But the Matterhorn, after all, is not so fine a thing as the aiguille Dru, nor as any one of the aiguilles of Chamouni: for one thing, it is all of secondary rock in horizontal beds, quite rotten and shaly; but there are other causes of difference in impressiveness which I am endeavouring to analyze, but find considerable embarrassment in doing so.

There seems no sufficient reason why an isolated obelisk, one-fourth higher than any of them, should not be at least as sublime as they in their dependent grouping; but it assuredly is not.

For this reason, as well as because I have not found here the near studies of primitive rock I expected,--for to my great surprise, I find the whole group of mountains, mighty as they are, except the inaccessible Monte Rosa, of secondary limestones or slates,--I should like, if it were possible, to spend a couple of days more on the Montanvert, and at the bases of the Chamouni aiguilles, sleeping at the Montanvert." And so on, apologetically begging (as other sons beg money) for _time_, to gather the material of "Modern Painters," volume iv.
"I hope you will think whether the objects you are after are worth risks of sore throats or lungs," replied his father, for he had "personified a perpetual influenza" until they got him to Switzerland, and they were very anxious; indeed, Pfister's news from Martigny had scared his mother--not very well herself--into wild plans for recapturing him.
However, Osborne Gordon was going to Chamouni with Mr.Pritchard, and so they gave him a little longer; and he made the best use of his time: "_Monday evening (August_ 20, 1849).
"MY DEAREST FATHER, "I have to-night a packet of back letters from Viege ...

but I have really hardly time to read them to-night, I had so many notes to secure when I came from the hills.

I walk up every day to the base of the aiguilles without the slightest sense of fatigue; work there all day hammering and sketching; and down in the evening.