The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-29

NORWAY AND IT'S CAPITAL SCENERY IN THE
NoR1H.-In going to Norway, writes CORE
spondent of the Independent, the landing
place is at little town in Sweden called
Strand. The Norwegian line is near and we
pass il in drosky drawn by two of the
ardent little Norwegian horses, at great
speed. over q road smooth and perfect.
The country is billy but fertile, and does
not lose by the change of name its
lake character. The road to the Csea-
coast runs through magnificent woods
of pine and the ride of twenty miles
is of extreme interest. The region is hsto-
rical--the battle-ground between the two
kingdoms. Az Frederickshald Charles XII
ended his career, by his death relieving the
country from the stress of wars he had
waged, but laying upon her the great weight
of his renown. IL is a rock fortress, and was
of great strength in those days. The town
lies mp ford, down which we took steamer
in thesearly morning for Christiania.
The coast of Norway about the entrance
of the great iord at the head of which Chris
tiania stands is extremely rocky and savage
II takes eight or nine hours from Fredericks
hald. When far enough inland to see both
shores, the scenery becomes interesting. On
the left rises line of fr-covered mountains,
Just distant enough to wear the de p noun
tain blue. The ford itself is one of the no.
blest character. At Drobak it contracts to
narrow str ait, which is fortified, but spreads
out beyond: and at Christiania il is a large
inland sea again, with an arm
stretching many miles southwark. The
city, half as large as Stockholm, is not
SO conspicuous, as several islands interrupt
the view; and il does not rise upon heights,
but is rather level. But as it is seen with
the ford from the surrounding hills, and
especially from the ranges of blue mountains
TO the west, it is exceedingly beautiful. There
seems to be an instructive feeling in these
countries of dark foliage for the strong con-
trast of white in the buildings, just as the
warmth of red seems to be the natural color
in cold farming regions;sand Christiania, like
its sister capital, is shining white.
The city is in reality a great rural village,
with space enough for separate family dwell
ings in the American manner, but with more
variety and perhaps better taste in style. This
manner of living may partly account for the
absence of the out door assemblages and
more public life of other Cities There is no
lack of parks and water-side resorts; but it
is noticeable that there is q social seclusion
and indoor life, which must be accounted for
by the different temper of the people from
those of Denmark and Sweden.
There is freshness in the air and a sweet
ness only felt in rural towns near mountains,
and there is a special charm in these long
evenings, when the bright flash goes around
the sky from sunset to dawn. The city is
new, dating back not over two hundred and
fifty years, with but few historic incidents,
and it has never had any merit architectu
rally. The great fire, which is within the
memory of most of us, left room for new
buildings, and it has the appearance of
modern and rather thriving town. The Uni
versity OF Norway, the Kings Palace, and the
Capitol give it claim to be capital city;
but it, like the kingdom, has never exerted
any great organized influence in Europe. But
the expectation awakened by its charming
name will not be disappointed, if sea and
mountains In the ripest of summer days have
any power to charm.