Tuesday August 20th, 1872

At a ¼ past eight Tuesday Aug 20th we four started and walked about a mile down the worst part of the Mountain, then the Ladies mounted their Mules looking remarkably well and in first class spirits, Mr M and Myself skipping down the Mountain like young lambs full of life and vigour from the fresh and beautiful air. At the top and the thoughts that the two ladies were ours, (Oh) what unhappy beings must Bachelors be; no one to sooth their sorrows, to comfort them or take them such a nice out as this.

We arrived at Cantine de Proz in good time, put the Mules to the carriage and off we started again, passing those dirty villages, arriving at Liddes we changed the mules for the grey Horse and Mule, we started again, the driver was an old hand, and we galloped down the road at such a rate it made the ladies shut their eyes and mouths, and really made me very nervous, the road is so very narrow in places, and we could see the precipices more than when we went up.

The people tie the corn in bundles, put two poles through, put it on the backs of the Mules, and walk behind them, to push and keep it on their backs, as they go up the sides of the Mountains, they gather the hay in the same way in all the hilly districts.

At one place between Liddes and Orsieres we meet a gentleman and a lady in a carriage, with a guide, when they saw us coming they stopped at a wide part of the road, where there was sufficient room to pass, the lady was smoking, she got out in a moment and stood against the Mountain enjoying her smoke, the gentleman keept his seat, we soon met another carriage with three gentlemen in, they got out as soon as they saw us, leaving the driver with the carriage in the road, and they on the side of the mountain, our Coachman laughed at them for being so frightened, away we went, and I tried to make him understand not to drive so fast, but he did not or would not understand at all, but drove away. 

When we got to Bovernier, in the Churchyard is a full size representation of our Saviour on the Cross with blood flowing from the head, side, hands, and feet, I could not ascertain whether it was wood or white marble it looked very well.

We arrived at Martigny at ½ past 2 being only 6 ¼ hours in coming back the 30 miles from the Hospice, the usual time allowed is from 8 to 9 hours, we stopped at Hotel de Clere (which is expensive) had a large bottle of Bass’s beer for which I paid 2 ½ franc’s that is 2/1, staying at Martigny and the Station till 27 past 6, when the train started. There are four Hotels here, the Railway Station is ½ mile from the town, on the right of the line, on an eminence stands La Batiaz a Castle of the Bishops of Lion erected by Peter of Savoy in 1260, dismantled in 1518, on the side of the Mountain at the back of the Hotel de Clere, is a Tower.

We bought some Photo’s and then quietly walked to the Station, where we were much annoyed with a small kind of gnat and thousands of them, the sting from them was sharp and painful, they were very tiresome. Then on for Vevay 50 miles, got here at ¼ past 9 a slow and tiresome ride, by Rail, walked to Hotel Belle Vue by ¼ past 10 after a most beautiful trip with the finest of weathers all happy and pleasant with the thoughts that we were favoured with one of the finest days possible.

In going to Mont St Bernard and one in returning, not a spot of rain, snow, or fog to mar our pleasure and a trip that many thousands of our Country men and women will never go; also should we be spared to be old, our children will sit round the fireside on a winters night, and enjoy our remarks and description of the Monks, Dogs &c. we saw at Mont Saint Bernard Aug 20 1872.