Section 96. THE GLACIERS AT[1] SUNSET[2]. I.
Reading edition
At a distance these glaciers, as[3] I have said before, look[4] like frozen rivers (S. 26, N. 3); when[5] one approaches nearer, or when they press[6] downward[7] into the valley, they look[8] like immense crystals and pillars[9] of ice piled[10] together in every conceivable form. The effect[11] of this pile[12] of ice, lying (S. 48, N. 6) directly[13] in the lap of[14] green grass and flowers, is quite singular. Before we had entered[15] the valley, the sun had gone down; the sky behind the mountains was clear, and it[16] seemed for a few moments as if darkness[17] was rapidly coming on. But[18] in a few moments commenced a scene[19] of transfiguration, more[20] glorious than anything I had witnessed yet. The cold, white, dismal fields[21] of ice gradually changed[22] into hues[23] of the most beautiful rose colour[24]. A[25] bank of white clouds, which rested[26] above the mountains, kindled[27] and glared[28], as[29] if some spirit of light had entered into them.