Section 26. DESCRIPTION OF A GLACIER.
Reading edition
I must now explain to you[1] what a glacier is. You see before you[2] thirty or forty mountain-peaks, and between these peaks what[3] seem to you frozen rivers. The snow, from[4] time to time melting and dripping down the sides of the mountain, and congealing in the elevated hollows between the peaks, forms a half-fluid mass, a river of ice[5], which is called (S. 4, N. 4) a glacier. As[6] the whole mass lies upon a slanting surface, and is not entirely solid throughout, it[7] is continually pushing, with a gradual but imperceptible motion, down[8] into the valley below.—Mrs. Beecher Stowe.
Notes in this chapter
Note 4 · When the agent from which the action proceeds is not mentioned, the English Passive Voice is often rendered by a reflective verb, or by the Note 1 · Use the 2nd pers. sing.Note 2 · Place the words ‘before you’ after the object.Note 3 · glaubst du zu Eis erstarrte Flüsse zu erblicken.Note 4 · which (App. § 16) from time to time melts, drips down on the mountain-sides (Bergabhänge), and congeals (gefrieren), etc., see S. 16, N. 4. Note 5 · Eisstrom, m.Note 6 · As = Since, da (App. § 16); to be entirely solid throughout, durch und durch fest sein.Note 7 · it — pushing, so senkt sie sich fortwährend; with a ... but, mit einer zwar ... doch.Note 8 · down — below, in das unten liegende Thal hinab.