The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-25
SWEDEN AND THE-SWEDES.
Hon, w. w. Thomas's Lecture at City Hall
Last Evening.

City Hall held fine audience last
evening, attracted thither by the fact
that Hon. william W. Thomas, Jr., late
minister to Sweden and Norway. and
Portland boy, was to lecture on sweden
and the Swedes."
Mr. Thomas's appearance on the plat
form was greeted with loud applause.
He was accompanied by Mayor Baxter
who most gracefully introduced Mr..
Thomas as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen-I have been
honored with the duty of introducing
many distinguished persons to Portlanc
audiences. but never have l assumed
that duty with greater pleasure than on
the present occasion, for nave NOT only
to introduce to you one who has dls1ln-
guished himself by the display OF emf
nent bilities, but by great services rem
dered to his native state and native
country. The name of the founder OF
New Sweden will not fl de from the an
nails of Maine, nor OF the autnor OF
Sweden and the Swedes from the roll OF
historic authorship. Then, again,
have to introduce to you one born anc
bred in our dear old town, as indeed,
his ancestors were. and who, ike you
and /. loves the waters which laves
its shores; may l not say OF the very
stones in it's streets, hallowed by the
footmarks of our ancestors.
And, strangely enough, as though
some fairy had changed him IN his
cradle, were he in Sweden, tonight, IN
stead of POI tland, he might be regarded
as of lineal descent from those brave old
Vikings, whose homes were among tne
fords of Norseland.
shall not name him. VINO KNOWS
him not argues himself unknown" but
shall introduce him to you IS the found
er New Sweden; the author OF Sweden
and the Swedes; a genuine lNorseman OF
Portland extraction.
Mr.. Th omas then proceeded with his
lecture, and was frequently interrupted
by bursts of applause. He possesses a
fine stage presence, full, flexible voice
and at times his impassioned oratory
aroused his hearers to great enthusiasm.
He described most graphically the geo
graphical characteristics of Norway and
Sweden, whose size is equal to that of
the New England States four times over,
the most northerly kingdom in Europe.
He gave a most poetical description of
the long winter nights and long summer
days of that northla land; of the products
of the country two of which, lumbe and
iron, surpass in abundance and quality
those of any nation In the world. He
gave an amusing account OF the bread
| making, the post roads and post riding
of Sweden, and the soiidifed sour milk
| that forms the staple dish of the peas
ants, more generally known here as
bonny-clabber. His historical sketch OF
Gustavus Adolphus and his achieve
ments in connection with the story OF
how he (Mr. Tbomas) hoisted the Amer
| lean flag over the legation, was particu.
| larIy impressive. The description of a
| Swedish Christmas was intensely inter
esting, and in conclusion, he paid g
glowing tribute to Ericsson. the invent
or, by whose genius the American navy
and ssaports were saved from the Con
| federates through the Monitor, when il
| disabled the MerIimac.
| Mr. Thomas gave many instances OF thu
courage, devotion and education of tn,
| Swedes, but said the great trait OF al
| wAs their kindness. The lecture will
long be remem bsred as one Of the mos
delightful Portland audience has evel
| 1;.tonad To