of the blood into the thyroid gland of the throat, which is the seat of the disease in question.*

From the windows of my bed-room, which looked immediately on Mont Blanc, I enjoyed the various effects of the moon and clouds as they passed over the glorious scene. Though I was much overcome with fatigue, I could not consent to resign the object that absorbed me, and I continued fixed in delighted contemplation long after the rest of our party had lost their fatigues in sleep.

Your's, &c.

* Those who wish for further information on the subject, may consult Mr. Coxe's valuable work, in which the different theories are most ably discussed, and experiments adduced, which go far towards the establishment of his own. An interesting and remarkable fact is noticed in the History of Java, recently published by my re lative, and fellow traveller, Sir Stamford Raffles, late Lieut-Governor of that island. "Here, as in Sumatra," he observes, "there are certain mountainous districts, in which the people are subject to those large wens in the throat termed in Europe, goitres. The cause is generally ascribed by the natives to the quality of the water; but there seems good ground for concluding that it is rather to be traced to the atmosphere. In proof of this it may be mentioned, that there is a village near the foot of the Teng'gar mountains in the eastern part of the island, where every family is afflicted by this malady, while in another village, situated at a greater elevation, and through which the stream descends which serves for the use of both, there exists no such deformity. These wens are considered heredi. tary in some families, and seem thus independent of situation." Whether the water in this district has been analyzed or not, is not stated. Perhaps Mr. Coxe would say, that in the upper village the stream was too near its source to be sufficiently impregnated with the matter by which the goîtres are produced.

LETTER XXI.

Lausanne.

MY DEAR

Nil mortalibus arduum est, was the adage of the Roman poet, and it seemed to us that we had in some measure demonstrated its truth in our journey from Chamouni to Martigny. If we thought the way from St. Martin's to Chamouni difficult and dangerous, I know not what must be said of that from Chamouni to Martigny, for it is certainly much more so. But a la route, to speak

We left Chamouni at

in the true travelling style. seven o'clock, with the promise of a most auspicious day. We were upon the whole, a goodly company. Lady R― seated upon a chair, and attended by Reight sturdy guides, who took it in turn to bear her, led the van of our party. The other ladies followed in a car-a-banc, with Mons. Crotet as their special attendant, and a guide each; guide each; and we, mounted upon mules, brought up the rear. Sundry idle people of the village followed us, hoping, perhaps in the course of the day, to be taken into our service, as in some of the difficult parts of the road their assistance might be wanted. It was only for a few miles that the ladies enjoyed their carriage, being then obliged to mount the mules, and take their chance with the rest of us. I must, however, mention to their credit, the heroic resignation

with which they made so unwelcome an exchange, and underwent the future fatigues of that day's perilous and toilsome journey.

We proceeded up the vale of Chamouni, through the little village de Bois, having Mont Breven on our left, and passing, as we advanced Montanvert, and the glaciers de Bois, and d'Argentiere on our right. The last-mentioned glacier we had not seen before. It derives its name from its silvery appearance, and is, perhaps, as elegant and beautiful as any in the Alps. We passed through the village of Argentiere, a few scattered cottages at the foot of the glacier, and, turning abruptly to the left, continued to ascend, till by a small farm house, we dismounted at the suggestion of the guides, and having reached the summit of a little verdant hill, on the right of the path, we saw the greater part of the vale of Chamouni, with the colossal mountains that rise on either hand, stretching in sublime perspective to our view. High in the midst towered Mont Blanc; around him were his many needles, and his subject Alps, while the glaciers de Bois, and d'Argentiere, glittered in the sunbeams like transparent glass. Immediately to our left, rose the gigantic Col de Balme, to the height of nearly 8000 feet above the level of the sea; and, at the upper extremity of the valley, by the little glacier, and village de Tours, the infant stream of the Arve was seen to roll, having just emerged from its dark and icy source beyond them. It was a magnificent landscape. The coup d'œil was most grand and

imposing, but there was a melancholy feeling mingled with the gratification it inspired. I could not but reflect, that deeply as these scenes had interested me, I was about to leave them, in all probability, for ever; and though my acquaintance with them was of such recent date, yet they had become too much endeared to me, to be resigned without regret. I ought not to be ashamed or backward to acknowledge, that I am indebted to that wondrous vale for impressions of the grandeur and the condescension-the power and the skill of the Creator, of which I was before unconscious, and the remembrance of which I shall hope ever to cherish with emotions of reverence and gratitude. "Lo, these are parts of his ways-and how small a portion is heard of him; but the thunder of his power who can understand."

Turning with regret from this last look on Chamouni, we proceeded on our way, and quickly entered the romantic valley of Valorsine. There is another route to Martigny over the Col de Balme, and that route is usually preferred on account of the fine views which it commands. It is also less rugged, though more steep, than that by which we travelled. But our guides assured us it was too early in the season to attempt the Col de Balme, and we were, therefore, content to pursue the more wild and intricate path of the Tête Noire, and the Mauvais pas.

On our entrance into the valley of Valorsine, we had to cross a small field of frozen snow, so imperfectly had the influence of the sun been felt in that

elevated region at this advanced season of the year. It was rather a formidable undertaking; for while in some places it was sufficiently hard to bear the tread of the mules, in others the beasts sunk up to their middle at every plunge. The guides advised us in this case to let the mules choose their own path, and we were much amused to observe the method which they adopted to ascertain the best. They put their noses close to the surface, and following the indications of their smell, never failed to plant their feet upon the firmest spots.

You cannot well picture to yourself a more secluded and romantic vale than that into which we had now ascended. Ascending into a valley, may be a new form of expression to you, yet I assure I you it is quite correct, for the valley of Valorsine is higher than the loftiest of the Cambrian mountains, and would, perhaps, surpass in elevation the proudest summits of the Grampian hills. In winter it' must be a cold and desolate spot. The houses of the peasantry are raised on beams, to allow for the depth of the snow, which, notwithstanding this precaution, our guides assured us sometimes nearly. covers them. How much they are exposed to the destructive influence of avalanches and rocks, dislodged by the fury of the elements from the overhanging cliffs that encompass them, is indicated by the curious barriers with which they have defended their little church. The route from Chamouni to Martigny is impracticable in winter. How forlorn and desolate must be the condition of these aerial villagers, during its long and dreary months! No

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