British mountaineer (1786-1845). Autograph letter signed. London. 23.10.1835. 4to. 4 pp. on bifolium.
$ 3,738 / 3.500 €
(82339/BN53337)
To the English novelist Catherine Hutton (1756-1846), describing his ascent of Mont Blanc made on 25-27 August 1825: "I believe, Madam, you have never been in Switzerland; if your travels should have led you to explore that lovely country, I suppose you did not reach the summit of Mont-Blanc. I have been to that terrific point, & perhaps some few general observations on that journey may amuse you while you are eating your muffin [...] It is somewhat remarkable that since the creation of the world, we are but about 14 travellers, who, by good luck & perseverance, have succeded in gaining its summit: of these, three have been or are confined in mad houses, & therefore, should the incoherency of my letter be great, you will do me the honor to consider me as a fit person to join the unhappy trio [...] You have not, I dare say, read the account I published of the three days passed in these solitary & comfortless regions, where the ice of centuries is your bed, & the blazing vault of heaven your canopy.