第2章
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  Letanyonefancyanexcursionamidst900ships,greatandsmall,whichlinedbothshoresoftheElbeintiersofthreedeepormore;

  thepassingtoandfroofcountlessboatsbusilyemployedinloadingorunloadingthesevessels;thesethings,togetherwiththeshoutingandsingingofthesailors,therattlingofanchorswhicharebeingweighed,andtherushandswellofpassingsteamers,combinetoconstituteapicturenottobesurpassedinanycityexceptinthatmetropolisoftheworld,London。{12}

  Thereasonofthisunusualactivityintheharbourlayintheseverityofthepastwinter。Suchawinterhadnotbeenexperiencedforseventyyears:theElbeandtheBalticlayformonthsinicychains,andnotashipcouldtraversethefrozenriver,notananchorcouldbeweighedorlowered。Itwasonlyashorttimebeforemyarrivalthatthepassagehadoncemorebecomefree。

  Intheneighbourhoodoftheharbouraresituatedthegreaternumberoftheso-called\"yards。\"Ihadreadconcerningthemthat,viewedfromtheexterior,theylooklikecommonhouses;butthattheyconstituteseparatecommunities,andcontainalleysandstreets,servingasthedomicileofinnumerablefamilies。Ivisitedseveraloftheseplaces,andcanassurethereaderthatIsawnothingextraordinaryinthem。Houseswithtwolargewings,forminganalleyoffromeightytoahundredpacesinlength,aretobemetwithineverylargetown;andthatanumberoffamiliesshouldinhabitsuchahouseisnotremarkable,consideringthattheyareallpoor,andthateachonlypossessesasinglesmallapartment。

  Thefavouritewalkinthetownisthe\"Jungfernstieg\"Maiden\'sWalk,abroadalley,extendingroundaspaciousandbeautifulbasinoftheAlster。Ononesidearesplendidhotels,withwhichHamburghisrichlyprovided;ontheother,anumberofprivateresidencesofequalpretensions。Otherwalksare,the\"Wall,\"surroundingthetown,andthe\"BotanicalGarden,\"whichresemblesafinepark。Thenoblestbuilding,distinguishedalikeasregardsluxury,skill,tastefulnessofdesign,andstability,istheBazaar。Itistrulyagiganticundertaking,andthemoretobeadmiredfromthefactthatitisnotbuiltuponshares,butattheexpenseofasingleindividual,HerrCarlSillem;thearchitect\'snameisOverdick。Thebuildingitselfisconstructedentirelyofstone,andthewallsofthegreatroomandofthehallareinlaidwithmarble。Aloftycupolaandanimmenseglazeddomecoverboththegreatroomandthehall;theupperstaircasesareornamentedwithbeautifulstatues。

  Whenintheeveningitisbrilliantlylightedwithgas,andfurtherornamentedbyatastefuldisplayoftherichestwares,thespectatorcanalmostfancyhimselftransportedtoafairypalace。

  AltogethertheshopsinHamburghareveryluxurious。Thewaresliedisplayedinthemosttastefulmannerbehindhugewindowsofplate-

  glass,whichareoftenfromfivetosixfeetbroad,andeightortenfeethigh;asinglesheetfrequentlycosts600florins。Thisplate-

  glassluxuryisnotconfinedtoshops,butextendstowindowsgenerally,notonlyinHamburgh,butalsoinAltona,andisalsoseeninthehandsomestcountry-housesoftheHamburghers。Manyapanecostseightortenflorins;andtheglassisinsuredincaseofbreakage,likehousesincaseoffire。

  Thisdisplayofglassisequalledbythecostlinessofthefurniture,whichisalmostuniversallyofmahogany;awoodwhichishereinsuchcommonuse,thatinsomeofthemosteleganthousestheverystair-banistersareconstructedofit。Eventhepilotshaveoftenmahoganyfurniture。

  Thehandsomestandmostfrequentedstreetisthe\"NeueWall\"NewWall。Iwasparticularlystruckwiththenumberofshopsanddwellingsunderground,towhichonedescendsbyaflightofsixoreightstairs;anironrailingisgenerallyplacedbeforetheentrance,topreventthepassers-byfromfallingdown。

  Averypracticalinstitutionisthegreatslaughterhouse,inwhichallcattlearekilledoncertaindaysoftheweek。

