The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-03
THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT sun.
spondsnce Of tho Indianapolis Journal


Correspondence of tho indianapolis Journal
STOCKHOLM. Sweden, Dec. IL, 1SS5.-This is
the season of the year when the sum- in this lati-
tude. is chary of his countenance, and shows
himself but six hours of the twenty four. And
each day, as though wearied with his efforts of
the day before. he diminishes this number.
About o'clock he swings his red face up out of
the Baltic, describing snail arc across the
southern horizon, hastens down behind the hills
back of Lake Malas, and by o'clock has sunk
to rest, to renew the operation on
the morrow. only with a little more
laggardness. His rays fall so feebly aslant the
earth's surface that not one single frostwoyen
filament is disturbed, while nature works out
her wonderful conceptions in ice and snow with
cat being the least distrustful that her magic
handiwork will be disturbed by the god of day.
little after o'clock the lamps are lit on the
streets, and out from the windows Of the houses
stream the artificial light that does duty while
the SIM is hiding his diminished head
l used to know, away back in Indiana
a pleasant company of genial fellows who
never knew too long a night, and were
they in this city, as l am, they would
have abundant opportunity in which to test their
preference for darkness. To me. however the
nights. although long and somewhat tedious,
have much that is agreeable They are my let
ter and newspaper writing hours, and when
SIT down In this oppressive stiffness to write
some friend at home it seems for the time
space is annihilated, and am brought into closer
contact with those whose memory try to keep
green In this frosty latitude. There is another
that is furnished in the wonderful beauty Of the
heavens on clear night. II the armament tes-
titles to Gods handiwork it is in this latitude.
1.-THE spacious armament on high,
With all the blue, ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim"
The great arch is deep steel blue, set with
countless stars of all magnitudes, that shine out
from their depths with the most beautiful lustre
A few nights since one of the most splendid
heavenly phenomena that it was ever my good
fortune to witness took place 1t was perfect
night so far as atmosphere and freedom from
clouds could make it SO. About o'clock, just
as the first shadows were darkening into
more sombre shade, the heavens were
suddenly lit up with shower of falling stars
So numerous were they that it seemed that each
particular one had started from its place and
was being hurled in zig-zag course leaving
behind stream of coiored light. towards the
earth. Some would project themselves straight
zenith. leaving dazzling wake like that made
by sky rocket The streets were full of people
witnessing this splendid display of heavenly fire.
works, and was not surprised to hear next day
that the superstitious ascribed some fearful
portent to this harmless and beauti-
full free exhibition the part of nature.
the Swede is gregarious in his social habits, and
these long nights afford him great opportunities
for social and friendly intercourse. From the
humber to the higher ranks the same observance
is had-not. of course, is there so much ceremony
among the poorer class, yet caste is everywhere
noticeable. and the distinctive line is drawn
taut among all conditions of life. There is
generous hospitality, cordial welcome. and
charming politeness among this people that at
once causes the stranger within their walls to
feel he is present because he is wanted and not
because it would be the polite thing to have him
there. These are phases of the domestic life of
the Swedes that are most admirable; but not
until after I get through the holidays, when 1
will have seen it under lutte different light,
without either its shadows or its shades will
give you my Impressions NJ