to the Glacier of Boissons.
In 1783, three others followed the same track, but were attacked by an
increasing disposition to sleep, from which they could only relieve
themselves by returning. M. Bouritt, of Geneva, made two ineffectual
attempts the same year, and the following year another, accompanied by
Saussure, his own son, and fifteen guides.

In June 1786, six men of the valley of Chamouny, renewed the effort to
reach the summit, but fatigue and cold forced them to renounce it; one
of them, however, Jacques Balmat, separating from his companions to
search for crystals, and having lost himself, was prevented by a storm
from rejoining them, and compelled to pass the night on the snow,
unprovided and alone; youth, however, and the vigour of his
constitution, saved his life. In the morning he perceived the top at
no great distance, and having the whole day before him to provide for
his descent, he examined leisurely the approaches to it, and observed
one, that appeared more accessible than any he had hitherto seen. At
his return to Chamouny, he was taken ill, in consequence of his great
exposure, and was attended by Dr. Paccard, the physician of the
village, to whom he communicated his discovery, and offered, in
gratitude for his care, to guide him to the summit of Mont Blanc.

In consequence of this, Jacques Balmat and Dr. Paccard, set out from
Chamouny the 7th of August, the same year, and slept on the top of the
Montagne de la Cote. The next day they experienced great difficulties
and excessive fatigue, and were long doubtful of the ultimate event of
their enterprise; but finally, at half past 6, P. M. they reached the
pinnacle of the mountain, in sight of many visitors, who were at
Chamouny, watching their progress with telescopes. The cold was so
intense, that provision was frozen in their pockets, the ink congealed
in their ink horns, and the mercury in Farenheit's thermometer, sunk
to eighteen and a half degrees. They remained about half an hour on
the top, regained at midnight the Montagne de la Cote, and after two
hours repose, set out for Chamouny, where they arrived at eight in the
morning, with their lips swollen, their faces excoriated, and their
eyes much inflamed; and it was some time before they recovered from
these disagreeable effects.

As soon as the intelligence of this success reached Saussure at
Geneva, he determined on making a similar attempt: which he in fact
did the same year, but was comp