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Document number: 1717
Date: 28 Sep 1828
Recipient: GAISFORD Henrietta Horatia Maria, née Feilding
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA28-72
Last updated: 1st May 2012

Geneva
28th September 1828

My Dear Horatia

I have been for the sake of exercise to three mountains near Geneva celebrated for their views. Last Monday I ascended the Voirons, on Thursday the Salevè, and on Saturday the Mole. These walks have done me a great deal of good. I will describe the last to you first. I began by driving 18 miles to Bonneville, so by the time I began to climb the mountain it was eleven o’clock. I got an honest peasant for my guide, who told me there were two roads, one short & steep., the other long & easy – I chose the long & easy one, which proved however so exclusively steep at times, that I should suppose the other one must be absolutely impracticable. We began by going up a stony path which brought us to a sort of mountain plain; We then descended a good deal and took a large circuit among woods and fields – then climbed again the stony bed of a torrent. Here I judged we were halfway up. It began to rain and I thought of giving up the attempt. We took shelter under a bush, the shower passed and we proceeded – I was of opinion the guide had lost the road, as we had got into such a scrambling place, but in fact there is no path any farther. I determined to follow my own ideas so got out of the ravine, upon the turf, and went straight up. This proved extremely steep, we were obliged to go up zigzag and frequently repose – I thought it never would end; In general when you approach the top of any mountain its steepness diminishes and it gradually flattens; this is not the case with the Mole, which rises up into a sharp point. So all on a sudden we had a coup de théâtre <1> we found ourselves on the top quite unexpectedly, and a precipice before us, as the other side of the mountain is quite abrupt. This peak is reckoned 4530 feet above the Lake of Geneva we were 3 hours ½ in ascending it, and descended it in less than 2 hours –

The view of all the mountain is very fine; among others you see the distant Matterhorn, which is the neighbour of Mt Rosa, & one of the finest of the Alps. In ascending we had been broiled with the sun, at the top it was bitter cold which made the position untenable. I acted as guide in the descent, & proved a good one, as I followed the ridge of the mountain on the turf, avoiding all stony places, & we found it extremely easy & rapid. We reached Bonneville & I set out in my char for Geneva, the sun being first set; – but we had not proceeded far when it suddenly became pitch dark, which reduced us to a foots pace. I got out & walked a long time by the side of the char. The sky was very gloomy indeed, the wind rising high, distant lightning, and every now & then some drops of rain – It was a night that would have pleased Ossian, the forms of some mountains were dimly seen thro’ the gloom. My worries were dissipated by our entering the gate of Geneva.

Tomorrow morning early I set out on an excursion to the valley of Sixt & as it is now very late & I must have some sleep I cannot tell you any more of my adventures at present.

Your Affte Brother
Henry Talbot

Write to me at Paris, Dieppe, & Brighton. I think of leaving this the 8th or 9th.

Miss Horatia Feilding
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire
Post Office
Truro
Cornwall
(Angleterre)


Notes:

1. A sudden and sensational turn of events.

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