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effect, to drag it over the naked and sandy soil, which sunk under
his feet with a sort of disagreeable crackling noise. We were
every moment obliged to leave the sledge, and walk on foot till
we came to ground covered with snow, or to a frozen lake or
river. This mode of travelling at last became extremely tiresome,
but having no alternative, we endeavoured to submit to it
cheerfully. In many places the snow had been melted on the middle
of the road, but still remained on the sides and at the edge of the
ditches. In those situations not infrequently the love of ease
induced us to try the expedient of risking the sledge on the edge of
the ditch, which constantly gave way, and our indolence availed
us nothing. The horse was unable to keep in the precise line,
and constantly drawing to one side or to the other, we were every
now and then overturned in the ditch, and plunged over the ears
in the snow.
This species of sledge, being extremely narrow, is very easily
overturned; but as it is at the same time very low, the fall is
accompanied with no manner of danger, and when the road is in
a proper state it goes very steadily and safely; but when the sun
has begun to melt the snow, and this partial thaw, as often
happens, is succeeded by a fresh attack of the frost, then there is
formed on the declivities of the road a polished mirror of ice,
which occasions much trouble and difficulty to the traveller. The
sledge in descending never keeps in a direct line, but is hitched
out of its proper direction by the smallest accident: when turned
sideways, it slips all at once out of the road, and is overturned
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