New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-13
THE SWEDISH CAPITAL.
THE KINGS NORWEGIAN SUB
JECTS-THE EXPOSITION.
Stockholm, August 10

Stockholm. August 10
A wise traveller who had seen many Euro
moan capitals shook his head hopelessly when
he was asked to tell what Stockholm was like.
~ need new language" he said with fresh
.,ock of suptratives." The ordinary words
.uch as quaint. picturesque. stately and brilliant
which are used in connection with other capt.
tale seem to lose their significance when applied
y stockholm. Language fails because the city
has an unrvalled situation for panoramic effects.
'puit upon islands and the shores OF fjords. II is
. Northern Venice, with a characteristic back
Ground Of luxuriant hem,ock and pine forest to
match the restful beauty Of lagoon and sea. 1t
&c city where the sense Of perspective Is true
snd artistic. There are broad water spaces and
,jch expanses of woodland foliage for every out
look. Palaces. church towers bridges and gray
lines OF street architecture have a harmonious
setting of blue waters and green forest. Other
CAPITALS may have nobler historical associations.
s,atelicr palaces. grander churches and gayer
street scenes, but Stockholm is unique In the
nerfect beauty Of It's environment. For city
10 have more picturesque situation. there must
bs new heavens and a new earth.
cbristiania has been highly favored by Nature
Int vantonly neglected by man. st. Peters
burg has been built on low-lyng salt marsh
IN defiance of Nature and has been adorned and
dlgnfed by splendid architecture. In Stockholm
Nature and human intelligence have gone hand
IN hand from the beginning One island after
another has been occupied and the adjacent
margins OF shore have been transferred into
nopulous quarters. but the natural beauty and
sylvan charm Of the spacious amphtheatre OF
wooded bluffs and sheltered lagoons have been
retained.
The royal palace with Its massive correct
ness vast proportions and mechanical renais-
sance style. would be dull and heavy pile of
masonry II any other capital: but occupying
aere a commanding position. with ample water
and air spaces around 1t and With beautiful
wooded islands behind It, the lack or warmth
and llghtness Of decorative effect In the archi-
lecture pass unnoticed. 1t has picturesque
dignity when viewed from a distance across
wide expanse OF water. and is we'll adjusted TO
its environment The principal water fronts are
hanked with long lines Of massive structures
like the National Museum and the solid granite
ouays are bordered with broad streets. The old
time deer-park Of the royal house, an island OF
ample circuit and singular beauty. has been con-
verted into a lovely pleasure ground and
splendid site for the Stockholm Exposition with
Its fantastic group Of buildings: and wherever
may be in the city, this woodland tract.
with its high towers and gaudy Oriental archi
lecture, drifts into the background and is re-
nected on the face Of the waters.
There are broad bridges. handsome squares.
fine statuary. charming public gardens, and not
a little architecture OF marked originality and
distinction Of style. Stockholm is city worthy
Of its unrivalled situation. The architects have
understood. at least in recent years, that their
work would be seen from distance. and they
have planned castellated structures and facades
with breadth Of style and variety Of treatment.
The church spires. especially those Of the cathe-
dral and Riddarholm mausoleum, have no ar
t!stic merits; but the architecture OF the town
the whole Is Of a superior order. and sui.
fciently bold and varied to supply panoramic
effects. The city is also pulsating with life and
gayety of spirits. The lagoons astir with
the ceaseless movement OF steam launches,
ferryboats and excursion craft; and the streets
are filled with carriages and busting throngs.
and fairly afiame with local color. since the
Swedish peasants in visiting the capital bring
with them their village costumes. Stockholm as
have seen it. with the adventurous aid OF the
Exposition. is brilliant capital. with char
acteristic life and color OF its own. There are
sihouettes of beauty for the eye wherever there
IS an outlook over the waters, and there Is music
in the air wherever there is cafe or beer
garden. 1t is q city where the tourist is fas-
cinated with the life and movement OF the
populace and where he must needs wonder
why so dull and lifeless place as Chrstana
should be called a capital.
NATIONAL RIVALRIES AND JEALOUSIES.
This notable contrast between the two capl-
tails naturally inspires a feeling OF unrest and
discomfort in Norway. Stockholm Is the real
centre Of the dual kingdom. and Chrstana Is
neglected capital. without court functions or
social prestige Stockholm has its stately burial
place Of royalty in Riddarholm Church. with
the chapels OF Gustavus Adolphus, Charles XII
and Bernadotte and all the trophies OF their
victories; and Il has a splendid palace. with
scores OF sumptuously furnished rooms. where
the royal family live and amuse themselves and
where great court functions held Norway.
whose history until the close Of the Nspoleonic
wars was linked with that OF Denmark has no
share in the glorious traditions OF the Swedish
Kings. and its loyalty TO the reigning house
lacks heartiness and sincerity. There Is huge
barrack OF a palace In Chrlstlania. where either
the King or the Crown Prince spends few
weeks every year. but such court functions as
there are fail 20 stimulate loyalty or 20 appeal
20 popular Imagination IL Is a legislative capt
IA! without a court. The laurels and prestige
Of stately Stockholm do not suffer II 70 sleep.
The posltion Of Norway under the union is en-
tlrely honorable. and Involves no sacrifice OF
,elf.respect II has complete legislative autono'
my and is essentially sef-gOvern!ng. The imam
eisl arrangements for the support Of the Grown
are nof burdensome. and there IL little IN th'
enforced connection Of the Two Kingdoms that II
calling 10 Norwegian pride. Norway not oniy
enjoys full measure Of home rule and absolute
supremacy OF its own legal tribunals, but 1t ha'
slso It's own responsible Ministers and tsrin sys
TEN. Il 10 not degraded to the level Of con
quered Kingdom IN any sense and, indeed. II
vas never subJugated. but simply handed ovci
by the King ~ Denmark 70 Sweden In 1914 By