New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-24

fighting by apd by land. III InlgHO ha'o w"
imagined that when the vikings, who mad mace
conquests abroad, began to settle down on their
CONQUERED lands. 50 turbulent a folk were " lcav-
ing their country for their coun,ry's good Bat
those who remained in Norway the same type
ard appear TO have found just as much cause lot
fighting at home as they could have done beyond
the seas Indeed as Mr. Kcary observes, 1t was
probably fortunate for the world that the Scan
dinavians lacked cohesive power and extended
views for when they had carried CONSERVATION
through Christendom and enforced their authority
everywhere had they pursued the craftsmanship 10
hold together and bind all their scattered colonies
into Northern League, they might have SET oacH
European civilization and perhaps even Chrlsu-
anity FIR long time.
However, they were not sufficiently advanced 1or
this. They infltrated many races with their own
qualities They set their mark ineradlcaoy deep
upon England and France particularly Ana
then their national energy seems to have become
exhausted at least for time. The heroic pcrlod
drew to a close, and the race OF heroes ala hu
renew itself "a Of yorc. The foreign colonies DC
tached themselves from the mother country. ana
became acclimated in their new quarters Inc
mother country ceased from ravaging and conquer
ing abroad and turned TO the treatment OF intestine
commissions which afforded full employment Tor all
her remaining pugnacity. Christianity came WIN
King Olaf, hut at first in half-heartcd way
The progress Of the nation was slow ana dlihcuit
for to the inherent faults OF barbarlsm were
added the obstacles arising from poverty In ma
terial resources Fishing, agriculture and tim
bor-cnttirr were and still remain, the three main
industries of Norway So there was little room
for expansion, and no variety of industries could
he secured because of the peculiar character of
the country
Nor could Norway in itself ever acquire politi-
cal importance in relation TO Europe so long
rs the Viking Age lasted It's people were of very
real and widespread consequence: but when
Europcan powers began to build fleets for them
selves the doom of the vikings was sealed and
il was only question Of time for them TO pass
away. Indeed they could not have lasted so long
as they did but for the looscness OF the ties that
bound Kingdoms and communities together IN
those DAYS Almost everywhere they went they
could find allies in factions Of the country they
were attacking. Nobody thus cared much about
nationality What is now understood by patriot
ism was unknown The mobiles were commonly
soldiers of fortune, who fought, each for his own
hand and the commoraty was so abused and OPP
pressed that prospect Of a change OF masters
could not alarm them greatly. So often for Ic-
vcnge or for the hope Of plumber, the NorSemcn
found themselves helped by citizens OF TIE coul-
try they were attacking. and of course 1t made
no difference TO them so long as they gained their
ends
When thr viking period ended, and Norway
sank into comparative quiet again, the normal
tendency toward union of all the Scandinavian
countries naturally reasscrted itself, and became
factor in the wars ard difficulties which en-
sued Mr. Kcary passes lightly over the modern
period of Norway. gives clear If brief account
of the present constitution political system, ana
social condition of the country, writes an inter
esting chapter on the existing state Of Norwegian
literature. and concludes with chapter on ne
wild flowers OF Norway. His views Of lpscn nfe
cautious and he does not believe that the plays
of the lattcr will long hold the stage. while hc
does not admit that lbscnS pcsslmlsm at all
faithfully represents the national character The
book is written cAcclientlY IN all It's parts, ana
il is difficult 70 imagine a piece Of work better
adapted 10 It's ends from beginning 10 end. II
is provided with maps and various useful tables.
genoa ogical and statistical.