Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-02
DEAD CITY OF THE BALTIC.


vlsby In Gotland. which was Once . 70
nous Center Of Trade.
Its silent grass-Qrown streets and
the blackened ruins OF its once stately
churches suggest mOurnful retro
spect, says Temple Bar Yet the
Visby of today merits more atten-
tiOn than 1t obtains from visitors to
Sweden and the Baltic. Its once fab
ulous wealth has departed from it.
The nouse-wives no longer. as in the
old tradition, use golden spindles, nor
do the hogs eat from silver troughs;
while OF the eighteen churches of
which the town once boosted seven-
teen lie in irretrievable rum, wrecked,
it would seem. rather by the ruthless
ness of man than by the ravages Of
time.
Still Visby, even in ruins-we may
say, indeed, because of its ruins and
the associations that cling to them
Is full of interest Its early pros
Derity was largely due to the conven.
lent position OF Gotland in the Bal
tic, midway between the Swedish
routes by Genoa I'd Venice ana by
the Cape Of Good Hope were estab-
lished, most of the commerce with
the east passed through Russia, and
Visby, as q place Of call became 80
prominent as to gain the name
"Queen of the Baltic" or the Eye
Of the Baltic" Old .chroniclers as
sert that event Solomon in all his
glOrv was poorer in gold and silver
and precious stones than was this
small city.
Visby was one of the first to be en-
rolled among the Hanse town and
took leading part in the famous
league. Its maritime code has served
as model for most of the European
navigation laws From the first the
Eye" Of the Baltic was mainly d.
rected to business. Its prosperity re-
ceived royal recognition when Henry
III. allowed the merchants Of Cot
land the privilege of tree trade as re-
garded purchase and traffic in En-
gland. The enterprise VI the traders
enabled them to receive Q double
profit
They betook themselves with other
representatives of the league to Lon.
don ana established, close to Thames
Street, a house called the Steelyard,
which flOurished for upward of three
centuries Meanwhile the population
increased rapidly in Visby, and the
variety Of religions called for the
erection of numerous churches and
religious buildings Charitable guilds
and hospitals were also established.
The monks, after their wont, helped
to beautify the town by planting
walnut, chestnut lime, and mulberry
trees, some Of which still thrive.
But the chief charm of Visby lies in
its gray walls, which. as a specimen
OF ancient fertilization, are almost
unique.
Gotland, in the old days, was pros
porous and important center: but lit
tie remains of its former greatness
The sole existing trace of former in
dependence is standing army, which
belongs exclusively to the island, and
can only be employed in its defense
Every Gotlander, from the age of Is
to that OF SO or 60, may be called
upon to serve. The active services
of The army are unlikely to be called
upon. Yet Of so much Importance is
the island from its geographical posi-.
tion and natural defenses, that
strategic point of view from it might
readily be made paddock from the
Cults of Finland and Bothnia. 1t
has even been declared that by means
of Gotland the Russian navy could
be locked up and the navigation of
the Baltic commanded.