Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-06

woods, and for over six weeks we have
splendid weather for lumbermen. Only
few days has the snow melted 10 make
1t uncomfortable for ones feet and legs.
II has been steady cold, just snow enough
for loaded teams 10 pass through the woods
anywhere, and every man and team in this
vicinity fnds employment. II the winter
continues favorable there will be the larg-
es. cut of lumber for years. Hay is scarce
and farmers who have 1t for sale ask Sl5
| per ton. There is much complaint that
/ hay does not spend well. 1t was thought
/ in the fall, hay would be plenty. Many
cattle and sheep We're sold and driven of,
aud there is no old hay, aud the new crop
less than an average. The fall feed was
very short. Cattle came 10 the barn early,
and in poor condition and very hungry.
We have an ample surplus market for all
kinds OF farm produce at remuueratiye
prices oats, 55c. corn, 90c. potatoes,
sc beans, 50 per bushel. Men get from
$50 to $50, and some OF the best teamsters
I SIS per month.
Mrs. Nancy Chandler, wife OF the late
Moses Chandler, had paralytic shock last
June, and has been helpless since. Mrs.
/ c. is lady advanced in years and her re-
covery j. doubtful. Mr.. Nathaniel Swan,
one Of our oldest citizens, has been in very
feeble health for few weeks past. aud his
friends opine his stay on earth is short.
Considerable sickness prevails in this
vicinity.
The long spell OF cold weather has made
an unusually large quantity OF splendid ice
and the ice-men have secured q large
amount, and /, IS from Is TO 20 inches in
/ thickness.
Henry Goddard has recently made ex-
tensive repairs in his saw-miu at South
Bethel and has put in new single ms
chine, which IS needed very much in this
vicinity.
Hon. W. W. Thomas OF Portland. deliy-
cred his lecture, Rambles in Norway,
last Monday evening, Jan. 10Th. The lee
ture was very interesting and thoroughly
appreciated by good audience. Mr..
Thomas, near the close OF our late war,
went on a vacation tour 20 that country,
and spent several months in extensive
travelling. In his address he gave a run
ming sketch Of bis observations while
there. He said what constitutes south
and west parts OF Norway is one continu-
Gus tract Of rocky highlands, with steep
decliyities dipping into the sea and only
here ard there broken by narrow strips OF
arabic land The peculiar physical char
acter OF Norway necessarily gives rise 20
great varieties OF climate in different parts
Of the country The influence Of the sea
and the Gulf Stream greatly modify the Sc
verify Of the climate in different parts Of
the country, especially on the west coast.
The protracted winter OF the north re-
gious follows almost suddenly on the dis
appearance Of the sun, when the absence Of
solar light is compensated for by the ire
Queut appearance Of the aurora borealis
which shines with sufficient intensity TO
allow the prosecution Of ordinary occupa-
lions. The speaker said IL was estimated
one-fOrtieth Of the area Of Norway with its
elevations exceeding 9,009 feet above the
level Of the sea, lies within the region OF
perpetual snow. Only birch and juniper
grow north Of 67 ., which is the bouuda- |
~ Of the pine. Agriculture is success
fully prosecuted in the srnts OF Jarls5erg
and Lanrvik and in the south generally.
Fish are caught in almost every stream
and lake as well as in the fjords Of the
coast. He spoke OF the administration OF
Norway as being divided into 90 "arnts"
su0divided into 65 fogdeyier, each presid-
ell over by rural magistrate and contain
ing in all 446 herreder districts which have
similarly their own judicial or official
heads. The Lutheran is the predominant
Church, 10 which all persons holding pub.
lie offices Of trust must belong. Much is
being done in Norway for the diffusion of
knowledge and extending education 10 the
inhabitants OF the most inaccessible dis |
tricts by means Of itlnerant teaches,
certain number Of whom, corresponding
70 the number Of farmers in each parish,
are nominated 10 the Office Of schoolmas- |
ter. These teachers proceed from house
TO house, being supplied with a school
room and fed by each householder, and by |
the aid of these means education Is so diff |
fused that il is rare TO meet with Norweg- |
ians who cannot read and write.
The next lecture will be delivered by |
". E. Geuld, esq, OF Portland, February
10Th. C.
BETHEL, Feb. ! Academy Notes.-The |
winter term closes next Thursday with a
public examination from nine to one
o'clock. The exercises will consist of
class Rotations, readings, destinations,
and a Longfellow exercise, the latter con-
Quoted by Miss Parker. The term has
been one OF the most prosperous winter
terms for years, and although the attend
ance was not quite as large as In the pre-
ceeding fall, yet the interest Of the pupils
in their work seemed undated, and the
classes have made thorough progress.
The number of visitors argues well for the
interest of the towns-people in the institu-
ton.
The Spring term commences Tuesday,
FEB. n, aud the prospects are for large "