New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-13

ana artihcial, cannot be prevailed upon to ac-
cord the privilege OF autonomy in foreign affairs
Norway is, moreover, democratic country with
natural bent toward republican institutions.
1t hSSISo sympathetic feeling for royalty and
fails to perceive any marked advantage which it
derives either from monarchical rule or from
the connection with Sweden. Its aspirations set
strongly in the direction Of a distinct national
| life
King Oscar III has handsome palace and a
picturesque capital but with Norway in a state
OF unrest and inclined to secede from the union
he is not 10 be envied among European sOver-
cigns He is an amiable and discreet ruler. and
has not been wholly unsuccessful in conciliating
his Norwegian subjects. He has ardent love
of the sea, and is an enthusiastic yachtsman;
and they cannot help liking him when he meets
them on their own ground. He has refinement
Of taste and good mind, and takes a deep in
terest in Norwegian literature: and this is a sub
tie method of hattering national vanity His
eldest is also agreeable and affable. and the
Crown Princess is an artist who appreciates the
beauties of the fjords OF Norway The royal
family does its best TO win the affections of the
Norwegians, but it Is at best an alien race and
represents national traditions with which they
are not in touch.
LOCAL COLOR AT THE EXPOSITION.
The Stockholm Exposition Of Scandinavian
art and industries has done much to create an
era Of good feeling in the North. Sweden, Nor
way and Denmark have met on common ground.
and have strengthened the natural bonds OF
race by friendly competition. In the main build
Ing tn. art gallery, the machinery. electricity,
fisheries and other structures the three king
! doms are represented on terms Of equality. The
| Norwegian fisheries exhibit Is especially good,
in he art
gallery Is the work Of a Norwegian artist. who
has illustrated the mission Of Christ the car
penter by reproducing faces and impressions
from the fishing villages OF his own country
The exposition does not rival in any sense the
Worlds Fairs of Paris and Chicago. but it is
highly creditable 10 the three nations which have
organized il on distinctivey Scandinavian lines.
The site was an ideal one for the purpose-a
lovely island within short distance Of the
centre Of the city, Two public buildings were
already within the range Of the exhibition, and
an excellent geological garden was on higher
ground The additional structures were de-
signed mainly for panoramic effect. and the
island itself rich in forest verdure provided
scenic setting which could not have been I'M
proved.
The exposition buildings form fantastic
group TO which distance lends a TRANSPORTING
effect. The central structure may be roughly
| described as huge pickle-botte SUSPENDED
from the framework OF gas retort. IL would
| be intolerable under other conditions. but when
deserted across the broad ford. with It's en-
vronment OF picturesque buildings and pacK-
ground OF pine forest. It seems to be the right
thing in the right place. The exposition IS
tumble OF various types OF architecture. brought
together apparently without other motive IMAM
| that Of making a curious. striking picture. Inc
colors are well harmonized, and sky. water ana
forest combine 10 soften the lines and TO sup
| ply the requisite conditions OF perspective
When examined IN detail. the exposition buiid-
| ,nes seem ike the work of a capricious child
| artist with colored blocks and sticks OF candy
Viewed afar in the half-llghts OF a misty morn
| ing It Is a mirage from fairyland with medieval
castles. renaissance spires and enchanted pal
| ace. and a. mysterious temple modelled after
| a pepper-caster and a dolls clothes-horse. 1t
10 a n,cture which Alice In Wonderland might
have seen when dreaming IN the shadiest corner
Of the woods.
| The consp,cuous figures to be seen at tho fair
esnecially on Sunday. are not enchanted prin-
cesses but Swedish peasants In fantastic cos
Tunes They wear petticoats OF black, blue or
scarlet white chcmisettes and black velvet
bodices ornamented with silver braid. The cos
| tune is completed by fantastic cap varied IN
shana and color The little girls are dressed IKE
| the women. and occasionally man Is 10 be
| seen In black velveteen knlckeroockers ana
Jacket, scarlet waistcoat and soft felt nat Win
| coIored ribbons dangling. The exposition mas
| drawn into Stockholm thousands or peasants
| from the backwoods. who have never before seen
q great capital With stout dumpy hgures'
sinewy arms and coarse features without rehne-
ment OF beauty, they tricked out. not IN their
ordinary working suits. but in their sho"lest
holiday clothes and they seem aoashed by the
consciousness OF their own spiendor' IL 10 d
striking touch OF local color which would be
coarse and grotesque without the fahtas"c
huudinrs OF the exposition. AS II is, the peas
ants. with their tawdry costumes. are In touch
with the environment just as the strange group
., industrial palaces and castles Is adjusted
70 the spacious lagoons and the restfui forest
| glades.