Morning journal and courier., 1893-12-16
wAKEMAN,s WANDERrNGS.

Peeps at Norway-Norway as Seen by
 the Poet Traveler-Fascinati Dis-
 cursive Talks About its Goodiy
 Folk and Magnificent Scenery
 Quaint Churchyards and Curious
 CustOms-SOme WondrOus Nature
 SpectacIes Described-The Romsdal
 and the Naerodal-Waterf Gyven-
 ty Times Higher Than Niagara
 Scenes of Grandeur and SublImity.
 LONDON, Nov. 30. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 There is much about Norwegian scenery, scenes and incidents worth relating dis cursively, which Is likely to prove helpful to succeeding travellers, In their experi- ences, or entertaining to readers who can only travel in this stern and mighty land of the north by the not unpleasant jour neyings of fancy with kindly tempered writers for their willing guides.
 There are no roadside shrines, save of nature's exclusive hsndiwork, in all Nor way. Indeed one travelling along the grand stone roadways almost feels long ing for those mute connecting links of hu- man and spiritual interest. Groups of peasants kneeling before cross, or effgy or beside consecrated fountain, are here never seen. The only objects by the wayside to possibly pique curiosity or interest are upright stone posts on which are cut or painted enigmatic figures. Not even an antiquarian sentiment can be copjured by these. Their significance Is very great however to the landed proprietors, for they relate with nice exactitude the num- Der of metres esch is compelled to keep in perfect repair in summer and wholly clear of drift snow and other Instructions in winter. All law is enforced with absolute impartiality in Norway, and that is why | the country has the finest roads in the | world and has also been transformed, ir scarcely more than a generation of time | from 8 nation of drinkers and almost sod | den drunkards, with all accompanying evils, to a land of sobriety, cleanliness amplitude and content.
 Jordbaert or strawberries almost consti tute national dish in Norway. Indeed have often thought that these matchlesl berries,
 "A' the sweeter they are wee.'
 are & providential compensation and provi sion to the folk of the high attitudes. have found them in my wsnderings grow ing wild in greatest luxuriance in high lat itudes, in Norway, the highlands of Scot
 land and the Shetland and Orkney Islands
 even in dreary Labrador, and in Manitob
 where. in the early days, saw miles o
 the then trackless prairies crimson in bu
 from the ripening fruit. They are 80 uni
 verssl and plentiful in their wild stat | that there is no necessity for their cult 1 vation. The markets of Bergen, StAvau
 ger and Throndbjem are fairly odorou
 with this delicious fruit. At every sts
 tion. at every homo and in every hots
 in Norway they are securable morning noon and night, and at all places ric
 cream is served with them. Whereve travellers may go, upon busy or unfrt quented highways, or even along lon P mountain paths. they are everywhere fo ! the picking; and if one is too lazy {
 help himself to nature's largess, blu, l ! eyed, haxen paired children are ever, 7 | where at hand with tempting basket 3 | which are yours for the most triflng r turn in coin you are willing to bsstov Indeed so universal IS this custom 3 strawberry giving and selling that 8 pc l feet application of Norwegian childhoc . in summer would be formed, in paintir 9 or sculpture, by the figure of rsgge, k smiling faced, yellow-headed urchin stan, 8 ing at the roadside with upheld bask : of jordbsert in tiny, horny hand, ar
 hopeful, expectant look in kindly eyes | blue.
 The tiny Norwegian grave yards besit | the mountain churches will have @ pee g liar interest to every traveller In out l the way districts. They have a certa 6 primness, desolstion and yet wild ar n uncouth seeming of natures kindly pro }. igslity of every living thing in green abo > that give them a strange and impressi V character. The churches themselves 6 'e curious little boxes, and possess peculi Is air of susterity and solsmnity. ss if bu al with the sole purpose of contracting t n infantile effort of man with the msjss