The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1881-10-15
THE FAR NORTH.
Frank vincent's NOrsk Lapp and Finn.


On his way to the far north Mr.. Vincent
passes through Denmark and it is aston
i,hng to find how many facts he gathered
about this ea.girt kingdom which will be
new to the majority of readers. He found
that the Danes, though bearing strong
resemblance to the Hanoverians in their
>ellowish hair, blue eyes and square shout
ders, were closely akin to the French in
their manners and customs. They are re-
,narkable hospitable, and fond of gayetv;
their three i11ain recreations are the thea
ire, dancing and playing cards. Of the
manners Of life in Copenhagen and other
cities he gives pleasing picture. The
gentlemen bow to each other in the streets
removing the hat, and even porters and
huckste,s salute each other with great
gravity. Men hug and kiss each other on
parting for a journey or on their return
after long absence. 1t will thus be seen
that the name Of the old-fashioned parlor
game Of Copenhagen is not a 'nisnome,.
Another popularity Of Denmark which
impressed the traveller was the diffusion Of
elementary instruction among the common
people. a person is rarely met who can
not read and write, attendance at school
being compulsory between the ages Of 7
and II.
Copenhagen is remarkable for its beer
halls, theaters, parks and museums. In
the casinos the King and members Of the
royal family are frequently seen strolling
about. The museums are among the most
interesting in Europe and are free to all
visitors. The chief one is the Museum Of
Northern Antiquities, which occupies
twenty rooms. Here are displayed the
treasures Of the Kitchenmiddens-the pot
terry and tools Of the ancient inhabitants OF
the country. Then come relics of the cave
jewellers, stone implements beautifully
polished, bronze tools and arms, and many
gold ornaments. These rooms, together
with the collection Of the Kings Of Den
mark, present complete picture Of the
evolution Of art and ornament from the
earliest ages down TO the present time.
But entertaining as are the chapters on
Denmark, the main interest Of the book cen
tiers in the pictures Of the tar north. OF
Norway Mr.. Vincent does not give very
pleasing impression. He found the country
very "slow"; the people without ambition !;
wretcledly poor, but content with poverty.
He suggested that some Of the beautiful
waterfalls and glaciers, if made accessible
to tourists, would bring in rich returns
but the people shook their heads and could
not be made 10 understand the advantages
of catering to the folly Of the modern
traveller. He is especially severe on the
table manners of the Norwegians. Here
is bit OF Norwegian life:
The same people who bow so ceremon-
iously to each other and express sympathy
and interest in the variest tritles Of life, and
who dance and yrimace fully five minutes
ut an open door before they can determine
which shall enter first, are exceedingly i'll.
bred during meal time. Their knives wan.
der so far down their throat, that one mus,
at least admire their courage, though fail.
ing to appreciate'its object. In these teats
they rival the professional knife .swallowers
Of Bombay. They hold their forks like
pens. Even q four tined fork is not con.
s;dered too unwiedy to use as a toothpick.
All knives are put promiscuously into the
butter dish, which indeed is never pro.
vided with Il separate implement. y
The people ca: most voracioss!y, display.
i"g the appe,ites OF tigers and making di>a-
greeab.e noises with their mouths. They
rise and reach across the table for some.
thing which you could readily pass to them
When the plates are changed at the end OF
course, the knives and forks are apt to be
simply wiped by the waiter upon towel, in
full sight and then conplacently returned
to you. And yet it was the Scandinavians
who won from Voltaire the praise nf being
the "Frcnc!,,ncn Of the North,' on accoun,
Of their punctilious politeness. Kind
hearted and well-meaniny but surely some
what deluded old man.
The chapters devoted to Lapland contain
much fresh material and are very readable
Mr.. Vincent inclines to the opinion tina
the Lapps are OF Monaghan origin, as the,
possess more of the traits of the Monyo
than Of the Caucasian. He made an ex
cursion into the country OF the Gypsy
Lapps--a Tribe that dwclls in the noun
tains. The Laplanders, like the New Zea
landers, MaOris and the Hawaiians, ar.
rapidly dying out. In 1853 the populatio,
Of Lapland was estimated at 3o,ooo: thi
year the official figure show that it onl.
amounts to 1900.
The sketches Of Swedish peasant lift. ar,
very we'll done. The traveller reached
Joggvik, which comprised two houses an.
a barn, at midnight, The entire tamil,
seven in all, so: up to welcome him a: tn,
house where he demanded supper an,
lodging They fed him royalty, but h
waited in vain tor any signs OF preparation
for bed on the part Of the family. The re
mainder of the adventure is best given i
his own words:
My preparations for bed were curiousl
watched by the entire family. was onl
waiting until the young ladies should leav