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Show 125. iimension of mountaineering included not just distant views, out near and middle distance scenes as well. There was no talk of spiritual truth, but much concern with the fine points of aesthetic distinctions. Whymper carried this question further, arguing that the highest alpine summits "do not usually yield the views that make the strongest and most permanent impressions." For him, impressions from such panoramic views were fleeting and vague, while the most lasting impressions were "those which are seen but for a moment." He preferred the middle distance above all, which was found neither at the summit, nor on some low prominence where the eighteenth century spectator had found, we tremble to survey the growing labors of the lengthened way the increasing prospect tires our wandering eyes Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise. - Pope, "Essay on Criticism," 1. 229-232 Whymper's own etchings are the best defense of his perspective, because they capture the series of natural scenes which the mountaineer encountered along the way to the summit. His defense was straightforward enough, because it suggested a right relation between man and mountain. I think the grandest and most satisfactory standpoints for viewing mountain scenery are those which are sufficiently elevated to give a feeling of depth, as well as height, which are lofty enough to exhibit wide and varied views, but not so high as to sink everything |