overflowing. New hostelries with better accommodation will then spring up in spots to which none but the most adventurous penetrate at present, merely because there is often no clean and comfortable restingplace to be found when the day's journey is finished.

Before giving an account of my adventures in accomplishing the tour of Monte Rosa, it will be well to call attention to some of those remarkable characteristics which distinguish this Queen of the Southern Alps from other mountains, and bestow on it charms peculiarly its own. They are described with great minuteness by De Saussure,* and the principal of them may be summed up as follows:

1st. Monte Rosa is the highest mountain in Europe with the exception of Mont Blanc, the latter being, according to the latest surveys, 15,744 feet, and Monte Rosa 15,284 feet, above the level of the sea.

2ndly. It is remarkable for the number of its lofty peaks, which are clustered together in a nucleus, which forms the summit, where huge chains of mountains meet and cross each other, and thence, as from a common centre, numerous valleys of exquisite beauty diverge on every side.

3rdly. There are several peculiarities in the geological formation of Monte Rosa. It contains numerous veins of gold; but the feature most important to tra

* Voyages dans les Alpes,' Partie Pittoresque des ouvrages de H. B. de Saussure, p. 320.