The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-01-13

LONDON, Jan. l, IS94.-There is
much about Norwegian scenery,
scenes and incidents worth relating
discursively, which is likely to prove
helpful to succeeding travellers, in
their experiences, or entertaining to
readers who can only travel in this
stern aud mighty land of the North
by the not unpleasant journeyings of
fancy with kindly tempered writer's
for their willing guides.
There are no roadside shrines, save
of natures exclusive handiwork, in
all Norway. Indeed one travelling
along the grand stone roadways al
most feels longing for those mute
connecting links of human and spir-
itual interest. Groups of peasants
kneeling before cross, or effigy or be-
side 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 enigmatie
| figures. Not even an antiquarian
sentiment can be conjured by these.
Their significance is very great how
ever to the landed proprietors, for
they relate with nice exactitude the
number of metres each is compelled
to keep in perfect repair in summer
and wholly clear of drift snow and
other distractions in winter All
law is enforced with absolute impair
TALLY in Norway, and that, is why
the country has the finest roads in
the world and has also been trans
formed, in scarcely more than a gen
Grafton of time, from a nation OF
l-drinkers and almost sodden drunk
ards, with all accompanying evils, to
land of sobriety, cleanliness, am
plitude and content
Jordbaert or strawberries almost
constitute a national dish in Norway.
Indeed | have often thought that
these matchless berries,
A the sweeter they are Vice.
are proyidential compensation and
provision to the folk of the high lat.
itudes. / have found them in my
wanderings growing wild in greatest
luxuriance in high ATTITUDES, in Nor
way, the Highlands of Scotland and
the Shetland and Orkney Islands
even in dreary Labrador, and in
Manitoba where, in the early days, !
saw miles of the then trackless prai-
ries crimson in hue from the ripen-
ing fruit. They are so universal and
plentiful in their wild state that
there is no necessity for their cult
walton. The markets of Bergen, STAY
anger and Throndhjem are fairly cd
orous with this delicious fruit. At
every station, at every home and in
every hotel in Norway they are secu
rable morning, noon and night, and
at all places rich cream is served
with them. Wherever travellers NAV
go, upon busy or unfrequented high
ways, or even along lone mountain
paths, they are everywhere for the
picking; and if one is too lazy to help
himself to natures largess, blue eyed,
flaxen-haired children are every where
at hand with tempting baskets which
are yours for the most trihing return
in coin you are willing to bestow.
Indeed so universal is this custom
of straw berry giving and selling that
a perfect typification of Norwegian
childhood in summer would be form
ed, in painting Or sculpture, by the
figure of ragged, smiling faced
yellow headed urchin standing at the
roadside with upheld basket of lord
haert in tiny, horny hand, and hope
ful, expectant look in kindly eyes OF
blue.
The tiny Norwegian graveyards
beside the mountain churches will
have a peculiar interest to every
traveller in out Of the way districts.
They have certain primness, desc
lation and yet wild and uncouth
seeming of natures kindly prodigal-
ity of every living thing in green
about them that give them a strange
and Impressive character. The
churches themselves are curious lit.
tie boxes, and possess a peculiar all
of austerity and solemnity, as il
built with the sole purpose of con.
trasting the infantile effort of mar
with the majestic evidences of the
Creators power everywhere sur,
rounding them. The churchyard
which is also the graveyard, usually
surrounds the entire church, and is
often filed or richly bordered with
mournful frs and evergreens. The
numberless high, rounded and pref.
tily sodded mounds can scarcely bs
seen for the wild maze Of evergreens
plants and flowers. Beside nearly all
the graves, or family burial PLOTS
popularity have not noticed in any
other country-are benches or rustic
wooden settles, to Vhich the mourn
ers come and muse among the mem
cries Of the loved ones at rest he.
meath. There are few headstones
Instead there are crosses of blackep
ed wood, intensifying the solemn
suggestiyeness of the place The
Morse are not given. to ELUSIVE in.
| scriptiOus. and the transverse heam