Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-18
W oRCEsTER
THURSDAY. July is. 1879.
The Norwegian Celebration.

The Norwegian Celebration.
To-day, the Norwegians, at home and abroad,
celebrate the thousandth anniversary of the or
ganization of Norway as united nation. In
Boston the celebration includes an excursion
down the harbor. This political snion and
consolidation of the country was effected by
the famous Harald Harfager, or Harald the
Fair Haired, who reigned from s6s A. D., TO
93s. He began his rule as one of the twenty or
more iarls or petty kings among whom the
country was divided. These jarls were generally
of the Teutonic race; but, in the fourth century,
Nor, one of the descendants of the suhjugated
Finnish chiefs, rebeled successfully, established
himself at Drontheim, subdued the neighboring
districts, and created for himself a little king
dom which he defended against all corners.
Harald had very remarkable ability for both war
and political organization. On beginning his
rule in 1858 A. D., he proceeded at once to
subjugate the other jarls. He did this
work rapidly, and, in the year S72,
had become the recognized sovereign of all
Norway The country has remained united
from that time 10 this, although its sovereigns
have not always been Norwegians. 1t has been
ent, Norway is politically united with Sweden /;
but il jealously maintains the independence of
its own institutions. II has its own flag, cur
rency, and official language. 1t has an indie
pendent legislature, called the stOrthing, which
can oyer-rule the kings veto, and an executive
council ofeight Norwegians, without whose con-
sent the king can not act in certain important
Cor i,,S ha in.
Volyed in war without formal vote of this
council In 1915, the storthing abolished all ii
ties of nobility, Norway being much more DEM
ocratc than the other Scandinavian countries.
This enactment was carried into effect in def
ance Of the kings veto.
One of the important consequences of the
great change effected by Harald Harfager, was
the settlement of Iceland by refugees from Nor
way. Many of the more intelligent and
wealthy Norwegians would not accept him as
their ruler. They went TO Iceland and estab-
lished there an independent government, repub-
lican in form, which maintained its independ-
ence for nearly four centuries. To these Ice
landers we are indebted for nearly all that IS
known of the old Morse language, literature,
and mythology. The first colony of Mortimer,
led by chief named Ingolf, took possession OF
the island in the year sT4 A. D.; and before the
death of Harald the settlers in Iceland num-
bered many thousands of the choicest portion oil
the Morse people. The settlers In Greenland
went chiefly from Icelandl and in Iceland were
preserved the manuscripts narratives OF the voy
ages to Vinland, and all the Morse literature
which has been rescued from oblivion. The
Norwegians have good reason for their celebra
ton; and, two years hence, the Icelanders may
reasonably celebrate a thoHsandth anniversary
II is frequently said that we Yankees have too
few holidays; that we work too hard and too
constantly, and for want of reasonable rest and
recreation wear ourselves out before our time.
Perhaps there Is some truth In this. OF general
holidays, when all ordinary business is sas-
pended, and everybody makes pleasure his bust
ness, We have not many; but that we do have
our holidays, each for himself, when his affairs
permit and his inclination prompts, no one can
doubt who visits any of the popular summer re
sorts, and these are numerous. Not to &c
farther away, the whole coast Of New England
from Greenwich TO Eastport, is lined with
them. Wherever the waves murmur on a sand.
beach or the surf dashes against the rocks yol
will find one or more hotels, with dozens, hun
dreds or thousands of guests established Their
for weeks or months, and crowds Of transien
visitors whose stay is measured by hours. Thos
who seek the mountains rather than tn
sea are not less numerous. In the specia
places Of resort, such as the White or Greer
nfai ms md 9TH nf laco har d
ly inferior in size Or appointments TO the grea
city houses, are filled to overfowing and there il
hardly remote village in all New England
: which does not receive refugees from the dus
and glare aud turmoil of the city and give then
in exchange the shade and quiet and fresl
breezes of the country. From June to 0ctobe
there is a constant succession of holiday makers
and there are few of us. from the very rich tC
those who are just above the fear of want, who
do not get an outing OF day or two at least
during the summer. The practice has grown
amazingly within few years. Except here
aud there one, of special natural attractions in
the way of scenery, medicinal waters or the
like, none of these now popular and crowded
resorts was at all visited twenty years ago
The change in the habits of the people in this
respect is noticeable and wholly salutary. Othel
parts Of the country share in it and have theii
favorite places of rest and recreation, though
hardly anywhere else are they so numerous anC
: their attractions SO great and varied as in tht
New England states. Here, where the popula-
ton is most dense,we are surrounded by them and
can take our choice, according to our means anC
tastes, between the fashionable watering plac,
at ever so much day, and the remote farm
house among the hills where expenses are lesi
than at home. Change and rest are good for al
OF us whose daily work requires, as everybody,
does if it is to be done well, viger of body ant
energy and hopelulness Of mind. Fresh air, new
and pleasant scenes aud freedom from care are
better and generally cheaper medicines than
any which the doctors and apothOcaries can fur
nish