, as it were, self-regulating in their supplies of water to the
plains. And the Mont Blanc range itself is but a portion of the great
glacial world of Switzerland, the area occupied by which is computed at
900 square miles. Two-thirds of these send their waters to the sea
through the channel of the Rhine. The most extensive of these glaciers
is the Aletsch glacier, which is fifteen miles in length. It is said
that above six hundred distinct glaciers have been reckoned in
Switzerland.

This, good reader, is but a brief reference to the wonders of the
glacial world. It is but a scratching of the surface. There is a very
mine of interesting, curious, and astonishing facts below the surface.
Nature is prodigal of her information to those who question her closely,
correctly, and perseveringly. Even to those who observe her carelessly,
she is not altogether dumb. She is generous; and the God of Nature has
caused it to be written for our instruction that, "His works are
wonderful, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."

We may not, however, prolong our remarks on the subject of ice-rivers at
this time. Our travellers at Chamouni are getting ready to start, and
it is our duty at present to follow them.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE FIRST EXCURSION.

"A Splendid morning!" exclaimed Dr George Lawrence, as he entered the
_Salle a manger_ with an obviously new alpenstock in his hand.

"Jolly!" replied Lewis Stoutley, who was stooping at the moment to
button one of his gaiters.

Lewis was addicted to slang, not by any means an uncommon characteristic
of youth!

"The man," he said, with some bitterness, "who invented big buttons and
little button-holes should have had his nose skewered with a
button-hook. He was an ass!"

In order to relieve his feelings and accomplish his ends, Lewis
summarily enlarged the holes with his penknife.

"And _round_ buttons, too," he said, indignantly; "what on earth was the
use of making round buttons when flat ones had been invented? A big
hole and a flat button will hold against anything--even against Scotch
whins and heather. There, now, that abominable job is done."

"You are fond of strong language, Lewie," said Lawrence, as he examined
the spike at the end of his alpenstock.

"I am. It relieves my feelings."

"But don't you think it weakens your influence on occasions when nothing
but strong language will serve? You rob yourself of the power, you
know, to incre