. The first [-fifth] reader of the school and family series. us chasms, and covered with elevations of icy peakswhich are sometimes one or two hundred feet high. Theseglaciers not unfrequently work their way gradually downinto the lower valleys. 5. This is particularly the case in the valley of Chamouni,where the singular specta- cle is presented of huge ^ ^^^.i^^* pyramids of ice of a thou-sand fantastic forms in jux-taposition with the mostluxuriant pastures, or tow-ering in majestic grandeurin the midst of verdantforests. The snow-whitemasses, says Lyell, areoften relieved by a darkbackgrou
. The first [-fifth] reader of the school and family series. us chasms, and covered with elevations of icy peakswhich are sometimes one or two hundred feet high. Theseglaciers not unfrequently work their way gradually downinto the lower valleys. 5. This is particularly the case in the valley of Chamouni,where the singular specta- cle is presented of huge ^ ^^^.i^^* pyramids of ice of a thou-sand fantastic forms in jux-taposition with the mostluxuriant pastures, or tow-ering in majestic grandeurin the midst of verdantforests. The snow-whitemasses, says Lyell, areoften relieved by a darkbackground of pines, as inthe valley of Chamouni;and they are not only sur-rounded with abundanceof the wild rhododendronin full bloom, but they en-croach still lower into theregion of cultivation, andtrespass on fields wherethe tobacco-plant is flour-ishing by the side of thepeasants hut. 6. The lower extremities of these glaciers are sometimesexcavated by the melting of the ice into the form of immensegrottoes, adorned with the finest stalactic crystallizations,. Au Alpine Glacier. ;j88 WILLSON S FIFTU KEADEK. Pakt Vlll. whose brilliant azure tints are reflected on the foamingstreams and torrents which generally issue Ironi these cav-erns, forming altogether so beautiful and imposing a pictureas to defy the most faithful pencil to portray it scenes are beautifully described by Coleridge in his HYMN BEFORE SUNRISE IN THE VALLEY OF CHAMOUNI. 7. a. Ye ice falls! ye that from the mountains brow Adown enormous ravines .lope amain—Torrents, raethinks, that heard a mighty voice,And stopped at once amid their maddest plunge: a. Motionless toiTcnts^ ! silent cataracts! Who made you glorious as the gates of heavenBeneath the keen full moon ? Who bride tlie sunClothe you with rainbows ? Who, with living flowersOf loveliest blue, spread garlands at your feet ?God! let the torrents, like a ehout of nations,6. Answer! and let the ice plains echo God! God! sing, ye meadow streams
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1860
