The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-06-19
Finland.
BY EDNA DEAN PROCTOR.

The sky was flushed with sunset colors,
and Stockholm rose sharp against it in an
atmosphere as clear as that of Syria, when
at nine o'clock on 4 summers night, we
went on board the steamer Suomi, bound
for St. Petersburg. Soumi is the native
name of Finland, and a proper designation
for one of these north Baltic boats, skirting
as they do the Finish shore, and stopping
at all the pricipal towns. Farewell to the
land of Gustavus Vasa and Charles XII!
Farewell to the stout Swedes and their sub
stantial fare! Adieu to the gay bellies of
Stockholm; their blue eyes and blonde
tresscs disclosed by the tiny Partisan bon
nets they coquettishly wear; and to their
scale, who must be content to cover their
heads with single handkerchief tied un-
der the round and ruddy chin! Goodbye
and good fortune to the Dalecarlian girls,
who, in their short skirts and bright bod
dices, and close-fitting white caps, leave
their rough northern wales with steps as
strong and free as those Of a young brave
in the chase, and come down to the great
city, to turn the wheels of the ferry-boats
on the Malar Lake, or engage in other stur-
dy work, whereby they may earn few
dollars with which to assist their lovers in
setting up the humble housekeeping at
home!
At eleven o'clock the steamer was ready
to leave; but now the twilight of Swedish
night brooded over the water, and as the
channel is narrow and difficult, she lay at
the wharf until two i'll the morning, and
began her voyage with the dawn. 1t was
like threading quiet inland river till we
reached the Baltic; and then the conflicting
currents of the Cuffs of Bothnia and Fin
land made it stormy sea to cross, until in
the afternoon we gained the inclosed waters
of the Aland Islands. These Islands, near
ly three hundred in number, lie along the
entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, and are
an appendage of Finland, with which coun-
try they were coded by Sweden and Russia
in 1909. They are all rocky and pine-clad,
while some of them are mere granite cliffs
rising out of the water, and tenanted only
by wild fowl. The largest is Aland, con-
tanning two hundred and fifty square miles.
Their fifteen hundred inhabitants are al
most, without exception, fishermen and
sailors-light haired, robust men, who lead
laborious lives and live in the simplest and
most frugal manner. The Suomi knew her
81; lnl l,l, 10 1,1..
and passed island after island, to the Fin
land shore. She was pleasant, well-ap-
pointed boat, with home-like air about
her saloon, where hydrangers and various
fostering care of the wife of the Captain
At seven o clock we anchored at Abo the
ancient capital of Finland, place of some
twenty-five thousand inhabitants.
But little more than half century has
elapsed since Finland was transferred to
GAR yet in externals it has already lost all
resemblance to Sweden. 1t has an area of
one hundred and fifteen thousand square
miles, and million and 4 half of people
There are no mountains, but the country
has 4 general elevation OF from four to SIX
hundred feet above the level of the sea- A
lreary domain it is. where rocks alternate
with marshes, and pine forests and cold, sui
len lakes to make up the scene-yet it was
valuable acquisition to Russia In the
first place, because it weakened Sweden,
which had often proved ITSELF formidable
ncighbor; then on account of its coast ia
cilities for strong Notifications, and its
fisheries and quarries of granite and por-
phyry: and, more than ALL for It's hardy
race of mariners, from whom the Russian
navy is largely recruited. AS the steamer
was to remain at the wharf until early the
next morning, we went on shore-on shore
among new race, with new customs.-
Russian droskies-low wagons with seat
for two persons and a box for the driver
were drawn up near the landing, while
their owners, i'll long -skirted coats, con-
fined by leatheren belt at the waist, high
boots, and broad-topped caps, walked up
and down waiting the coming of the pas
sengers. In these commodious vehicles we
drove up to see the town, which is princi-