  ConcerningthetownofAltona,IhaveonlytoobservethatitappearedtomeacontinuationofHamburgh;fromwhichtown,indeed,itisonlyseparatedbyawoodendoor。Averybroad,handsomestreet,or,moreproperlyspeaking,anelongatedsquare,plantedwithadoublerowoflargetrees,isthemostremarkablethingaboutAltona,whichbelongstotheDanishGovernment,andisconsidered,afterCopenhagen,themostimportantplaceinthekingdom。

  ItisadeliciousridetothevillageofBlankenese,distantninemilesfromHamburgh;theroadliesamongbeautifulcountry-housesandlargepark-likegardens。Blankeneseitselfconsistsofcottages,groupedinapicturesquemannerroundtheSulberg,ahillfromwhichthetravellerenjoysaveryextendedviewoverthegreatplain,inwhichitistheonlyelevatedpoint。ThecourseoftheElbe,asitwindsatmoderatespeedtowardsthesea,isheretobetracedalmosttoitsembouchureatCuxhaven。

  ThebreadthoftheElbeatBlankeneseexceedstwomiles。

  Anotherinterestingexcursionistothe\"NewMills,\"alittlevillageontheElbe,notmorethanhalfamilefromAltona,andinhabitedonlybyfishermenandpilots。WhoeverwishestoformanideaofDutchprettinessandcleanlinessshouldcomehere。

  Thehousesaremostlyonestoryhigh,neatlyandtastefullybuilt;

  thebrightestofbrasshandlesadornthestreet-doors;thewindowsarekeptscrupulouslyclean,andfurnishedwithwhitecurtains。

  InSaxonyIhadfoundmanydwellingsofthepeasantrytidyandneatenough,displayingatanyratemoreopulencethanweareaccustomedtofindwiththisclassofpeople;butIhadseennonetocompetewiththisprettyvillage。

  Amongthepeasants\'costumes,Ionlylikedthatwornbythewomenfromthe\"Vierlanden。\"Theywearshortfullskirtsofblackstuff,finewhitechemisetteswithlongsleeves,andcolouredbodices,lightlyfastenedinfrontwithsilkcordsorsilverbuckles。Theirstrawhatshaveamostcomicalappearance;thebrimofthehatisturnedupinsuchamannerthatthecrownappearstohavecompletelysunkin。ManyprettyyounggirlsdressedinthismannercometoHamburghtosellflowers,andtakeuptheirpositioninfrontoftheExchange。

  The26thofApril,thedayappointedformydeparture,arrivedonlytoospeedily。Topartistheunavoidablefateofthetraveller;butsometimeswepartgladly,sometimeswithregret。IneednotwritemanypagestodescribemyfeelingsatthepartinginHamburgh。I

  wasleavingbehindmemylastrelations,mylastfriends。NowIwasgoingintothewideworld,andamongstrangers。

  Ateighto\'clockinthemorningIleftAltona,andproceededbyrailwaytoKiel。

  Inoticedwithpleasurethatonthisrailwayeventhethird-classcarriagesweresecurelycoveredin,andfurnishedwithglasswindows。Infact,theyonlydifferedfromthoseofthefirstandsecondclassinbeingpaintedadifferentcolour,andhavingtheseatsuncushioned。

  Thewholedistanceofseventymileswaspassedinthreehours;arapidjourney,butagreeablemerelybyitsrapidity,forthewholeneighbourhoodpresentsonlywidely-extendedplains,turf-bogsandmoorlands,sandyplacesandheaths,interspersedwithalittlemeadoworarableland。Fromthenatureofthesoil,thewaterintheditchesandfieldslookedblackasink。

  NearBinneburgwenoticeafewstuntedplantationsoftrees。FromEisholmabranch-lineleadstoGluckstadt,andanotherfromNeumunster,alargeplacewithimportantcloth-factories,toRendsburg。

  Fromherethereisnothingtobeseenbutaconvent,inwhichmanyDukesofHolsteinlieburied,andseveralunimportantlakes;forinstance,thoseofBernsholm,Einfeld,andSchulhof。ThelittleriverEiderwouldhavepassedunnoticedbyme,hadnotsomeofmyfellow-passengersmadeagreatfeatureofit。InthefinestcountriesIhavefoundthenativesfarlessenthusiasticaboutwhatwasreallygrandandbeautiful,thantheywerehereinpraiseofwhatwasneithertheonenortheother。Myneighbour,averyagreeablelady,wasuntiringinlaudationofherbeautifulnativeland。Inhereyesthecrippledwoodwasasplendidpark,thewastemoorlandaninexhaustiblefieldforcontemplation,andeverytrifleamatterofrealimportance。InmyheartIwishedherjoyofherfervidimagination;butunfortunatelymycoldernaturewouldnotcatchtheinfection。

