The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-18 00:00:00

A Plea for Sweden.

(No. 4.)
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN'.
Srn,—ln addition to the cathedral, where the
coffins of numerous dead royal personages are to be
seen, the attention of the antiquary should be given
with respect to a singular church, distant about two
miles N.W. of the Observatory, at Stockholm,
which, placed in a picturesque position, consists
chiefly of a large round granite tower, and is sup-
posed by some persons to have been originally a
heathen temple.
It is near the new railway from Stockholm to Up-
sala, which will open on the 19th inst., and well de-
serves a visit, being one of the oldest churches in
Sweden.

Before leaving Stockholm I desired to see the
Royal Library, but at present it is open by special
permission to particular persons. It contains many
books and manuscripts, including a copy of " Spe-
culum Humaux Salvationis," printed in wood-cut,
before the invention of movable type, and " Cicero
do Officiis," printed on parchment in the year 1465.
Amongst the manuscripts is the Codex Aureus, being
a Latin translation of the four Gospels, written upon
white and violet-coloured parchment leaves. It ap-
pears, by a note in the Anglo-Saxon, that this
"Codex," was bought from heathen pirates.
Another valuable manuscript here is the Devil's
Bible, taken by Konigsmark, during the Thirty
Years' War in Prague. It is a large book, and
receives its title from a legend that a monk, sen-
tenced to death, saved himself by copying the whole
book, with Satanic assistance, in one night. Biblio-
graphers assert it was written from time extending
from the 9th to the 13th century.
The voyage from Stockholm to the port of Malmce,
opposite Copenhagen, occupied several days, as
stoppages occurred at Wisby, in the Isle of Goth-
land, at Kalmar, opposite Oland Island, at Carls-
crona, Ystad, and several minor ports.
At Wisby there are good specimens of architec-
ture remaining. A large part of the ancient wall,
with several lofty towers and the remains of several
churches, deserve more attention than time allowed
me to bestow upon them. This place is most inte-
resting, and it can be easily reached by steamer
from Stockholm. It has a good hotel and harbour,
and there are two ancient gateways in a complete
state of preservation,. also shady walks.
Kalmar is a busy seaport, with an old castle and
cathedral, and it has a terrace walk close to the sea,
well planted. Carlscrona, has a good harbour, and
is well fortified. It Contains a very wide street and
square, with several curiously-built churches. Also
a pretty cemetery, with a long row of poplars, ter-
minating by a temple, used as a church. The town
was especially interesting to me as the birthplace of
the late John Diderick Holm, of Highgate, the friend
of Coleridge, and of Spurzheim, and also the literary
executor of the latter gentleman.
Ystad contains some singularly-built bathing-
houses, built out into the sea, like small plans of
Noah's Ark. These communicate with the land by
means of raised wooden platform, and are a decided
improvement upon the old movable arks called
bathing-machines.

The weather, until recently, has been summerlike
and pleasant ; but Sweden should bo visited before
the end of August. Some one in each town capable
of speaking English can generally be found, and the
people are civil and obliging, also cleanly. The
coinage is simple, consisting of one dollar notes or
bills, valued at 13 pence each, and composed of 100
parts, called ore.
Copenhagen is distant from Malmo° about three

hours' sail by steam, and amongst its numerous
sights perhaps the plain grave of Thorwaldsen is the
most interesting. It is placed in the garden, which
is surrounded by the building containing his works.
These, as well as the picture-gallery in the palace,
which contains more than one portrait of this blue-
eyed son of genius, may be seen on Sundays at
certain hours, apparently without detriment to the
morals or happiness of the Lutheran population.
Three hours by sail or steam will carry the tra-
veller on to Elsinore, containing a large fortress
bristling with cannon, and filled With soldiers appa-
rently able to man them effectually. It is five
miles from the opposite coast of Sweden. In the
pleasure-grounds of Marienbyst, distant half a mile
eastward of this town, I visited the grave and
garden of Hamlet. The latter is simply a low
circular mound of earth, some six yards in
diameter, with a plain granite column about
four feet high standing in the centre. From
this spot are seen the Swedish coast and inter-
vening sea through the trees below. The grounds
contain walks and terraces, and a largo modern
building now used as a tavern. This is in the lower
part of thejrounds, beneath the part where the
grave of Hamlet is ; and a row of lime trees, form-
ing three sides of a square, is 'seen opposite this
house also—rooms for " Roulette and Tornbold."

