New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-27
IRSEN'S BIRTHPLACE.
GREAT NUMBERS OF TOURISTS VISIT THE
NORWEGIAN TOWN OF SKIEN.


skien, Norway. Aug. BIAS the birthplace Of Hen
rk Ibsen the little town Of sklen has become the goal
Of thousands of tourists within the last few years.
During season have so many visitors trod the old
fashioned streets as in the summer Just past This
has been due In part TO the fact doubt, that Ibsen
himself has returned TO Norway for the first time in
many years and to the growing love Of tourists for the
delightful and picturesque Land OF the Midnight SGn.'
Skien lies about $50 miles from Chrisiana and csa
be reached In seven or eight hours either BY railway
or boat 1t is the capital of the province Of Tele
markcn, which has given many peasantpocts 20 Nor
way. Among them was Herr Wine, n school comrade
Of Ibsen and Bioernson who died in 1870, and known
sometimes as the "Voaire of Scandinavia sklen To-
day numbers 1000 inhabitants. Despite its age and
historical traditions, 1t Is essentially modern town,
filled with factories and the signs Of trade and
merce. The modern appearance Of the greater part Of
the place IS due 10 the fire in 1885 which burned the
majority Of the old buildings. Wealthy citizens have
replaced the ancient structure with new. comfortable
houses, which give little evidence Of the towns
tiquity.
Much TO the regret Of the numerous admirers Of
Ibsen, tie "siockmann's House, rket Pao whore
the poet born, was also destroyed by the flames.
The patrican dwelling where he passed his early boy
hood unfortunately met a similar fate.
At that time Ibsens family wealthy. His
great Qandmother, widow Of Henrik Ibsen the first,
had removed to S1en from Bergen in 1870, with her
SON. Henrik Ibsen the second The family patrcal.
Titles OF nobility, II will be remembered have been
abolished in democratic Norway. Those members Of
astocratlc families born before 1890 alone have per-
mission TO bear the original titles Of their families I'll
death. All other sons and daughters Of the various
noble houses remain undlstngished. In consoquens
Of this decree, there to-day hardly dozen counts
and barons on this side the borders Of Sweden.
For five years Ibsens father and mother kept "Opcn
house, in Skien. Their were the rystlng phcs
of the interesting people Of the town. and were filed
rule with guests. Those were the happiest days
in the youth OF the future poet Revcrcs Of fortune
Obliged the father TO sell the mansion and move 10 tho
Wenstaeb farm, about three miles from the town.
The small Onestored gray house surrounded By groa'
trees still stands and is the Mecca of many pilgrims
10 shen The change in their position was a bitter
blow to the Ibsens; the depth Of tho I'm
preston 1t made upon the poet Is APP
parent 10 all readers Of his works Aner
six years OF unsuccessful attempts to Initiate
the lives of peasants, the lbsens returned TO
the town and took up their abode In a small, modest
house. which still stands, although parts OF IL VIII
soon be in ruins. Young Ibsen remained in the house.
one year before his departure for the apothecays shop
in Grimstadt. 1t at this period OF his life mat 10
devoted his time TO the study Of art. The walls of
several In the bouse stu give evidences OF te
authors handlwork. In many places they are fH.d
with caricatures Of his brothers and sisters, remind
Ing one of the careers" in the universities OF Ger
many. Ibsen, il may be remarked developed con-
siderable talent painter several products OF DIS
brush were discovered few weeks ago In Chrstiana.
and aroused considerable interest in the literary and
artistic worlds. Competent critics declare that they
gave nroof OF creative genius IL is possible that tho
house whose walls bear the crude marks OF MS prusn
will be purchased by the authorizes or the town. ~
could be restored at comparatively small COST anu
might make "A fitting monument " the greatest BOZ
Of the town. IL A... 49,, scat
The members OF the Ibsen family have been SCAT G,
tered since tie poet left Sllen many years hso Vo
sister ONLY. the wife Of wealthy merchants HeII
Sousland still lives In the city OF her birth She -
the mother Of two sons, partners OF tlelr isod 80
IA hand some daughter now one or the Denes VI ~.
TOWN. As IS natural to expect FRAU stoIslsnu - uD
object of much curiosity since her Drouier Vgeme
famoIs But she bears il with patience lOohln4 wy
a. triIte 10 lbsen himself. Like ner OrOt4hi sS
is below the average height and l. slight IN hsuI@
truth and life. light up an expressive lniehs-ht 49,
Lines Indicative possibly OF the struggles ana depnss
lions OF her youth. mark her forehead bnt her oon
yersatiOn shows that later aiucnce and independently
have led her 70 forget earlier trials. FRAU etOuMu
1, "A clever aud speaks Character IN O.e
NJ her brothers works In fact she is said 10 he tho
original Of the Sgrd. sister Of the Duke eku!a N
" Pretender the Crown IN the tWO-sioilcd nOn,g
on the Tetemarhen street she passes coulpaidtNu'
uneventful lie Readers Of Brand where the pOo
novelist has portrayed his fellow-to"hspeopie' VII
remember the simple. unaffected ways OF me COM
muniiy The Goethe OF the North" as lbsen Is
sometimes called. IS true son OF shlon' whose su'inp
bns not been entirely removed by hOn0ra ana iiNVs
i'm foreign LANDS. The people are wen eou'' -.
sturdy Intelligent religious and dem0crauc' ING
conservative paper even bears the name NaVhho1
The citizens take comparatively little interest In the
affairs Of The outsde world. But they are all prond
of their greatest and welcome his return "
his native land