  TowardsKieltheplainbecomesaregionoflowhills。KielitselfisprettilysituatedontheBaltic,which,viewedfromthence,hastheappearanceofalakeofmiddlingsize。Theharbourissaidtobegood;buttherewerenotmanyshipsthere。{13}AmongthesewasthesteamerdestinedtocarrymetoCopenhagen。LittledidI

  anticipatethegoodreasonIshouldhavetorememberthisvessel。

  ThankstotheaffectionateforethoughtofmycousinSchmidt,Ifoundoneofhisrelations,HerrBrauer,waitingformeattherailway。I

  wasimmediatelyintroducedtohisfamily,andpassedthefewhoursofmystayveryagreeablyintheircompany。

  Eveningapproached,andwithitthehourofembarkation。MykindfriendstheBrauersaccompaniedmetothesteamer,andItookagratefulleaveofthem。

  IsoondiscoveredthesteamerChristianVIII。,of180-horsepower,tobeavesseldirtierandmoreuncomfortablethananywithwhichI

  hadbecomeacquaintedinmymaritimeexcursions。Scrubbingandsweepingseemedthingsunknownhere。Theapproachtothecabinwasbyaflightofstairssosteep,thatgreatcarewasrequisitetoavoiddescendinginanexpeditiousbutdisagreeablemanner,byafallfromtoptobottom。Inthefore-cabintherewasnoattemptatseparatequartersforladiesandgentlemen。Inshort,thearrangementsseemedalltohavebeenmadewithaviewofimpressingtheshipvividlyontherecollectionofeverytraveller。

  Atnineo\'clockweleftKiel。Thedayandthetwilightareherealreadylongerthaninthelandslyingtothesouthandthewest。

  Therewaslightenoughtoenablemetosee,loomingoutofthesurroundingdarkness,thefortress\"Friedrichsort,\"whichwepassedataboutteno\'clock。

  April27th。

  To-dayIstillrosewiththesun;butthatwillsoonbeadifficultmattertoaccomplish;forinthenorththegoddessoflightmakesamendsinspringandsummerforhershortcomingsduringthewinter。

  Iwentondeck,andlookedonthebroadexpanseofocean。Nolandwastobeseen;butsoonacoastappeared,thendisappeared,andthenanewandmoredistantoneroseoutofthesea。TowardsnoonwereachedtheislandofMoen,whichliesaboutforty{14}milesdistantfromCopenhagen。Itformsabeautifulgroupofrocks,risingboldlyfromthesea。Theyarewhiteaschalk,andhaveasmoothandshiningappearance。Thehighestofthesewallsofrocktowers400feetabovethelevelofthesurroundingocean。SoonwesawthecoastofSweden,thentheislandofMalmo;andatlastCopenhagenitself,wherewelandedatfouro\'clockintheafternoon。

  ThedistancefromKieltoCopenhagenis136sea-miles。

  IremainedsevendaysatCopenhagen,andshouldhavehadampletimetoseeeverything,hadtheweatherbeenmorefavourable。Butitblewandrainedsoviolently,thatIwasobligedtogiveupallthoughtsofvisitingthesurroundingparks,andwasfaintocontentmyselfwithseeingafewofthenearestwalks,whichIaccomplishedwithsomedifficulty。

  ThefirststreetinCopenhagenwhichItraversedoncomingfromtheharbourgenerallyproducesagreatimpression。Itiscalledthe\"BroadStreet,\"andleadsfromtheharbourthroughthegreaterpartofthetown。Inadditiontoitsbreadthitisverylongandregular,andthesplendidpalacesandhousesoneithersidegiveitaremarkablygrandappearance。

  Itisapeculiarsight,when,inthemidstofthisfinequarter,wecomesuddenlyuponaruin,agiantbuildingrestingonhugepillars,buthalfcompleted,andpartlycoveredwithmossandlichens。Itwasintendedforasplendidchurch,andisbuiltentirelyofmarble;

  butthesoftgroundwouldnotbeartheimmenseweight。Thehalf-

  finishedbuildingbegantosink,andthecompletionoftheundertakingbecameforeverimpossible。

