The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-21

1 land itself resembles a massive hat float | ing upon the sea and it's name signines
 Market Hat The tunnel Is nearly 600 feet | long and varies from 36 to 50 feet Ill width. At one entrance the arch arises some 60 feet and at the other 1t lowers 24s feet, while the walls, almost perpen- dicular, bear every semblance of having been artifeially chise1led. It is natural l formation, however and wonderfully startling is the prospect seen through the l shadowy spectral stretches. 8
 When I crossed the Arctic circle l ex- ! perienced a sentiment of satisfaction, Tor in the crossing had eoursed the old earth from many degrees below the equator to the frigid zone. Passengers making their first transit over the equator are usually surprised by being. treated to- 9 dose of salt in their drinking water and in their initial traversing of the Arctic circle are startled by the firing of cannon from the deck of the ship.
 Most singular is the perverseness or nature When l crossed the equator the wind was howling through the rigging of the vessel Jas winter blast through a frigid forest and was wearing an over coat bit as I floated over the northern circle the weather was extremely mild and thousands of gulls were sporting upon the placid sheen of the water as mild as summer sea.
 The crowning glory of mytrip was. the vision of the midnight sun as viewed from the North cape. dark gray slated rock. rising abruptly from the sea and furrowed with innumerables deep clefts was now at what is considered the northernmost point of Europe.
 The path leading to the top or the cliff is exceedingly steep and Is covered with green moss, swamps and stones. It is hanked by ropes fastened to iron stanch- ions and the exhausting mount consumes an entire hour. But it pays immeasure- ably if the weather proves to be. clear. The fogs at the apex are sometimes so dense that visitors have to use d sta tionary wire to guide them through the thick vapory depths.
 Of course I partook of the conventional bottle of wine while seated in the pavil- lion watching the great glim of heaven that is never doused
 At midnight the blazing orb approached the horizon to about the distance of five diameters and like a burning apparition moved slowly sidewise along line where the immeasureable ocean seemed to come in contact with the sky. And oh, what sensation there came to me The unend- ing. cares and weary vacations of anxious mortals were recalled as only in dream: the multiform fashonings and incessant energies of animated nature passed into momentary oblivion. and here for the first time the earth became physically conscious to me as a part of the solar system. for I contemplated 1t only in it's clements. I was as a spirit lowering above and beyond the universe and the curtain seemed to have been rung down upon the drama of life. The eternal play was finished
 Some description of the cities and larg- CT towns of these high attitudes may command passing interest.
 Hammerfest the most northerly town, has a population of less than 2500 souls and is entirely lumber built. It basks in perpetual sunlight from May 13 to the last of July, and rests in slumbers in darkness from November IS to January 23 but this gloom is partially relieved by the installing of an electric light system. Like all Scandinavian towns it has suf- fered from great and frequent conhagra- tions The streets are wide and gas a precaution against fire are intersected at right angles by wide open spaces called "Ahmennige." HrHs
 The town possesses numerous boileries for the preparation of cod liver oil and Is permeated with an eternal, ancient and fish-lke smell; it even sur2asses Brughes In this respect. It carries on busy trade with Russia and Spitzbergen.
 Hammerfest possesses two pecuiarites- countless number of light houses that are out of commission in summer time and large herds of reindeer which graze here in that season and whose peculiar grunting may be heard for miles away.
 Trondhjem is the most northerly Eu- ropean city and has population of 35,- 900 souls. The people are wealthy and hospitabie and tie city IS considered the strength and heart of the country, the cradle of the kingdom and 1t is to Nor way what Upsal Is to Sweden, the site of the election and browning of its ancient kings St Olaf built a church and pal ace here in 996 and after his death. when he became known as the Saint Of the battle of Stil<elstad' his cult made the city the wealthiest in the kingdom and gave rise to the erection of a cath edral, 14 churches and five monasteries. His reiquary was removed by sacrelig ious hands and his remains were stolen and buried in some unknown spot
 A charming custom of decorating graves with flowers every Saturday obtains here and tombs that have been tenated for 10 centuries are still thus adorned
 Like Amsterdam most of the ware houses are built upon piles, many of the churches are constructed of saponite. bluish Norwegian stone. and Actresses ....................... .............s.s......ss..