Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-07-03


and is descended from the old leaders, and
sometimes the princes of the nation. His
class send most Of the representatives TO the
National Assembly We might say. he is
one Of the farmers of the yeomanry of Nor
way, but as far as my observation extends,
the Bonders are not at all like the " farmers"
Of America, or the yeomanry Of England -
/ They are more distinct class a class with
less Of the gentleman and more of the relics
of the former peasantry about them-who,
though still independent were still in the
power of the great princes In this--the
middle province of Norway--you sec them
continually on the boats, at the post-houses
and working in the fields Their features arc
usually large and strong, with firm and intel
ligcnt expression, and the blonde complexion
much rcddcned by exposure to the weather.
they seem vigorous, wcll-made men. The
common costume is red cap, like a night cap
Jacket with metal buttons, and brecchcs.-
me farm buildings of one Bender were shown
me- ON Lake Miosen, who was estimated to be
worth 100000.
The gaard, or estate, of this proprietor
was on hill. commanding an immense view,
and like all the farms we have passed. formed,
with its buildings, little square. the interior
being protected from the winter Winds
There was no indication, among various hous-
es, which was the main dwelling, but finding
one hosptablc looking door, raped with
my knucllles and servant girl opened She
understood me and summoned the MASTER
He came soon, and looking at a sort Of goner-
al letter ] had, at once showed me into anoth-
cr of the little houses in the square There
was something very notable in his appear
ance he was not exactly gentleman" in
the usual acceptation, not a man of the world
but he impressed You as a kind of natural
prince tall, strong, with commanding iea-
lures and long black hair, and an air Of gcnu-
inc dignity. lie wore the red wooden cap
and the usual costume of the farmers At
each door. as he opened it. he stepped back
and bowed TO let me in
was shown into large room with a
handsome unca peted floor. The furniture
was singular On each side of the apartment
were some splendid carved cabinets and tables,
black, with giding-one with white panels,
having pictures in them--while in the midst
of the room a common deal table STOOD with
enormous legs. and in the corners were small
tables and wooden settees-just such a one
as one would see in an English country ale
house. Near the door was long old clock,
such as every New Highlander is familiar with
.
gone out for a little while as ! was observing
all this. He returned and brought with him
an old gentleman with a still more noble and
patriarchal air. This one welcomed me in the
same dignifed manner. and told me in a few
words that he was a direct descendant from
one of the old Norwegian Kings, Harald Haar-
lager. a decanter was then brought in with
a cordial, and a glass poured out for me.
slipped, and we all bowed and quite seriously
drank healths. This custom of the welcom-
drink dates back at least to the times of the
early Vikings. 1t appears in all the sagas.
Atttr some conversation, asked If they
would have any objections to show a stranger
/ the house. They had not, and getting bunch
of keyes. the younger took me over one or two
of the houses. There were an immense num-
Der of bedrooms some with plain farmer
like furnishing. others with elegant curtained
/ beds and pieces of splendid furniture. Sec
ing my interest, my host kindly went further,
and took me to the store-rooms and attic
There were the winter-coats the bear skins
and furs, and reindeer boots and high-water
boots; the blankets and comfortables and
dresses; then the little sleds and sleighs for
the snow; the piles of round oatmeal cakes,
each foot and half in diameter, kept for
the food of the laborers heaps of birch bark
for tanning, spinning wheels for weaving,
shoe blocks for making-for on these
farms all trades are carried on. Then to the
kitchen-a still separate house again, with a
sort Of stone range in corner, over which is
a little roof completely overshadowing it, and
carrying off the smoke and fumes Of the cook
/ ing. In another part was great tin tub for
baking bread, and large vats or vessels for
boiling. One side of the kitchen was occupi-
ed with beds for the servants. The next lit
tie log-house seemed to be for keeping pre-
served meats another was used for common
farm purposes and had little cupola and bell,
which is often seen in the Norwegian farm
clusters, and has a most picturesque effect 1t
gives a contrality to each group-as though
they made one home. There were, | think,
eight of these Lighthouses in this gard.
This arrangement of many separate hous-
es appears in all the old sagas We hear
very early of a sleeping house (symnphus); and
of two stalls being kept apart from the dwell
lings. though even at this day, the Danish
peasant has animals and family under one roof
| The old lcelandic homesteads had often thirty
or forty houses.
MY host took me, next, to the stables,
/ though " the creatures as he informed me,
were in the mountain pastures or saetters -
These are beautiful little green pastures on
the heights of the mountain, where the cattle
stray in the summers, under the charge of
two or three dairy maids and men, who there
make their butter and cheese for winter
They arc famous in Norwegian poetry and
romance.
| THE barns in central Norway, though oft
en- old, have the modern improyements-be-
/ ing built usually on a sido-hil-with two or
| three easy entrances to each story, and with