The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-07
Bayard Taylor i'm Northern Eu-
rope.
BATHING IN IAPLANp. .

Mr.. Wolley proposed 10 us another luxury,
in the shape of vapor-bath, as Herr Forstrom
had one of those bathing houses which are
universal in Finland. twas little wooden
building without windows. A Finnish SER
vant-girl, who had been for some time engaged
in getting it in readiness, opened the door for
US. The interior was very hot and moist, like
an Oriental bathing-hall. In the center was
pile of hot stones, covered with birch boughs,
the leaves of which gave out on agreeable
smell, and a large tub of water. The floor
was strewn with straw, and under the roof was
a platform extending across one, end Of the
building. This was covered with soft hay, and
reached by means of a ladder, for the purpose
Of getting the full effect of the steam. Some
stools and a bench for clothes completed the
arrangement. There was also in one corner a
pitcher Of water, standing in little heap of
snow to keepit cool rc a sat ii sg
The servant-girl came in after us, and Mr.
w. quietly proceeded to undress, informing us
that the girl was bathing MASTER, and would
do the usual scrubbing and slampooing. This
it seems, is the general practice in Finlan ],
and is but another example of the unembar-
rassed habit of the people of this part of the
world. The poorer families go into their
bathing rooms together-father, mother and
children--and take turns in polishing each
others's backs. Itwould have been ridiculous
to have shown any hesitation under the cir
cumstanees-in fact, In indignity to the honest,
supplemented, virtuous girl-and so we de-
liberately uadressed also. When at last we
stood, like our first parents in Paradise, "naked
and not ashamed = she handed us lunches of
birch-twigs with.the leaves on, the use of VIII ich
was suggested by the leaf of sculpture. We
mounted the platform and lay down upon our
backs, whereupon she increased the tenn
p rature by throwing water upon the ho.
stones, untilithe heat was rather oppressive
and we began to sweat profusely. She then
took up bunch of birch-.wigs which had
been dipped in hot water, and switched us
smartly from head to foot. When we had
become thoroughly par boiled and lax, we de-
scended to the floor, seated ourselves upon the
stool and were scrubbed with soap as thorough.
ly as propriety permitted. The girl was an
admirable bather, the result OF long prsc ice in
the business. She fnished by pouring hot
water over us, and thea drying US with warm
towels. The Firms freqsently go out and roll
in the snow during the progress of the BATH
ventured so far as to go out and stand few
seconds in the open air. The mercury was at
zero, and the effect of the cold on my heated
skin was delightfully."- refreshing.
Idressed in violent perspiration, and then
ran across to Herr Forstrom's house, where
he was already waiting for US. Here we
fount. the lamismann or magistrate of the
Russian district opposite, a Herr Braxen, who
was decorated with the order Of Stanislaus for
his services in Finlanl during .he racent war.
He was a tall, dark-haired man, with a restless
light in his deep-set eyes, and gentleman in
his demeanor. He entered into our plans with
interest, and the evening was spent in consul
tation concerning them. Finally, it was de-
| cided that Herr Forstrom should send a mes
senger up ther river to Palajoki Gao miles of, }
to engage Lapps and reindeer to take us across
the mountains to Kantokeins, in Norway. As
the messenger would be absent three or -four
days, we had comfortable prospect of rest
before US, and went to bed with a light heart,
to wake to the sixth birthday have passed in
strange lands.
4 TAKES LESSONS IN REINDEER DRIVING.
| MIR. w. sent for his reindeer in the course
of the morning, in order to give us lesson in
driving. After lunch, accordingly, we pre-
pared ourselves for the new sensation. pu
on poesk of reindeer skin, and my fur-lined
Russian boots. Ludwig took pulk also, to
| assist US in case of need. These pulks are
shaped'yery much like canoe; they are about
five feet long, one foot deep, and eighteen in
ches wide, with sharp bow and square
stern. You sit upright against the sternboard
with your legs stretched cut in the oottom.-
The deer's harness consists only of collar OF
reindeer skin around the neck, with rope a,
the bottom, which passes under the belly, be-
tween the legs, and is fastened to the bow Of
the pulk. He is driven by single rein, at
tached to the base Of the left horn and pas
sing over the back to the right hand Of ths
driver, who thrusts his thumb into a loo? at
the end, and takes several turns around hi.
wrist. The reiE is held rather slack, in order
thatit may be thrown over to the right side
when it slips to the left which it is very apt tc
do. 81
seated myself, took proper hold Of tie rein
and awaited tina signal to start. My deer wa.
strong, swift animal, who had just shed his
9horns. Ludwig set off first; my deer gave :
startling leap. dashed around the corner of ths
house, and made down the hill. tried to
catch the breath which had been jerked out of
me. and to kespxeY balance, as the pulk, sway
ing from side to side. bounced over the snow
1t was too late; swift presentimenl Of the
catastrophe flashed across my mind, but was
powerless to avert it. In another second,
found myself rolling in the loose snow, viii
pulk bottom upwards beside me. The deer
who was attached to my ann, was standing
still, facing me, with an expression of stupid
surprise (but no sympathy on his face.
got IN, shook myself, rghted the pulk, ans
commenced again. Oh we went, like the wine
down the hill, the snow flying in my face arc
binding me. My pulk made tremendous lea d
bounding from side to side, until the whirlwin,
suddenly subsiding, found myself OF the roa.
deep overhead in the snow, choked and blind