To Juliet Pollock   1st. Aug. 1862¹

Gressoney Val du Lys² | 1^st. Aug. 1862.

My dear M^rs. Pollock.

I have been here for the last two days³ and I have many times thought of you during this period. I know you would like to be here in this lovely Italian valley.—one of the fairest that I have ever seen. There are green meadows, lichened rocks, a rushing river, a cascade a clear blue sky & noble peaks aspiring to it; while at a distance the slopes of the snow mountains appear & temper the warmth by their mere presence. It is a lovely spot; and one which I know you would enjoy. There is moreover one particular peak called the Grayhead⁴—a little over 10000 feet high, to the summit of which I know you could climb, I being your guide: and thence the whole panorama of the Alps unfolds itself. I have thought that you might come here on some festive occasion, bringing Maurice⁵ with you & live in pension here for three weeks. I tried the Matterhorn⁶ on the 28^th, and after some desperate climbing reached a great height.—The summit was in view & I felt as sure of winning it as if I already stood upon it. Cheerily we urged our way towards it, but when close to it came to a stand. The peril was so deadly that we sat down, gazed, debated, and finally gave it up.⁷ We planted flags far higher than human foot had previously attained and there they now flutter, emblems of failure instead of success.⁸ My companions were all caved & I dare not urge them—all except Bennen—but we could not attempt the thing alone. As far as I am concerned therefore the Matterhorn is inaccessible and may raise its head defiant as it has hitherto done.—the only unconquered & unconquerable peak in the whole Alps. I crossed the mountains to the place two days ago, & tomorrow I walk to Alagna.⁹ Afterwards I purpose steeping myself in the softer beauty of the Italian lakes. I look towards them with a kind of longing—my spirit is prepared for their repose by having dwelt so long amid the sterner glories of the Alps. Thence I return by Zurich & Bale.¹⁰ I have to spend a day or two in Paris & by the 20^th of August at the latest I shall be in London.

My health is good at present—In fact I do not think I was ever in a better condition for mere physical labour. My lungs are perfect: Bennen has stronger limbs than mine but I have stronger lungs than he has. He pants sooner than I do. As a pair we are well matched. I wish we had you here, one at each side raising you up the Grauhaupt.¹¹ Goodbye. Kindest regards to your husband¹² & love to all the boys.¹³

Yours as usual | John Tyndall

BL Add MS 63092, ff. 208–9