Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-31
Letter From Sweden.
WINTER SUysEr AT SToCKHoLM--RfDDAR-
HOLM CHrRcH-THE BURrAL PLACE OF
KINGS AND HEKoEs-THE RorsL PALACE
-Sro~xHoLM-THE MILD WEATHER
STOCKHOLM Dec. %. 1850.

The ever faithful CITY CLOCK Indicates . ~ al
ternoon just as the sun is closing IFS briefyisit
for the day in this part of the world and pour
ing food Of brilliant crimson and gold on
all material things in the direction where II
is making its royal exit. There is deiicacy
and mellow richness Of tint in the sunset
painting. Of the Swedish skies. especially IN
the winter months. which is remarkable. If
the illuminated horizon of the tropics has
sometimes more brilliant carnation. and the
luxuriance Of coloring poured on the clouds
Of Italy and the countries Of the Rio de la
Plata may be more vivid and superaoound-
ing, there is yet purity and serene beauty
in the dyes which the sun here flashes on the
clouds and the sky at its setting, which can
not be surpassed in the inspiring fascination
which does no, weary the gaze of the behold
er, and makes one feel that those wondrous
curtains of light must belong TO fairer
world than this.
The spire of RiddarhGlm church, fine
piece Of iron iracery work. three hundred
feet in height-blends softly with the illumi-
mated clouds and reflects the pencilings of
surprising beauty which the bril-
liant twilight continues for no in
considerable time after the sun disappears
This church was originally built six hundred
years ago, by the son of the founder of the
city. But fires and reconstruction have
much altered its original Gothic style, and
surrounding sepulchral chapels have been
added for the burial of Swedish kings and
covered with tomb stones, on which are en-
graved the names Of the historical persons
whose remains "herc rest in peace" undis-
turbed by the tread of those who annually
guished themselves in the council chambers
and on the tented field. Here, at the right of
the altar Of one of the principal chOirs, may
be seen the sarcophagus, Of green Italian
marble. in which rest the ashes of the heroic
champion Of the Protestant cause in the Thir
ty Years War, the Great Adolphus, who fell
sword in hand on the bloody field of Lutzen,
victorious in death, November l632-one of
of Europe's history. Near by repose the re-
mains of various others of the Vasa royal
line. Adjoining is the sepuchral choir Of
the present ruling dynasty of Sweden where.
beautiful piece of work of great value, a copy
Of Agrippis at Rome. repose the remains of
one who distinguished himself as n French
General and Marshal of Napoleon-Berna-
dotte, afterwards King of Sweden as
Charles XIV. In the vault below
are entombed the Queen of Bernadotte, his
son Oscar |. with his sons Gustavus, August
and Charles, his eldest son and successor.
who died in 1872, and his Queen Louise.
Near the altar on the left in another chapel
built two centuries since, are buried the
Charleses Y, XI, and MI, and Frederick I,
with their queens. children and relatives.
Charles XII, that fiery meteor who flashed so
brilliantly across the political and military
horizon of Europe, the Napoleon of his time,
who finally persisted Young man amid the
ice and cold at Frederckshald. was never
married. His sarcophagus of white marble
on a green pedestal. is covered with gilded
lion skin. and surmounted b. crown, sceptre
and sword. Near by is entombed with signal
marks of honor the dust of that distinguished
military commander. a pupil of the Great
Adolphus in the art of war, who, after the
fall of his chief At Lntzen, did so much BY his
genius to maintain the power of the Swedish
arms and the success of the Protestant cause
on German battle-fe Schiller has bril-
liantlv told the story Of Torstensons mastery
campaigns and successful battles who though
broken down in body and marked for death
he J;sansa carrioI on Iittnr in hi, rand
marches and suffering with pam, by sheer
force of will and bold resolution triumphed
over tremendous obstacles and inspired his
soldiers with courage and victory.
At short distance from the church of
Riddarholm is the ROYAL palace. Its COM
handing position on the most elevated
ground of the central island of the CITY,
on all sides of which are the waters of the
Malar Lake on their passage to the Baltic,
its massive structure and the picturesqueness
Of its surroundings. tend to give it an i'm
posing aspect from whatever side it may be
viewed. 1t was planned and mostly built
nearly two centuries ago, when Sweden was
one of the leading powers Of Europe. The |
design is by Tessin. a well-known architect |
Of the seventeenth century. and its stvle is |
purely Italian. The dimensions of this
building are four hundred and eighteen BY |
three hundred and ninetv-two feet. the main |
edifce, and four lofty stories in height. Civ
ing il an altitude of from sixty or seventy |
feet. with four wings of lesser height each |
one hundred and sixty-fve bv fifty-one feet |
The wings are built on straight lines with |
front and rear. there is a continuous |
straight frontage Of seven hundred and forty |
eight feet. One of the wings has less extern |
sion than the others, owing to the proximity
of St Nicholas church. but this is st rear
corner, and so skillfuly adjusted to other
buildings as not to mar the general harmony Of
the ediice. or even be perceptible. This
palace and the church before described
blending with the surrounding waters and
painted in the rich glow Of Swedish sun
set. make striking picture.
The oldest city privileges of Stockholm
date from 1855. They were granted by the
king of the country at that time.
Berger Jarl. who ruled from
1850 to 1866. His son Waldemar was chosen
king in 1866. and removed his court to Stock
holm in 1872. The first decided influence
which tended to the creation of city here. is
said to have come from Berger Jarl. The
well-manned war vessels of the Vikiags-the
sea chettains of the North. in the middle age
and later centures-were accustomed some
times to come from the Baltic, past where
Stockholm now stands. up Lake Malar and
its adjacent waters, to sack and rob the viii
Ia res and towns On their borders To mt n