Thomas Hinchliff (1825 -1882) was a founder member of the Alpine Club, and became its president in 1875-7. He climbed during the so-called golden age of Alpine mountaineering. The present work, his only book on the subject, includes details of his ascents during the summers of 1854, 1855 and 1856, including those of Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc. Both Hinchliff's book and his own enthusiasm did much to foster appreciation of Alpinism, though his own climbing career was halted when he sustained a shotgun wound to his hand. An important and now uncommon work.