repose, a divine calm, over this deep retirement, which inclined me
to imagine it the extremity of the earth, and the portal of some
other region of existence; some happy world beyond the dark groves of
pine, the caves and awful mountains, where the river takes its
source! I hung eagerly on the gulph, impressed with this idea, and
fancied myself listening to a voice that bubbled up with the waters;
then looked into the abyss and strained my eyes to penetrate its
gloom, but all was dark and unfathomable as futurity! Awakening from
my reverie, I felt the damps of the water chill my forehead, and ran
shivering out of the vale to avoid them. A warmer atmosphere, that
reigned in the meads I had wandered across before, tempted me to
remain a good while longer, collecting the wild pinks with which they
are strewed in profusion, and a species of thyme scented like myrrh.
Whilst I was thus employed, a confused murmur struck my ear, and, on
turning towards a cliff, backed by the woods from whence the sound
seemed to proceed, forth issued a herd of goats, hundreds after
hundreds, skipping down the steeps: then followed two shepherd boys,
gamboling together as they drove their creatures along: soon after,
the dog made his appearance, hunting a stray heifer which brought up
the rear. I followed them with my eyes till lost in the windings of
the valley, and heard the tinkling of their bells die gradually away.
Now the last blush of crimson left the summit of Sinai, inferior
mountains being long since cast in deep blue shades. The village was
already hushed when I regained it, and in a few moments I followed
its example.

July 27th.--We pursued our journey to Inspruck, through the wildest
scenes of wood and mountain that were ever traversed, the rocks now
beginning to assume a loftier and more majestic appearance, and to
glisten with snows. I had proposed passing a day or two at Inspruck,