Before leaving Denmark I may relate a curious
tradition connected with the Danes and my native
town of New Alresford, Hampshire, which forms,
with its ancient church, where I was baptised, a
slanting cross exactly. The legend is that a battle
occurred at Tisted, near Alresford, when the Saxons
defeated the Danes, and granted them quarter upon
the understanding that they should be baptised in
the river Alder, near Alresford pond. They assented,
and afterwards worshipped at a shrine built in the
Old Alresford Church-yard, and the foundations of
which are believed to have been found there during
the last century.

This shrine was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin,
and the tradition is to the effect that so many
devotees hastened to the shrine that it was deter-
mined to build the town of New Alresford, which
was subsequently joined to Old Alresford by means
of a causeway, in order to accommodate the
worshippers. A curious legend—and still more
curious is it that one of the oldest Roman Catholic
families now in Britain should have resided in the
immediate vicinity of New Alesford for some 200
years before the conquest at least !
Denmark coinage is composed also of dollars, in
specie or notes—one dollar being equal to 2s. 3d.,
and composed of 6 marks or 96 skillings. Neither
in Sweden nor in Denmark is any passport now re-
quired. The expense of travelling and of board is
reasonable, and the Custom-house inspection is
nominal.—l am, sir, yours obediently,

CHR. CooKE.
Gothenburg, Sweden, Sept. 13, 1866.

The operative cloth dressers of Leeds, numbering
about 1,000, struck work on Saturday morning for an ad-
vance of 15 per cent. on their present rate of wages. Six of
the employers have complied with the request, but in four
of the mills the men decline to enforce their demand by
leaving work.

THE BRADFORD WORKING MEN ON EX-GOVER-
NOR EYRE.—The Bradford Working Men's Con-
servative Association held a meeting on Thursday evening
last, Mr. Walters in the chair. The meeting was a very
good one, and several now members joined the association.
The secretary read a correspondence between himself and
Mr. Hamilton Hume, hon. secretary of the Eyre Defence
and Aid Fund Committee, London, and also a report of the
meetings of the committee, several copies of which report
had been received from the hon. secretary; after which the
following address to Mr. Eyre, late Governor of Jamaica,
was unanimously adopted :

" TO EDWARD JOHN EYRE, ESQ.

" Sir,—We, the members of the Bradford Working Men's
Conservative Association, having seen with regret that cer-
tain men with a vindictiveness and malice (we hope un-
precedented) have wilfully maligned your character in a
manner, and by language and acts, totally unwarranted by
facts, and in direct opposition to all feelings of justice and
of right, we consider it to be our bounden duty thus to
offer our protest against these denunciations being ac-
counted as the feelings of the country, and especially of
tho working population of England. We have no doubt
that the real sentiment of the people is one of entire con-
viction that the calumnies so unscrupulously heaped upon
your name are so base and so untruthful that, if the case
was fairly laid before them, they woul4 repudiate with
contempt any statement which should make them a party
to such calumny.
" With respect to the treatment to which you have un-
fortunately been subjected by:the.lato Government, we be-
lieve it was entirely unmerited, that your conduct during
the last few months of your office in Jamaica deserved the
praise of the English Government, as we have no doubt it
deserves, and will obtain the . congratulations of all just
men and all thoughtful and feeling Englishmen.
" Signed on behalf of the Bradford Working Men's
Conservative Association,
" WILLIAM WALTERS, Chairman.
FREDERICK S. ItAwNsLEY, Socretary."

Yorks/tire Pos

r
,
/Ale
intt aar,

HER BIA.JL•`STy.

The Queen continues in excellent health, sir•
rounded by the Prince and Princess Christian, the
Princesses Louise and Beatrice, and Prince Leo-
pold.

The Right lion. Spencer Walpole, the Secretall
of State in attendance on the Queen, will remain at
Balmoral till the close of the ensuing week.

New Royalty Theatre.

