Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-01-10
The Land Of the Midnight Sun.
NorNay and sweden.

says There is q country far away from
our shore-far away toward the icy
north. 1t is glorious land, with bold
and magnificent mountains with deep,
narrow, well-sheltered valleys, wild ra-
vines, picturesque and lovely lakes, i'm
mense glaciers-the largest IN Europe,
and, perhaps, the largest in the world
immense forests of pine, birch, and fir
trees, the solitude of which seem to
sooth the turbulent spirit of man, count
less rivulets, which in their flight to-
ward the sea, fall in thousand cas-
cades, rivers and streams which rush
into the chasms below in gigantic water
falls that astonish the delighted behold
er. In the north of that l&9d the sun
shines day and night in J6ne, July, and
part of August. At that period no stars
are to be seen. The moon sheds no lus-
tire upon the earth. The summer is
short. 1t is just long enough to give
time to the wild flowers to bloom and
fade away. Then cold winds blow and
grass begins to look yellow and leaves
begin to wither, and swallows and other
birds fly toward the South /; the moon
shines once more, and at last there is
no more sun to be seen. Then the
heavens seem to be in blaze of light.
How many nights have travelled miles
and miles, and enjoyed the magnificent
scenery and glorious climate of that
country 1t is the Gland of the Mid
night Sum-" love these Scandinavians.
love these pleasant-hearted and blue
eyed people. I love their kindness,
their honesty. There is no people in
the world so good as this northern peo-
pie of Europe. Churches are seen
everywhere, and the church in that
country is the grand standpoint.
Schools also abound. Of course, they
are not like our public schools, but,
nevertheless, they are good schools.
The people are Protestant and Lu-
theran.
1 had an idea before I went to Scan
dinavia, that it was sort of wild coun-
try, having a population that was only
half civilized, but that is a mistake.
They all know how to read and write.
In the public schools the pupils are
obliged to learn French, English and
German. It is good land-that "Land
of the Midnight Sun and I am going
to try to lead you into it. On a fine
summers day I left Stockholm, which,
by the way, is one of the most delight
full and interesting cities in Europe.
Toward midday we came to place
where we were going to get dinner. l
came to large hall in the midst of
which was table, on which was very
white table-cloth. The meat and veg
etables were cooked, and [ sat down
expecting one of the servants to ask me
what [ was going to eat, when, to my
astonishment, every man commenced to
help himself. ate also, and when /
had finished the meal expected to be
asked for money. Nothing of the kind.
When we had done we went to the
counter, our word was trusted, we paid
the cost twenty-five cents) and then
left. While 1 was in Stockholm 1
thought would very much like to see
the King. He came to the city two
days after my arrival and received me
in the most charming and agreeable
manner. He asked me to spend the
next day at his summer palace, a few
miles from Stockholm, and of course [
gladly accepted the invitation. When
| went there [ saw no policemen, no
soldiers, no servants, and when / en-
tered the apartment in which the King
was, [ found him in his shirt sleeves
engaged in painting. I then left to
see the Midnight Sum-" and, to my
astonishment, met an old gentleman of
seventy-six, from Philadelphia, who
was bound on similar mission. 1t
was in the summer, and there was no
snow. After time got to the farms,
and to my utter astonishment found
that the COWS were fed on raw fish.
Then after while 1 found that not
only the COWS, but the sheep and goats
were fed on raw fish.
Finally 1 reached Finland. The
Fins are exceedingly agreeable people.
Now and then [ would come upon a
church in the desert, as you might say,
and there around the church was the
graveyard. No matter if you die 200
or 800 miles away, your people carry
i your body to that grave yard to be
I buried there. l found the clergy well
educated and exceedingly simple and
amiable. Then L went on following the
midnight sun" days and days. Finally
reached the northern extremity of
Europe, and what grand finish it was
to my journey! There stood that mid
night sun and that Polar sea in all it's
stiffness and beauty. At last was
obliged to leave it. 1 went to study the
Norwegians. I found thet three Of my
books had been translated into Nor
wegian and Swedish, and that the peo-
pie knew me somewhat by name. ad-
mired the simplicity of the rich, the
modesty of the women, and the sim
plicity of the whole people. Never
have L seen such honesty as 1 have ex-
perienced among the people there. The
simplicity of manner among the rich
surprised me. / remember being in q
magnificent country seat in the south
of Sweden, owned by man whose an
nual income from land was $15, 900, and
yet his wife daily appeared in calico
dress, with nothing in the shape of
apartment except a velvet ribbon round
her neck. The simplicity of the en-
gagement ring is remarkable. Even
the king would not think of giving more
than simple gold ring as an engage
ment ring. After marriage, two rings
are worn, and three when the lady has
q family of children. The way to travel
in Sweden is exceedingly pleasant. The
roads are just as good as in Central
Park. People fancy it is o long way to
go to Sweden. 1t only takes twelve
days. Go direct to London, and from
there two boats q week leave for Chris
tiana and Stockholm, the duration OF
the journey being about fifty or sixty
hours. The more knew the people the
more I loved them. They are a grand,
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