Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-09-09
SOCIAL INTERCOURSE OF The NoRwE.
CLANS

| SQ(lAL iNIEh(OChSE OF AuL NOh"L'
CLANS.
| In the social intercourse with tho high.
or classes in Norway, there is a simplci.
~ Of customs, united with great ease and
comfort, which gives il great charms in The
eyes of a stranger. Breskf fast is not 70
great meal as with US ; or rather it is
divided into two consisting usually OF a
simple cup Of coffee with biscuit taken
early in the morning SONS time after
which, slices Of cold meat, smoked sal
mon, cheese, &c., ore placid on a side
board, with bread and butter, and, oil
course. the brandy bottle. The dinner
hour is generally one or two O'Clock; even
at the Stockholders State parties. We did
not dine later than three. THIS meal al.
ways occupies a long time as each dish
is handed round repeatedly 10 each guest,
and frequently pressed upon him IN what
used formerly 10 be- considered the true
spirit OF hospitality, in our own country.
The fare is good and substantial, much
moro in the German than in the French
sty le: the sweet things sre almost always
exceiently made. In all the best houses
there is abundance of claret, of fair quail
ty; often also pleasant white vine they
call Madeira, more probably Of spanish
growth, and occasionally Port, though OF
very different flavor from that we are
accustomed to drink. 1t is much lighter,
both in body and color, being invariably
tawny but it is very agreeable TO the
taste, and very possibly more genuine than
the strong Port manufactured tor the Eng.
lish market. When strangers are pre-
sent, there arc seldom wanting toasts COM
pIimentary to him or isnation, IS an ex.
cuse for fair supply Of wine during the
dinner, after which they never sit, as we
do in England. When this heightened
operation is a, last over, and oil have eat
en-, and drunk, and talked, and sung, to
| their full content, there is usually slight
pause OF expectation, when the guest OF
the most consequence proposes the health
| of the Hest and Hostess, with thinks 10
them for their entertainment upon which
great noise, and the whole party shake
hands with esch other and the host, say.
ing to him, "Tak for Mad" or &" Thanks
for our repsst;" to which he replies,
Velbekommen," May it agree with
youw Each gentleman then conducts a
lady into the adjoining room, where cof
fee is handed round /; and most of the
male sex soon drop off, to smoke Pipe or
take stroll out of doors. An hour or
two later they return for a cup Of tea !;
and finally, about nine o'clock, a supper
of cold meat, fruit, &C., is laid out in the
dining room. Owing to the early hours
Of the country, the children uniformly
make pleasing addition TO Norwegian
dinner. But what most surprises US and
| for a long time even distresses, an Eng.
lshman, is the very active snare which
the ladies take in ministering to his con-
vivial comforts. No, only do they perso.
nally superintend aud assist in the various
processes OF the cookery. but when the
dishes are served, they invariably carve
them, and, in country houses at least, Of
en- hand them round, and supply the gen.
temen with clean plates; the host mean.
while sitting quite at his ease, and attend
! ing only TO the intellectual entertainments
of his company. These Offices the Nor.
wegan ladies' perform with admirable
modesty, self possession, and good humor;
and are only distressed when stranger
rises to prevent their fulfilling what they
have always been taught to consider n
duty, ifno, privilege oftheir sex. I'M
poriant as women are everywhere, not
merely for the ornament, but for the
daily and hourly comforts OF social life,
they nowhere play so indispensable a
part ns in Norway; Norwegian man.
ager could not possibly 90 on without
them. Most frequently there is an un-
married sister, or near relative, o. the
husband or wife, who manages every
thing, aud sits at the lady's light hand,
ready to supply any thing that may be
wsnttd d, To keep the children in order,
&C., which surely is an admirable prepa.
ration for undertaking the matrimonial
duties on her own account herealtei.-
Every stranger in ven,uring an opinion
Of national character, must Of course
speak according to the opportunities he
has enjoyed; but he must be unihankful,
or had little occasion 10 appreciate them,
who does not feel that he owes deep
debt Of gratitude to the fair Norwegians,
for much Of the pleasure, and most Of The
comfort, OF his tour.
I