The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-25
LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT sun.
Swedes, NorWeigans and Other Peoples of the
Far Northern Regions.

Tho lecture at Y. NJ C. A Hall last night. by
Mr.. c. E. Bolton was heard by a large audience,
the gallery, in addition to the lower floor, being
well occupied The rather attractive subject Of
the lecturer was LANDS OF the Midnight Sun"
His descriptions were extensively illustrated BY
means OF the stereopticon, there being about
sixty views He began by referring to his de-
parture from London by steamer to Scandi-
navia, and alluded to the cities Upsula and
Gustav Visa, pronouncing the latter the
Washington of Sweden Then he proceeded to
Stockholm, which he characterized assthe Venice
of the North. He said the Swedes are o liberty
loving people. and that Norway would be a re-
public before many years He created a great
deal of amusement by showing in sue cession
pictures of the young Princess Victoria and a
Norwegian peasant bridal couple. He however.
praised that race OF people very highly, calling
attenti on to the fact that they had liberty when
everybody else in Europe was a slave.
They were also very hospitable. Whenever
he entered Norwegian village the people
rushed out to greet him, and to ask about their
friends and relatives in America when they
found out that he American. They all
think great deal of America, to which country
they were migrating in large numbers The
lecturer thought they were very desirable immi-
grants. as they were the most honest people on
the face of the globe. When they came to this
door-loc elk was, as they never had heard of such
thing before. In Minnesota . large number Of
the county officers were Norwegian set
tiers great popularity of the people
is their love of flowers, the roofs of many dwell
ings in their towns being covered with flowers
some red with geraniums others white with
daisies They were, also, a very temperate Deo-
pie About the only way in which they used
bottle was to carry lighted candle in it, which
they did as regular custom. He thought it
would be good thing if Americans would apply
the bottle to the same use, instead Of to what
they too often did. Referring to the prevalence
of flowers in the northern country. the lecturer
said you would sometimes see snow on one side
of a roadway and flower on the other.
The lecturer briefly referred to the history of
John Ericsson and Ole Bull. two Norwegians,
who became famous in this country. Ericsson
had saved the alton by building the Monitor.
He and Ole Bull had been acouaintances in the
fatherland. but did not meet in this country IN
til after both had become famous. Ericsson
would never manifest any interest in music
til Bull ore day got him to discussing the theory
of music, and. in order to illustrate what he was
saying, got to playing air before Ericsson
had fairly realized it. The latter became SO
charmed that he has since been a devoted lover
OF music.
hearers to Lapland and Finland, although he
first referred to the great home of the Goldfish
which exists on the coasts of Norway. 1t was
the finest place for that fish in the world. Prof.
Huxley had said that it would take a
million herring to give the Goldfish a
breakfast on the coast Of Norway.
fishing for them The Laplanders and Fin
landers we're far from q progressing people.
AID illustrated the folly of the idea that fish food
made strong brains. The childrens of these peo-
pie were quite white at BIRTH but became yell
low from close confinement in the dark huts.
The measure of wealth in Lapland was the num-
Der of RENDERS q owned of the
wealthiest men owned many as 5000 and
ZOO of these animals. The speaker described she
midnight sun which never set in this region. 1t
was, he said, "a awe-inspiring sight to who
was native of other lands. He did not wonder
that the sun had once had worshipers in that
region. He then described his journey from
Lapiand to Greenland. and from there to the
Arctic ocean. speaking at some length of the ex-
p1orations of Franklin, Mares and Greedy, as
we'll as the party which rescued the last named.
He predicted that an American would yet plant
a United States flag at the north pole. The lect-
ure was greatly enjoyed. and Mr.. Bolton was
given hearty round of applause at its con-
eI11sion