  Manyotherstreetsrivalthe\"BroadStreet\"insizeandmagnificence。ForemostamongthemcomestheAmalienstrasse。Themostbustling,butbyfarnotthefinest,aretheOsterandGotherstrasse。Towalkintheseisatfirstquiteadifficultundertakingforastranger。Ononesideofthepavement,whichisraisedaboutafootabovethecarriage-way,hecomescontinuallyincontactwithstairs,leadingsometimestowarehousesabove,atotherstosubterraneanwarehousesbelowthelevelofthestreet。

  TheapproachestothelatterarenotguardedbyrailingsasinHamburgh。Theothersideofthepavementisboundedbyalittleunostentatiousrivulet,calledbyunpoeticalpeople\"canal,\"intowhichtributariesequallysweetpourfromalltheneighbouringhouses。Itisthereforenecessarytotakegreatcare,lestyoushouldfallintothetraitorousdepthsontheoneside,orstumbleovertheprojectingstepsontheother。Thepavementitselfiscoveredwitharowofstoneslabs,afootandahalfwide,onwhichonewalkscomfortablyenough。Buttheneverybodycontendsforthepossessionofthese,toavoidtheunevenandpointedstonesattheside。This,addedtothedreadfulcrowding,rendersthestreetonewhichwouldscarcelybechosenforawalk,thelesssoastheshopsdonotcontainanythinghandsome,thehousesareneitherpalace-

  likenoreventastefullybuilt,andthestreetitselfisneitherofthebroadestnorofthecleanest。

  Thesquaresarealllargeandregularlybuilt。ThefinestistheKongensnytorfKing\'sNewMarket。Somefinemansions,thechiefguard-house,thetheatre,thechiefcoffee-housesandinns,theacademyofthefinearts,andthebuildingbelongingtothebotanicalgarden,thetwolastcommonlyknownbythenameof\"Charlottenburg,\"areamongtheornamentsofthismagnificentsquare,inthemidstofwhichstandsabeautifulmonument,representingChristianV。onhorseback,andsurroundedbyseveralfigures。

  Smaller,butmorebeautifulinitsperfectsymmetry,isthe\"Amalienplatz,\"containingfourroyalpalaces,builtexactlyalike,andintersectedbyfourbroadstreetsintheformofacross。Thissquarealsoisdecoratedbyamonumentstandinginthemidst,andrepresentingFrederickV。Inanotherfinesquare,the\"Nytorf\"NewMarket,thereisafountain。Itslittlestatuesendsforthverymeagrejetsofwater,andthefountainismerelynoticeableasbeingtheonlyoneIcouldfindatCopenhagen。

  Thetravellercanhardlyfailofbeingsurprisedbythenumberandmagnificenceofthepalaces,atsightofwhichhecouldfancyhimselfinthemetropolisofoneofthelargestkingdoms。The\"Christianensburg\"istrulyimperial;itwascompletelydestroyedbyfireintheyear1794,buthassincebeenrebuiltwithincreasedsplendour。Thechapelofthispalaceisveryremarkable。Theinteriorhastheappearanceratherofaconcert-roomthanofabuildingdevotedtopurposesofworship。Tastefullydecoratedboxes,amongwhichwenoticethatoftheking,togetherwithgalleries,occupytheupperpartofthechapel;thelowerisfilledwithbenchescoveredwithredvelvetandsilk。Thepulpitandaltararesoentirelywithoutdecoration,that,onfirstentering,theywhollyescapenotice。

  Inthe\"Christianensburg\"isalsothe\"NorthernMuseum,\"peculiarlyrichinspecimensoftheornaments,weapons,musicalinstruments,andothermementoesofnorthernnations。

  TheWinterRiding-school,inwhichconcertsarefrequentlygiven,islargeandsymmetrical。Iadmiredthestalls,andyetmorethegreyhorseswhichoccupiedthem——descendantsofthepureArabianandwildNorwegianbreeds——creatureswithlongmanesandtailsoffinesilkyhair。Everyonewhoseesthesehorses,whetherhebeaconnoisseuroroneoftheuninitiated,mustadmirethem。

