The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-10
SIGHTS s;GN N STOCKHOLM.
Group OF tho Girile Duclists--Beggars
Ciubs--ithfr Curinsiries

Group Of the Girdlc Duclists--Beggars'
Ciubs--otbtr Curiosities.
Many bronze statues to Sweden's kings
stand In the various squares and parks,
and there is one bronze gronp that holds
the attention longer than any Of these.
II is placed in the grounds Of the Ma
tional museum, and Is the masterpiece
OF the Swedish sculptor Moler, the group
OF the Girde Duelists. According to the
barbarous old custom in Scandinavia.
when quarrel arose between two men,
they were bound together bv girdle
provided with knives. and allowed 10
fight out the duel until one or both had
fallen. This group is worthy of the an
fi9ue for the splendid physique Of the
actors and fearful interest Of the strife.
Each has seized with his left hand the
right hand of his foe, which grasps the
murderous short knife, and both wrestle
for life with terrible energy. 1t is said
that these combats were so universally
fatal that women carried winding sheets
with them TO the banquets. where their
husbands might he slain.
-Four has reliefs on the pedestal with
Runic inscriptions show such n scene
two men drinking together, while the
lovely wife of one Of them stands by.
The jealous anger reused by some undue
attention on the part Of the guest, the
wife on her knees endeavoring TO prevent
the quarrel and lastly the poor thing
weeping alone by the gravestcne Of her
husband. A memorial such as this of
ancient customs has always an interest
independent Of its artistic value; and this
Interest attaches to great many objects
IN the collection of the Northern Museum.
an institution devoted TO the preservation
Of Scandinavian relics and curiosities.
20 see here forest Of the tall pixies and
battle axes 50 formidable of old cruel,
muderous looking instruments ten feet
long. their blades and heads rusted as if
with the blood Of enemies; ancient swords
and helmets together with innumerable
articles of more peaceful household use /;
rude looms that might have woven the
garments Of the Vikings, and the odd
hand mangles used for smoothing linen
heavy pieces II wood. T. ,ished on the
under side, and deliberately carved above,
with handles usually representing horses.
1t seems impossible That such fat irons
should have been very eflicacious, but
here they are by the hundred
Odder still arc the kubbestols- chairs
made Of the trunks Of trees-Or Eubbes
whence our stubs" | suppose, the
edges Of the seats ornamented with, Of
all things in the world, human teeth,
driven into the solid wood. These are
no. relics Of battle, as one might sup
pose, but the teeth lost 10y the family Of
the owner Of the chair. preserved in this
manner as a charm against future tooth
ache. Little white milk teeth make IN
agreeable variety with huge molars that
evidently ached enough before they came
10 this end. Here, too is another relic
Of ancient manners-beggars' clubs
These formidable weapons were given 10
begears 10 enable them 10 obtain relief
at the next house they came TO. What
q comfortable thing it would be if one Of
Us could get rid of IN inpOrtunatc tramp
by giving him q club 90 compel our next
neighbor to entertain himi Wonder is a
bundle of Runic stayes-canes or long
pieces Of wool carved with runes, or sem
fences in Ruuic characters, usually
quoted from one Of the sages. Whether
these were considered Is charms. or only,
like the Jewish phylacterics. used to keep
in mind some sacred text, we could not
learn
One room is fitted upin compartments,
each representing kitchen or living
room Of some primitive dwelling in Fin
land, or Iceland perhaps; with life size
figures in appropriate costume, sur
rounded with the very furniture and pot
terry brought from such houses, all in
some interesting position. 4 man re-
ceiving an official message brought by
an envoy in one Of the old "bud striker,
or message sticks which lac III ms turn
is bound to carry for a certain distance,
and if 40 one is at hand to take it, to
stick il in the Garth until some one comes
along. as if our mail bags should be laid
on a rock at a certain place and left for
the next passer TO take charge OF! An
other group shows a girl receiving pres
ents when the bans Of her marriage are
proclaimed: third, a Lapland family
mourning over a dead child. All the
figures are very lifelike. But time would
fail me to speak OF the various museums
and their treasures. Stockholm Cor. san
Francisco Chronicle.