Evening star., 1909-05-23

legislative officers for municipal officers
and generally on all that concerns civic
reform. The women have set to work
very earnestly to understand their civic
obligations and to perform that highest
duty in manner which will result for
good to themselves and to their home
surroundings. An impetus has been given
to many projects which look to improv-
ing conditions. especially in the rural
districts, and l think l may say that In
Norway, at least, women have proved
that to possess the ballot is to add TO
their usefulness in the community.
IT have been asked how much the in
f1uence of Ibsen has brought about the
result of comforting suffrage on women.
and / may reply that it was powerful
factor. The writings of Ibsen not only
worked an entire reformation in the ham
ding of the drama from the modern
standpoint. but they revealed the folly of
holding women in the irresponsible posi-
ton assigned by the usage of the CEN
tures The Dolls House worked a ref
ormation in Norway as well as all over
the world. Ibsen. / find. has a tre-
mendous vogue in this country, and
many American women / have met are
profoundly impressed by his philosophy.
Norwegians are immensely proud of him,
but we have many illustrious men of let
ters not SO well known on this side of
the water, and who, l think, deserve to
be more widely understood-such as
Bjornsen, Lie, kielland and others. But
it is easy to comprehend the attraction
of Ibsen, since it touches SO many vital
points of national development along
modern lines especially where women
feel the unrest which comes from un-
gratified ambition in becoming factors in
their community.
Life in Norway is along such lines
that in the complex conditions which pre-
vail everywhere else it is difficult to con-
vey an adequate impression. The Nor
wegian peasant is and always has been
a proud. self-sustaining man. Serfdom
has been unknown for centuries and titles
of nobility were abolished in 1921. The
people. mostly aSriculturists and fisher
men, enjoy degree of liberty utterly un-
known even in republican countries, and
each farmer reigns as king in his little
domain.
"Industrial conditions are at present
receiving an impetus by utilizing the nu-
merous waterfalls. and before long the
Norseland will compete with its sister
nations in the industrial and commercial
rivalry.
"On the sea the Norseman has long
st tood as a hero, and his exploits go back
into the twilight of mythology. The peo-
pie lead simple, uneventful lives. work
ing hard at their labors and enjoying
their sports and holidays with degree
of enthusiasm that is inspiring. The
made known TO the world through the
spirited accounts of noted travellers and
through various novels dealing with
Scandinavian life. But our summer life.
which is just as delightful. Is less IA
mililr to the outside world. The brief
summer so much appreciated in the
northern countries is spent almost en-
tirely in the open. We have summer
home called Villa Solvkroner which
means silver crown, about "a three-hour
I'll tl,a too
and every vacation we hasten there. We
delight in the garden and take special
pride in our trees and flowers and the
social intercourse which adds so much to
semi-rural communities.
]. '"rhe games are practically the same
as are enjoyed here, except golf. which
is impossible. owing TO the hilly surface
of the Norwegian country. We play ten
mis- and croquet and sort of base ball.
A delightful feature of our summer is
the celebration of ST. Johns day June
"A. 1t is attended by merrymaking and
many picturesque national features. While
no doubt in the beginning it was a re-
liSious feast it has lost that significance
and now 1t is fete which marks the
opening of summer, the long days of ease
and sunshine and enjoyment after the
SHOWS and hardships of the winter. The
fires the mountain are the most dis
tinctlve feature. Great flames leap up in
the clear air every mountain peak
until the whole sky is illumined. In the
cities and the country around them fire.
works and games also mark the day
and feasts and good things are spread in
every home"
Nine. Guide has proved one Of the most
adaptable of foreign hostesses. though
she has been in this country only a year
The Norwegian minister and his wife
sailed Ma. 90 and will go first to Dem
mark 10 visit the mother of Nine. GUIDE
This distinguished lady lives in fine
old resid6Ece in Copenhag gen, where the
marriage of her daughter. Mile Elna de
Stiernholm, and NJ. Owe GUIDE took place
five years ago. 1t was in this mansion
that Gen. de Stiernholm lived during his
long term as military governor of the
royal princes d Denmark. During this
time fc trained the present King of Dem
marx, then crown prince; the King of
Greece an, the young grandson of old
king Christian. now the King of Nor
way, iesides a long list of lesser celebri-
ties cllied tn the royal house Of Den
r3lk which rules In 50 many different
countries. The intercourse between the
roylI family and tlfil beloved military