This charming bijou theatre is now op
en
for tbe
season, under the management of the ever-Youl4
and captivating Miss M. Oliver. No expense has
been spared to make the house a perfect bonbonniere.
It has been entirely redecorated, presenting tlie
brightest aspect, and affording more room to each
occupant, and every facility of ingress and egress'
A more elegant little theatre does not now exist .11,,
London. Besides au entirely new proseeninA:
sunlight throws its brilliant rays equally througui;
out the house. New, elegant, and roomy stal
have been provided. The boxes are adapted to re'
ceive the most extensive toilettes, and the Prlv3te.
boxes are most luxurious. The boutoli d'e'
coloured curtains, with white and gold decoration*
look exceedingly bright and tasteful. It was 3
charming sight on the night of our visit to see
every place filled by the elite of society now in t°11:
don, and it is evident that the jeunesse tr°ree
(as it is called abroad), the present generation e'
fashion, has taken Miss Oliver's theatre
under its patronage, as many aristocratict
well-known faces were seen among the ban
audience. The crowded state of the street with
equipages proved that the " New Royalty" is 33
popular now as it was when Miss Kelly made it one
of the most attractive places of amusement is
London. So much for the house. 31L5,;
Oliver's company has been very judicionsv
selected, being, in fact, far above the average'
and there is no lack of beauty among the
fair artistes. The new burlesque, which fore's
part of the light kind of dramatic. performances
for which this theatre has acquired a re;
potation of late many of its fairy pieces
having been performed upon every stage in England
A
—has been written by Mr. R. Reece, and is called
" The Lady of the Lake, Plaid in a new Tartan"
The author fully sustains the reputation be 11`.-
,
already achieved by such productions as " Pr°93eii
thus" and " Ulf the Minstrel." A career thus well
begun merits all the encouragement that a discernt;
ing public always award to those who cater for
amusement. The piece is both witty and amusin
,e
g
The music adapted to the songs is most agreeab'ii
in reminding us of favourite airs, which arc we
played by a full and well-conducted orchestra
i;
Among the performers we must first went!
Miss M. Oliver as Lady Allen. Her graee';
appearance and her charming voice are among thb
principal attractions of the evening. She is pate%
in her style. Miss Rosina Ranoe acted the Fri°,
in a graceful manner, and possesses a captivating
voice. If Malcolm Graenie was as handaolae'
graceful, and charming as Miss H. Lindley rePre'
sents him, he must have been a most fascinating
cavalier—her voice and her looks winning all
hearts. Roderick Dhu was capitally played
by Miss Ada Taylor, who showed considerable
talent, and a soul worthy of the ancient Sec)teii.
We were glad, by the way, to see Miss Annie
Bourke' again on the boards of the New RnYalti'D
looking as engaging as ever. We must 110,
fail to notice the wonderful sword fight between
the Highland heroes. Mr. E. Danvers rnakei
a capital forsaken Blanche, his singing an
j,
his dancing are truly wonderful. Mr.
able
Russell played Douglas in a very commendo.lll
manner, and Mr. W. H. Stephen was equal
good in his part. Great care has be
en
displayed in the mounting of the piece.
The dresses are magnificent. Mr. Cuthber,
scenery is as usual most effectively and bea
o
of
tifully painted, no small task on a stag- o
such limited dimensimis. While mentioning t'h
truly clever artist we hear that a brillial;
offer has been made to him to visit the Frelic•
fair
capital next year, whereby no doubt a
opportunity will be afforded to him to display i 0
,
remarkable talent. We must not conclude rto
notice without a word of well-deserved praise
the indefatigable acting manager, Mr. Mosvbr°'of
who has devoted many years to the prosperitio
the establishment ; and we hope that with this to
auspicious ro-opening both Mr. Mowbray and ioa
Oliver will reap their due reward in their noW
meritorious venture.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AT ABERDEEN.---A t,e3:l••
gram from Aberdeen says the Prince of Wales has the
seated to preside at the inauguration of the statue oi,DO
Queen, his mother, at Aberdeen, on Thursday next. joi
statue is of marble, and has been executed through 13,111110
subscription as a companion work to the statue 0' -0.
Prince Consort, unveiled by her Majesty two yoro:ii3O
It is expected that the Princess of Wales and others ° ye
illustrious party now on Deeside will be present 0' " •
ceremony of Thursday.
THE DUKEDOM OF CHATELHERAULT.—TheIAIe
pending question between the Duke of
_Hamilton er,a- of
Marquis of Abercorn, as to the right to the pub.-6'117-0
Chatelherault, has now been finally decided by the C°ll gd
d'Etat au Contentieux of Paris, at their seance Of tb°o.4
August, in favour of the Duke of Hamilton. Some 9800
back the late Duke of Hamilton was found entitled by of
decree of the Courts of France to the hereditary title 10
Duke of Chatelherault, created by Henry 11. of Frsll,f-
-favour of the Earl of Arran. Against this decree the 71
quis of Abercorn presented an appeal in 1864-65; 513,qa0
consequence of the death of the late duke, appearte-beo
entered by his widow, the Princess Mary of Baden, D 7,4
of Hamilton, on behalf of her son, the present duko,
minor. In April of this year, the present duke, Woly4
then attained his majority, entered appearance in b5,,00
name ; and thereafter the question went to issue let spa
him and the marquis, and has been decided by till° 110'
Conseil d'Etat au Contentieux as follows :—" Article
I.—The petition of the Marquis of Abercorn is reie-ie
Article No. 2.—The Marquis of Abercorn is found
expenses. - Article No. 3.—Our Keeper of the Cu 0
nister, Secretary of State for Justice and des Cgite:mr
charged with the execution of the present decree.

