The Democratic advocate., 1891-03-21
Our 0lio.
The Scandinavian Cities.
From lhe New York obseryer.

in the north, that Gothenburg had the air
of an English business town, that Chris
tiania had an American atmosphere, and
that Copenhagen seemed mixture of 4
German city and Dutch seaport.
In Stockholm royalty makes itself felt,
and increases the formality and politeness
which is natural and universal among the
Swedes. 1t has palaces and public build
ings suited to a capital, and whatever Of
display the nation makes, is made there.
There are not many foreigners living in
/ Stockholm, except as they are attached to
the embassies of different nations, and bus
iness is subordinate.
In Gothenburg business is the principal
thing; there are some important industries,
and many English and Scotch have settled
in the town and its neighborhood, who have
developed its commerce and increased its
prosperity while making also their own
fortunes. Fine buildings erected by pri-
vate owners have superseded the old houses,
and except for the clear sky and brilliant
sun, one would easily imagine himself in
Great Britain. English is also largely
spoken, and in society many people who
know England and Scotland from birth or
long residence there, are met.
Christiania is capital, and has palace
to which the king comes yearly when he
opens the .Sorthing or Parliament, but it
does not make much of royalty; there is a
large party that would rather be without a
king, and the general tendency of the town,
as well as of Norway is democratic. While
Sweden has retained her nobility and titles,
they are almost entirely abolished in Nor
way, and the large emigration to America
has had reflex influence upon tie coun-
try from which the emigrants came, greater
than in the case of almost any other people
The habits of thought and business meth
ods, and many of the customs of the people
seem very natural to an American, who
easily finds himself at home in Christiana
and this is especially the ease, if he has the
acquaintance of the courteous and accom-
plished representative of the United States
Mr.. Gerhard Gade, who for more than fif.
teen years has honOred the American hae
and entertained with great hospitality those
who have visited Norway from the United
States. The number of American tourists
and travellers who journey in summer tC
the North Cape is yearly increasing, and as
these mostly pass through Christiania in
going or returning, they leave not only theil
dollars, but somewhat of influence upon an
impressible and favorably disposed commu
nifty.
When we come to Copenhagen every
thing is changed. 1t is pre-eminently ;
seaport Its excellent situation, its ancient
prestige as maritime city, its extensive
shipping, plying not only to all northern
lands during the summer, but carrying
trade in its vessels to all parts of the world
its quays and canals and splendid exchange
all proclaim its character Sailors are fire.
quent in its streets, flags of all nations wave
from its buildings, and there is n mercantile
air about the town as marked as in Liver
pool or New York. But Copenhagen is
also the capital of Denmark, and the resi-
dence of its King and Court. There are
ancient palaces, and formidable towers, and
soldiers on guard, and formality and eti-
quette in society which are almost as stern
and sacred as in the German Empire
Hence the city is mixture of incongruous
elements. Viewed from the outside, with
its many nationalities in the streets, with
the "tivolis' and gardens incircling the
town, it seems almost one great cafe chan
tan. Viewed from within, with the dig
nifty of court manners, the large and solemn
congregations singing slow chorals in the
great churches, and the military aspect OF
many things, it seems like city of that
German Empire which is now the great
conservative force in Europe This gives
a certain piquancy and zest to the place
and the traveller who has not seen Copen.
hagen has treat in store. There is q
museum of antiquities that can hardly be
paralleled in the world; there is complete
collection of Thorwaldsens works which
are alone worth journey to Europe; there
are treasures of the Middle Ages in the
Rosenberg Palace, and churches which date
to the time of the Reformation there is a
geological and Botanical Garden, and more
excellent entertainment to be had in the
'eTivoli' for twenty-five cents on any sum
mer evening than New York could furnish
if Couey Island and Theodore Thomas ant
Barnum should combine to give perfor
nance in the Central Park. 1t might b,
expected that such heterogeneous mixture
would be dlsorderly and immoral, but th'
evidence and testimony are all the othei
way. For seaport, Copenhagen has a re
markable reputation for good order anC
discipline The Danes are selfrespect
ing people, from their king down, ant
hence they are repected at home and abroad
In these northern countries there hav,
been many more travellers, both Englisl
and American, than in any year before
The Americans have the better reputation
for though they do not spend as mucf
money as the English, and have their fail
ings which are prominent enough, yet they
trdternise with all the peoples among whom
they travel, and carry with them no as
cu,nrfion IF sunariora avcellanca xvhicl