Litchfield enquirer., 1852-11-11
ScandinavIaRS,

Perhaps many of our readers are not aware how important q part the Scandi navians, the ancient inhabitants of the pe- ninsula of Sweden and Norway, have play ed in the history of Europe. A few remarks with regard to them may be of interest 10 the reader of history. The Swedish peninsula, situnted in an inhospitable climate, and affording scanty subs isiance to its inhabitants, has never- theIesS in past ages contained within it's confines innumerable hordes of barbarians, who, at different times, crossing the seas which separated them from their neighbors, with fire and sword oyerran the countries of the South, and erected new kingdoms, which they ruled in accordance with their oW n principles of government. To these men the nalne of NOrihmen or Normans has been given, the same people who es- tablished the kingdom of Normandy m France, who so often invaded England, dis covered and colonized Iceland and Green> land, and, sailing along the. Atlantic coas' discovered New Engh land and is capes long before Columbus had crossed the Atlantic. Indeed, for many reasons, it has been sup posed that the NOrthmen established colo nies on the southern coast of Now England, and that they erected that ancient tower called the ''Old Windmill" which still remains at Newport. R. l. Besides, few years ago a skeleton ia ancient afmor was dug up ut Fall River. supposed to be the remains of one of the Morse men.
 The steriity of Scandinavia causing them to look elsewhere for support, the Northnaen betook themselves to the sea and became pirates. Embarking on board frail vessels, they attacked without fear those they encountered. Disembarking on the enemy's coast, they siezed upon the inhabitants and their goods, and then precipi,ately retired to their homes to en- joy the booty. Such terror did they be- come, that the Monks of those times in. ser,ed in their Litany a new clause-"From the Normans. good Lord deliver us."-- Many of these seamen passed thsir lives upon the ocean: and the old sea kings about to die. had their bodies laid in the blazing ship. which, with sails set was given to the wind, that the ashes of the great old sailor might be scattered to the air and to the ocean.
 The distinguishing characterislics of the N0rlhmen were their love of war and their bravery Every other pursuit but that of war they despised. To die elsewhere than on the field of battle, they considered highly disgraceful. Their religion taught them .hat the warrior, dying in battle, passed at once into the presence of the gods. and was forever happy. So firmly did lhsy helieva Ihis d0clrine, that the old mal who had sought death in vain amlu the enemy, feeling death approaching, in> fjcted upon himself deep wounds, that he might appear before Od!n as a warrior fresh from the conflict. Herojsm. the Northman considered the chief of vietnes. No maiden would wed coward, and the wife might claIm divorce from her husband, if he was not brave in battle.
 In his private life the Norlhman was addicted to travelling and intemperance, drinking his wine from the polished skull of his vaDquished foe. They also drank rom horns made of various materials, sometimes of gold one of which last was found in Jutland in l639, weighing 6 lbs. l3 oz.: another century later, weighing 7 lbs. l 1 oz. The Northman was poor manufacturer. and his lands were tiled by thralls, or slaves, whom he had beaten and enslaved
 Not the least interesting peculiarity of tie Northman vas his religion. He and his religious belief partook of the nature "f the country in which they existed. He was stern, rough-hewn barbarian, with a great heart. and a profound reverence for the gods, whom he supposed regulated the affairs of men. His was religion for the warrior. The coward never entered Hea. ven, bul the brave in heart passed from the deadly conflict to Valhalla. the abode of Odin, their chiet deity, and there forev. ar drank the celestial wine {, om the skulls of their fallen foes Valhalla. or the hall of heroes, they fabled. had it's roof of slii ming bucklers, it's walls were formed of spears, and it was lighted with Aashing swords. Fit heaven fort Nor.hman war rior.
 But the Northmen, with their warlke exploits and bolsterous revels, have passed long since into the shadowy regions of the past. The old sea kings no longer carry fire and sword into the land of the Saxon, or into the sunny plains of the Frank,-- They sleep in the embrace of mother earth, and their rude graves and the histo> riall's record, alone bear witness to the fac, of their existence.
 Y Boston Olive Byancb.