Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-16
For the Journal
The Summer Feast Day of Sweden.
STOCKHOLM, June "a, 1878,

STOCKHOLM. June "a, 1878.
To-day has been full of stirring interest and be-
wtching fascination to the Scandinavian people
and serene skies, and clear and stimulating at
mosphere have favored them in this great festival
of the season. 1t is the Midsummer Day of the
Swedes, and it has been observed with every form
of gala. exciteme Mt, and joy. II is eagerly antci
pated by the young and old, and all classes partci
pate in the wild enthusiasm. 1t is thus celebrated
because it is the longest day of the year, the TWEEN
ty four hours the most completely void of the
semblance of real night The sun rises at 2 :43.
aud sets at 9:lS The dawn begins so early and
twilight continues so late, that they really meet
and blend at midnight The binds begin their
songs at one o'clock in the morning, and some of
them get so intoxicated by the continu GUS flow OF
light that they begin to sing an hour esrlier-at
twelve.
Early summer is the season when Sweden is al
its best. The air is clear, bracing and salubrous,
and Nature seems instinct with feeling and
thought. Vegetation is fully under way, i. push
ing forward rank and rapid, and seems almost
tropical in its flow of deep green. Nine cen hours
per day of sunlight and the necessary quota of
showers can not fail to render June s,rkngy 10
contrast to January, when the sun makes a very
hss'y daily visit, and lamplight is a welcome com
panon at nine in the morning and at three in the
afternoon.
A glimpse of the Swedish capital in this gala
day may not be without interest to the readers of
the journal. The situation of Stockholm is very
striking, and admitted to be unsurpassed in the
picture sque and the beautiful. Lake Melar, here
passing into the Baltic, makes river of gentle
current, which is divided by islands on which and
the opposite shores and ridges the city is built,
covering large area for population OF 100000.
The fluctuations of soil and rock and the curved
lines of water boundary, the peopled islets amid
the sparkling stream, the rich foliage, shrubbery
aud trees, greet the eye wherever 1t turns. The
approaches to the city, whether on the side Of
M@lar or the Baltic, are signally novel and beau
hiul, commanding views and pictures rarely sur
passed. Public gardens, SUNNI er palaces country
residences. and smiling landscapes, extend along
the shores of the lake. while on the side toward
the Baltic, there Is striking blending of rocks,
wooded heights, noble amphitheatre of bold cliff
aud romantic dell. reflected in the clear waters
as they glide on having the shores of the
thousand isles ere they mingle with the sea
stockholm has not been inaptly termed the
Venice of Northern Europe. The numerou.
water roads made by the parted currents of the
Mp'ar, cutting the CRY area into islands. points
and promobtorles, requir ng numerous bridge.
and afiordlng the foamng pathway of the boat OF
oar, sail, aud steam, and the easy transit of busi
ness and pleasure of the entire city, especial,
convenient for the tbronging thousa nds on tn,
public days. The ferry boats of antique model
formerly propelled by the robust Dalecsrliar
women in their provincial costume of brlan,
| colors, have been superseded by the steam Condo
swlth their white canvass awnings. These carr,
passengers from all points Of the city, for tn,
trifing fare OF less than three cents, to the suburbs
the parks, adjacent bays and islands, the picpi,
grounds, allowing nearly the entire population Il
90 out and share in the festivities of Mid Summe,
Day.
Perhaps no city in the world lie better provided
with public gardens and ,qnsres, extensive parks
near lying forests, fine carriage drives, and we'll
protect d sheets of water for boating and sailing
These squares and parks are we'll ornamened with
shruobery, shade trees aud fountains, and provid-
ed with innumerabls paths and walks covered with
coarse, brown sand kept scrupuIouslv clean. The
largest park, the famous Djurgaard, pronoun ced
by tourists, and smsteurs one of the finest of En-
rope is outside the city, but united to Il by brdp,
snd many lines OF little steamers. is nearly foul