Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-11-16
THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT
SUN.

There is no accounting for the taste:
of travellers. Mr. Paul Du Chaillr
was born in Africa, where he made
wonderful journeys and discoveries
that earned him worldwide honor; but
although he proved himself superior tc
all the torments of equatorial travel, il
was quite natural to suppose that year
ly, after his return, be would, on the
approach of winter, hurry shiveringly
from New York to at least the shores OF
the Gulf of Mexico. What he really
did, however, when seized anew by the
fever of travel, was to cross the Allan
tic and go as near to the north pole as
the route by land would allow. Fol-
five years he remained within or near
the arctic circle; and although thou.
sands of his admirers declared that his
imprudence would cost him his life, he
returned in enviable health, having en-.
tirely escaped even the rheumatism
| that is supposed to claim for its own all
travellers from mildef climes.
One important result of his trip is a
large and extremely interesting book,
just published simultaneously in Amer
lea, England, Germany, France, Swe-
dSa, and Denmark-an incident unpar.
alleled in the history of book publica-
tion.
Like the authors otEer works, "The
Land of the Midnight Sun" derives
mpch of its charm from the novelty of
the scenes and people described Por-
tions of Scandinavia have a. times ex-
erted mighty influences on the remain
der of Europe, SO it would seem that at
least the southern parts of Sweden and
Norway would attract the attention of
many writers To Mr.. Du Chaillu,
however, belongs the honor of having
written the first comprehensive sketch
of the country and its inhabitants. The
Scandinavian peninsula now devotes
it's attention strictly to its own affairs.
1t Is not On the road between the re-
mainder of Europe and anywhere in
particular so, excepting few English
sportsmen and an occasional party
whose first desire il to see the sun at
midnight, their second longing being
to get back to their comfortable homes
as soon as possible, the foreigner is sell
dom seen in the land, so the natives
are simply what their own surround
ings have made them, and their dress,
customs and homes are in great part
unlike those of any other country.
Where else in the world is the buyer
trusted to make out his own bills ?
Where else do parents go to bed at
night before their daughters lovers ar
rivei In what other part OF Europe
are there provinces where there are
jails that are never occupied, wnere the
annual death rate is not one per cent,
and where jurymen are elected by the
people, instead of being drawn hap-haz-
ard from among such citizens as are not
smart enough to shirk jury duty? Near
ly every one of Mr.. Du Chaillu's de-
scriptions of the people compels the
reader to believe that if the descend
ants of Vikings are so honest, indus
trious, peaceable and hearty, the dread
ed incursions Of alleged marauders did
not do England any great harm after.
all.
The most striking quality of Scandi-
navian character seems to be hospitali-
ty. Throughout, Norway, Sweden
and the far north the author was hear
tily received by every one, from the
king in his palace to the Laplander in
his tent. During FIVE years of almost
incessant travel, in the course of which
every part of the peninsula was visited
Mr.. Du Chaillu was coolly treated Only
once. The Swedes and Norwegians
have the reputation of being reserved
and cold, but this is true of them only
when they meet strangers of the class
best suggested by the word Tourist. +"
To any one whose interest in them can
not be measured by stare or two and
few impertinent questions they are
unsuspicious and communicative, as
well as cordial to the verge of affection.
Mr. Du Chaillu went among them free
ly, conversed with them in their lam
guage, wore garments like their own,
and took part in their labors, sports
and ceremonies. The treatment he re-
eeiyed in return causes him to speak
most enthusiastically in praise of their
sociability and kindness.
AS in all other countries that retain
primitive habits, hospitality in Scandi-
navia always implies eating and drink
ing. The poorest farmer or fisherman
always has something to offer the Wis.,
itor, and lack of appetite is generally
construed as a slight. The author
mentions one occasion on which, TO
avoid hurting anyone's feelings, he ate
thirty times in two days, and drank
thirty -four cups of coffee. Often strong
cheese is offered just before meal to
provoke appetite, and in the cities a
formal dinner is preceded by smor-
gas, or lunch, at table crowded with
alleged appetizers. On single smor-
gas table the author noted smoked rein
deer meat, smoked salmon with poach-
ed eggs, caViare, fried sausage, ancho-
w, smoked goose breast, cucumbers,
raw salt herring, several kinds of cheese
and as many of bread, and a salad
made of picked herring, boiled meat,
potatoes, eggs, beets and onions. There
were also three kinds of spirits on the
table, aud from these and the various
dishes the guests helped themselves
bountifully, and then did justice to an
excellent dinner. An American who
would attempt by such means to gain
an appetite would be helpless before
reaching the dinner table, and his dys.
pepsia would be one of the most won
derful cases on record but the Swedes
seldom complain of Indigestion, and
they certainly live longer than their
Western neighbors.
There is delicious satire in the fact
the Norseman OF the present day, the
descendant of the most famous robbers
that overran Europe, is distinguished
1 ohoro oil ofhor EurnpaoD for b;S hon