mouni in its truest longitude) 321/2
Average slope of Montanvert, from same point 391/2
Slope of La Cote, same point 361/2
Eastern slope of Pain de Sucre, seen from Vevay 33
Western " " " 361/2
Slope of foot of Dent de Morcles, seen from Vevay 381/2
" " Midi, " " 40

[99] Deut. xxi. 4. So Amos, vi. 12: "Shall horses run upon the rock;
will one plow here with oxen?"

[100] Is. lvii. 5, 6.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE MOUNTAIN GLOOM.

Sec. 1. We have now cursorily glanced over those conditions of mountain
structure which appear constant in duration, and universal in extent;
and we have found them, invariably, calculated for the delight, the
advantage, or the teaching of men; prepared, it seems, so as to contain,
alike in fortitude or feebleness, in timeliness or in terror, some
beneficence of gift, or profoundness of counsel. We have found that
where at first all seemed disturbed and accidental, the most tender laws
were appointed to produce forms of perpetual beauty; and that where to
the careless or cold observer it seemed severe or purposeless, the
well-being of man has been chiefly consulted, and his rightly directed
powers, and sincerely awakened intelligence, may find wealth in every
falling rock, and wisdom in every talking wave.

It remains for us to consider what actual effect upon the human race has
been produced by the generosity, or the instruction of the hills; how
far, in past ages, they have been thanked, or listened to; how far, in
coming ages, it may be well for us to accept them for tutors, or
acknowledge them for friends.

Sec. 2. What they have already taught us may, one would think, be best
discerned in the midst of them,--in some place where they have had their
own way with the human soul; where no veil has been drawn between it and
them, no contradicting voice has confused their ministries of sound, or
broken their pathos of silence: where war has never streaked their
streams with bloody foam, nor ambition sought for other throne than
their cloud-courtiered pinnacles, nor avarice for other treasure than,
year by year, is given to their unlaborious rocks, in budded jewels, and
mossy gold.

Sec. 3. I do not know any district possessing more pure or uninterrup