Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-11

night has not proclaimed knowledge,
yet day unto day has given us speech
about these enlightened lands and
waters. The perpetual daylight keeps
one wakeful. Besides, do not be-
lieve that so much sleep is required
where there is no darkness to coax us
to bed. e
There is much to keep one awake in
these lofty ATTITUDES. If there were
no other living thing, the ever moving
gulls, the FLASHING whales, and the
diving ducks would do it. As we
approach Tromsoe-where | wrote
you last-the elder duck becomes
both a commodity of commerce and a
delight for its domestic virtues. 1t is
worth here s. pound, and it takes
four pounds as taken from the nest
to furnish one marketable pound.
1t is to be seen all about the
islands of these fjords. 1t does not
fly at the approach OF our vessel. The
male is white and black, the female
brown. You may find them among the
rocks on their nests, and handle them
without their being timid. Some Of
their haunts on the isles have crosses
erected upon them, indicating that
the owner of the island insists on ex-
elusive proprietorship. By law all are
prohibited from shooting them. At
Sauna Joan, where we halted, |
looked at them through the glass.
They seemed festive in their playful
plunges, butnotwild, Their feathers
are plucked by themselves to make
nests with. Man removes the soft
down. They then replace again the
| feathers from their own breasts, and
again man removes them. This cannot
be done more than twice. but with
good many ducks the product is con-
siderable.
Ducks are not the only birds of
these ATTITUDES. On some of these is
lands there are congregations of great
numbers and variety. Some of them
seem to be standing as if in prayer;
some kneeling; and all noiseless. A
few screams now and then from the
gull, and the solitude comes again.
| have said that we have seen
whales. This remark is too fshy.
Only two appeared to exhilarate our
society but one Of them made up in
snortiveness what he lacked in size.
He would leap up out of the ford, and
fall awkwardly with bigsplash. But
he was an object of tender solicitude,
as we passed a fisherman in a boat
with a gun making for his blubber.
Along these rocks are also seen
strange piles in circular form, which
resolved themselves into the dried
stock fish. They have been cured by
the sun, and are as hard as the stone
they repose upon. As opportunity
occurs they are sent to the outer
world, and their compensation is in
the salt of Spain and the comforts Of
the fruitful tropics, borne hither by
the vessels which bear them South.
A THEATER IN LAPLAND.
| am called from observing animated
nature by the announcement that
Tromsoe is in sight. All the way,
since very early morning, there has
been a succession of very wintry land
scapes. The mountains are not so
high, though still rugged; but every
where there is snow to their submits
and to the waters edge. Here and
there are a few green spots, which
some one has pre- mpted. But. from
soc, albeit within the Circle, is quite
town. Its red tiles appear imposing
| from its bay. We leave thevessel and
land amid a crowd of indigenous
lockers on. We walk the streets, in
tending to have dinner on shore at
| the Grand Hotel. 1t IS a two-story,
commodious barn, without Competing.
The fresh pine boards are innocent OF
paint. Within its enclosure is thea
ter, and small handbills indicate a
play tonight. 1t is the play Of 1.-THE
Husband and Servant" EIerskab og
| Tjenerskab. In fact, there are two
plays. l mention this to show the
luxury of Lapland. The farce 4
Lam og Lovinde, The Lamb and
the Lioness" -precedes the other, aud
the "Abonnementsforestilling opeBs
at half past eight of the "klock. +"
| We had evidences at the hotel of
this theatrical party by the boxes Of
trunks, and the thin and tragic Bern
hardt look Of one of the actresses.
| Our guide Rene says they are Vanish,
and he knows. enter the theater and,
unobstructed and unchallenged, gal
liant our company even behind the
scenes and into the green room. A
piano in front furnishes the orchestra,
and is a prologue to the swelling
scenes to come. A head gear and a
sword, some paint stuffs, and a few
| gay dresses indicate the sumptuous
wardrobe. AS our vessel resumes its
| Northern journey at G pm and as the
theater opens at $3.50 pm, we shall
miss it. Is it lighted? Yes. Chan
delicrs hang from the ceiling, and,
although there is nightly sunlight
now, yet this is a provision fer dark
winter. When we emerge from the
hotel for stroll school is out and the
little TrOmsoe folks are onthe lookout
? for us. They stand in groups. | ex
anime the school book of one, and
' make picture on the slate Of another
4 wherest all are interested, and chile
/ of ten years volunteers to say that ht
b is in higher class than the younger
o | am patronizing. He speaks English
too. 1t is studied in the schools
= Wandering about the streets we ar
!. followed BY proWds Of little people
d curious to note our motions and on
' dress.
Olive Logan (Sykes) is evidentl
losing her head. In recent letter
0 writing Of a remark the Queen mad
i concerning President Garfeld's con
I Il