Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-29
WONDERFUL TALES
From the Land OF the M dnIgbt sun,
where she Streets are not only
Well Paved, but Kept Clean.
Christtania Cor ST. Louis Rep,.blicn,

ChriSttGnia Cor. st. Louis Republican,
have halted on this side of the Gland
of the midnight sum-" 1t requires the
enthusiasm, courage and endurance of
Du Chsillu to penetrate that forbidding
country, but not having those qualities
sufficiently | will content myself with
some observations about the people on
the threshold of that inhospitable re-
gion.
In 1915 the legislative authorities of
Sweden and Norway drew up and
adopted a formal act of union, fully
recognizing Bernadotte--one of Nap0-
Icons Marshals--as King. with the title
of Charles XIV. Bernadotte, by his
wise administration, endeared himself to
the people of both kingdoms, and his
descendants still rule with wisdom and
popularity.
Norway, with 2 population Of 1,900,-
000-much less than the State of Mis-
souri-maintains apublic debt of twenty
seven millions of dollars, a feet of
thirty-fOur armed steamers and ninety
sailing vessels. The latter are small and
used for coast defense It has COM
mercial marine of 5000 vessels, manned
by more than SO, 900 sailors, hardy and
world-renOwned for seamanship, and an
aggregate tonnage of more than 800
600. It is the largest commercial marine
in the world, in proportion to her popu-
lation. She can, in case of need-''land-
strom" bring into the field 1000 men,
exclusive of $4,000 registered for navy
service. She has nearly 1000 miles of
railroad and 5000 miles of telegraph
lines Education is at public expense
and compulsory. Parents are required to
send their children to school from the
age of to IA years. The religion of
the people is almost exclusively
Lutheran. There are but 1000 dissenters
All denominations and sects of Chris
tians and other creeds (the order of the
Jesuits excepted are tolerated. The
intelligence and morality of the people
challenge comparison. The country is
essentially agricultural and pastoral. but
with commercial relations with all parts
OF the world that give ample proof of
energy and enterprise. Emigration
promises to be larger this year than it
was last, and mainly to the United
States. A people who have done so
much for material and moral develop
ment in a country that requires a con-
slant struggle, by reason of the rigor of
its climate and stubbornness of soil, to
maintain rank in the scale of modern
competitions, must be desirable aoqui-
sitiOn to any country, and need not say
that they are most welcome to our more
favored land with doors thrown wide
open for them. The Norwegian is
proverbial for his polite deport-
ment and in appearance will
compare favorablY with the
German race, from whom, it is believed,
they descended. The women, though
lacking perhaps in the exceptionally
high standard of American beauty, have
fine forms and intelligent faces, and are,
judging from my limited opportunity to
form an opinion, better looking than the
women of Denmark. There l looked in
vain for fair Ophelia," and was forced
to the conclusion that the immortal poet
had somewhat drawn on his imagination,
and that the melancholy Dane was not
over fastidious. Certainly have yet to
see one of the fair of Denmark, whose
graces would call forth the enthusiasm
and expression of aesthetic taste of a
very competent gentleman in our city in
such matters, and socially known for
his just appreciation of all that pertains
TO the fair sex, but better publicly known
for his Interpretation of the law and its
enforcement, with zeal and ability, when
the protection, decency and order of the
community demand it.
Do not understand me as speaking dis
paragingly of Denmark. While she
may suffer by comparison, in the respect
alluded to, there is to be seen in her capt.
tsl that which fully compensates and
surpasses in comparison with many
others The genius of ThorWaldsen is
there illustrated in a manner that does
the greatest honor to Copenhagen, and
affords inexpressible delights to the
traveller, and for such, / am sure, all
will pay the tribute of unqualified praise
And there is her Museum Of Northern
Antiquities, where the prehistoric flint
period and the ages of bronze and iron
find illustrations that would make the
student in archaeology go into raptures.
Christiania, with population of 49,
600, is beautifully situated at the north
end of Christiana Fiord, in latitude 90