The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-27

most glorious vision of the midnight orb The fact is that nine times out of every ten one fails to catch a glimpse of the sun at midnight. External clouds pre- elude the view. I never knew it to storm more fiercely than when I was upon that Cape The .ain fell in torrents and the wind blew so fiercely that I feared some of the ladies in the party would be blown from the cliff. The marvel to me was that the pavilion was not swept away pinioned as it was to the rock by iron rods or that any glass was left intact in the structure.
 It was weird scene that surveyed. The lowering clouds neeessitated the pres encc of artificial light which was sup piled in the shape of several dngy lan- terms. The place was stuffy with tas smoke of innumerable cigars and cigar cites and the wind howled outside with the fury of q pack of demons. The rain beat upon the windows as a shower ef shot every pane rattled with the voice of paudemonium and the very struefnfe trenlbled and groaned as though striv- ing to wresl loose from it's metal moor ings. but the men laughed and sang. the eyes of the women sparkled with excite ment and glasses clinked to a merry tune as corks popped and champagne hubbled at cost of s5 the bottle.
 The hilarity was, however, short lived. for disappointment caused most of the thrana to nYit the pavilia1 long ere the short hand of the watch had scored l. and | sAs rf alone as l wound my way back to the boat.
 It is impossible to describe the sensa- ton that companioned that hour. Tie immeasurable ocean lay at my feet In ha aiy I templated the earth only in it's ele- ments. or as constituting part of the solar system and the sublimity of the spot was accentuated and amplified by the weird environment The incessant cares of mortals took wings, the pur- suit of mankind faded to the indistincl- ness of q dream and the energies of animated nature were remembered no more. He who has spent a midnight hour at the North Cape need never expect to experience similar sensa- ton under any other environment. What we lost that night was amply compen- sated for the following night when the captain stopped his boat and allowed us to view an unobscured sun creep along the horizon at an elevation of about five diameters and then start upon it's jour ney of retracing it's course across the sky We sailed shortly after midnight and in the afternoon arrived at L.yng- seidet, where q large Lapp camp was visited Here are to be seen hundreds of reindeer which the LappV lasso for the delectation of the visitors. The ani- mals make peculiarly cracking sound with their hooves when running which may be heard for half a mile away when a large herd Is in motion. The deer are milked but two or three times a week and the milk is so thick that it needs be frightened with water.
 he 1ad in iff they failed to do a thriving business. as most of the visitors had completed their purchasing with the colo~~ at Tromsoe. The only vestiges of civiliza- ton at Lyngseidet are parsonage and a physicians residence.
 A call at Svolvaer a lonely, isolated fishing town with no retail trade but few postal cards, and a visit to the natural tunnel of Torghatten completed the trip
 The jaunt is therexperience of a life time and one can never forget the fort night of dolce far niente spent upon the Vega, the craft which bore him to the ends of the earth
 People Extremely Hospitable
 The people of Norway extremely hospitable and notedly kind hearted, es- pecially to animals. Their care for their horses is remarkable They never ride when ascending hill and often would never have been able to observe any ascent in the road had not noted my driver getting out of the vehicle to walk. Nothing can induce them to hurry their steeds and cajolery, abuse and bribes are equally of no avail in this respect Often when fearful of missing a steamer have I essayed to urge my man to greater speed but all to no purpose.
 The table d'hote is unknown in Nor way. The viands are placed upon q large table in the center of the dining hall and guests must wait upon them selves. though side tables are furnished for being seated while eating.
 Few people who are familiar with the Swatsika cross are aware of the fact duction of the hammer of Thor, the Scandinavian god of thunder and the origin of our name for Thursday. This hammer was the source of the noise produced by thunder, was invincible in battle and always returned to it's mas ter's hand when slung by him at an enemy. The sign Is frequently met up with in the runic relics of Norway. Thus has a Morse god of organism furnished variant for the symbol of Christianity and supplied name in the Christian method for the reckoning of the flight of time.
 Those who contemplate a visit to the North Cape should go prepared to miss the view of the midnight sun, as 1t is a phenomenon accompanied with much uncertainty. but they will not be dis appointed in their expectations of cull- ing from the trip fortnight of dolce far niente.