proved this 11th day of August, 1866.—NAroLE0.1 ~is.
THE MARQUIS DE MOUSTIER iS the twelfth tlra
ter, as the Examiner reminds us, appointed t°
department of Foreign Affairs since December, 18481,0' r 10+
predecessors were :—M. Drouyn de l'Huys, Decetai;
1848 ; M. de Tocqueville, June 2, 1819 ; M. Lalli'101;
vember 19, 1819 ; M. Drouyn de l'Huys, January 9, .0;
M. Brenier, January 14, 1851; M. Baroche, April 10,,. -iffif
M. Drouyn de l'Huys, July 21, 1852; M. Walevie,lo,llo
8, 1835 ; M. Thouvenel, January 4, 1861; and lg.
de l'Huys, October 15, 1862. c t 0
MUSIC AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION. ACCOrclij3gPrd
a Paris letter in the Europe, M. Strauss has #iel°
the Palais de l'lndustrie in the Champs-Elysees for the I,f,
of the Universal Exhibition for the sum of 1,500,000f("Ol
Strauss proposes to give monster concerts there 11 tiloo
musicians of the capital, and conducted alternately by
Gounod, Felicien David, Pasdeloup, Berlioz, 41e'hotil)
offered Verdi 100,000 fr. to conduct this enormous erieLseil
once, and the composer refused; he then offered ''f;ol'
200,000 fr. on the same terms, and was &gal° r;chg °fi
Finally, M. Strauss endeavoured to obtain the Prvrii;"o:o'
the first performance of the celebrated unpublished 'l5,
the latter composer, but all his offers were Filet° 4
jocted.
A BROTHER OF THE LAUREATE, Datneu
110
Tennyson, died on Friday, the 7th, at Chelteuh3eti.
it
was, according to "Men of the Time," himself o IWeo, th
know, says the Reader, ha had written much, ht4:/vnil tot e°
exception of two or three sonnets contributed by D'7,l &JP(
clever "revived" Literary Gazette, which Peristleioo.4
eight or nine numbers, and two or three pieces 11,'"
publications, we are not acquainted with anythh*
printed. Fafs:ng
POSTPONEMENT OF THE VOLUNTEER *2o—
3 last night received the t'r colo;
communication from the secretaries of the Voluill4itotee
mittee "To the Editor of Time Sun. English vii,.treet't
Committee, Hon. Secretaries' Office, 79, 13asiugb3
Wre
red
London, E.C., Monday Night, 11 o'clock. 0,0"
to inform you that the Conseil' Communal° of l3rtts;
decided on postponing the fetes that wore to ha
ra' 0061
menced on Saturday next. As a consequence nab
of the Tir National is also postponed. The Celisst oloPtio
again on Monday, Oct. 1, to fix on what day in
the fetes will commence. The intelligenco °l3t.,osl°o
moment received, while in the midst of our proPellt,l„eta t
srx I,lo'
the occasion; we can therefore at present 00 rpo
you to give the greatest publicity of the fact to eu ov.
D°
teer friends. We are, &c., JOHN FURLEY and Aro
BIGMORE, Hon. Secretaries.—P.S.—All tickets
...-
issued will be available next month '