The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-12
A VISIT TO NANSEN.
The Arctic Explorer Is Coming 10
America.
The Hero OF His Countrymen at His
Scientific Studies.

DIR. Fridtjof Nansen, the arctic explorer
has decided TO visit America the coming
fall on "a lecturing tour. He already has
closed arrangements with Boston firm
for this purpose. The explorer just now Is
at work on book which gives tho story
Of his three years experience In the arctic
regions. The World correspondent went to
DIR. Nansen's home in Norway. There he
found society at the height OF its winter
pastimes, with sleighing, skating, coasting
and "skilobning," which in Canada and
In the wintry parts Of the United States Is
plain snowshoeing, only in Norway they
use long runners instead Of tho woven
snowshoes, of which the American Ind.
ans were the inventors The Norwegian
loves out of door sports, and none more 50
than DIR. Nnnsen, who is an expert with
the ski and has taken many prizes at
contests in which he has taken part.
BY special appointment took the ABA
train on winters afternoon recently &c
Lysaker The six hours daylight that ma.
ture grants Co Christiania in the winter
had waned for nearly two hours when
drove To the station in IA low sleigh with
the driver standing on little ledge be
hind me- i say the station, but this and
the railroad are on so small a scale that
they are scarcely 10 be dignifled by such
names They might easily be overlooked
by stranger The gauge of the railroad
Is only three feet, and the first impression
Is that the cars are made not 20 ride in,
but to be taken under ones arm and car.
ried away. But one is fairly safe to trust
$50 pounds ayoirdupois TO the frail cars,
as the train takes 30 minutes 10 cover the
four miles which separate Christiania from
Lysaker. The express to Drammen attains
maximum speed of ten miles an hour
DIR. Nansens place is n typical wooden
Norwegian home, standing in its own
grounds amid the solemn frs. A CLINT OF
light from the windows and the barking
OF dogs showed us where the house was,
and in moment we were standing in the
front hall taking off our coats and admir-
ing the originality displayed in the sur
roundings. Nansen's home is like himself
striking, original and unconventional.
There is nothing of the modern house
about "Godthaab. Everywhere one sees
originality, cultivated and refined taste.
Everything Is thoroughly Norwegian.
Walls, floors and ceilings are all natural
woods A grand piano occupies the place
of honor in the drawing room and is the
boon companion Of Mrs. Nansen, Norway s
sweet singer. An alcove leading TO the
study is occupied by a monumental sofa
like n throne It is carved in weird and
fantastic devices. In n corner over "A desk
is Lessing's bust Of Nnnsen, and nearby a
great, wide window-such a favorite In
Norwegian homos--affords an extensive
view of the ford. The explorer received
me graciously. In build he is an athlete.
As an example of Nansens herculean
strength let me mention an episode which
as yet has not been published. When the
Fran stopped at Tromso on her return
voyage, the mayor and magnates of this
little town near the arctic regions organ
lied a banquet TO celebrate Nansen's re.
turn. At the close speeches were in order,
which were delivered from little platform
one step high. After various toasts had
been responded TO Nansen mounted the
platform and said that he wished to pro.
pose the health of Sycrdrup, the captain of
the Fran, who was sitting close by. Some
of the guests could not see Sverdrup, and
SO Nansen said: "This is Sverdrup.
This is the man whose health / propose. "
Suiting the action TO the word, Nansen
lifted the captain bodily with his left hand,
while he waved his glass aloit with the
other. Nansen has denied himself recently
TO all outdoor sports and is devoting him.
self 10 the completion of his book. Sitting
nonchalantly on the edge of chair and
lighting Il cigarette. he spoke With enthu:
siasm of his coming visit TO the United
States.
"I hope that Mrs. Nansen will accom-.
pany you" ] said,
Here she Is Let her speak for herself
Then / had the honor of an introduction
to Mrs. Manson, who already was known
TO me by reputation and fame as the
daughter OF Professor Cars of the Univcr.
sity Of Christinnia and tho sweetest and
most beloved singer of Norway Her mu-
sical attainments are OF the very highest
order. She will accompany her husband.
Cor. New York World.