  Adjoiningthe\"Christianensburg\"isThorwaldsen\'sMuseum,asquarebuildingwithfinesaloons,lightedfromabove。WhenIsawit,itwasnotcompleted;thewallswerebeingpaintedinfrescobysomeofthefirstnativeartists。Thesculpturedtreasureswerethere,butunfortunatelyyetunpacked。

  InthemidstofthecourtyardThorwaldsen\'smausoleumisbeingerected。Therehisasheswillrest,withhisexquisitelyfinishedlionasagravestoneabovethem。{15}

  Thelargestamongthechurchesisthe\"Woman\'sChurch。\"Thebuildinghasnoarchitecturalbeauty;thepillars,galleries,andcupolaareallofwood,coveredwithamixtureofsandandplaster。

  Butwhatevermaybewantinginoutwardsplendouriscompensatedbyitscontents,forthischurchcontainsthemasterpiecesofThorwaldsen。AtthehighaltarstandshisgloriousfigureofourSaviour,inthenichesofthewallhiscolossaltwelveapostles。

  Inthecontemplationoftheseworksweforgettheplainnessofthebuildingwhichcontainsthem。Maythefatesbeprosperous,andnoconflagrationreachthischurch,builtasitishalfofwood!

  TheCatholicChurchissmall,buttastefulbeyondexpression。ThelateemperorofAustriapresentedtoitagoodfull-tonedorgan,andtwooil-paintings,onebyKuppelweiser,theotherbyapupilofthismaster。

  Inthe\"MuseumofArts\"Iwasmostinterestedintheancientchair,usedindaysofyorebyTychodeBrahe。{16}

  TheExchangeisacuriousancientbuilding。Itisverylongandnarrow,andsurmountedbyninepeaks,fromthecentreofwhichprotrudesaremarkablepointedtower,formedoffourcrocodiles\'

  tailsintertwined。

  Thehallitselfissmall,low,anddark;itcontainsafull-lengthportraitinoilofTychodeBrahe。Nearlyalltheupperpartofthebuildingisconvertedintoakindofbazaar,andthelowerportioncontainsanumberofsmallanddingybooths。

  Severalcanals,havinganoutletintothesea,giveapeculiarcharmtothetown。Theyare,infact,somanymarkets;forthecraftlyinginthemareladenwithprovisionsofallkinds,whicharehereofferedforsale。

  TheSailors\'Town,adjoiningCopenhagen,andsituatedneartheharbour,issingularlyneatandpretty。Itconsistsofthreelong,broad,straightstreets,builtofhouseslookingsoexactlyalike,thatonafoggynightanaccurateknowledgeofthelocalityisrequisitetoknowonefromtheother。Itlooksasthough,oneachsideoftheway,therewereonlyonelonghouseofasinglefloor,withabuildingonestoryhighinthemiddle。Inthelatterdwellthecommandantandoverseers。

  ThelightingofthestreetsismanagedinCopenhageninthesamewayasinoursmallerGermantowns。When\"moonlight\"isannouncedinthecalendar,notalampislighted。Iftheladymoonchoosestohidebehinddarkclouds,thatisherfault。Itwouldbeinsolenttoattempttosupplytheplaceofherradiancewithmiserablelamps——awisearrangement!?

  Ofthenearwalks,thegardenofthe\"Rosenburg,\"withinthetown,pleasedmemuch;asdidalsothe\"LongLine,\"analleyofbeautifultreesextendingparallelwiththesea,andinwhichonecaneitherwalkorride。Acoffee-house,infrontofwhichthereismusicinfineweather,attractsmanyoftheloungers。Themostbeautifulplaceofallisthe\"Kastell,\"abovethe\"LongLine,\"fromwhenceonecanenjoyabeautifulview。Thetownliesdisplayedbelowinallitsmagnificence:theharbour,withitsmanyships;thesparklingblueSound,whichspreadsitsbroadexpansebetweenthecoastsofDenmarkandSweden,andwashesmanyabeautifulgroupofislandsbelongingtooneortheotherofthesecountries。Thebackgroundofthepicturealoneisuninteresting,asthereisnochainofmountainstoformahorizon,andtheeyewandersovertheboundlessflatsofDenmark。

  AmongthevesselslyingatanchorintheharbourIsawbutfewthree-masters,andstillfewersteamers。Theshipsofthefleetpresentedacuriousappearance;atthefirstviewtheylooklikegreathouseswithflag-staves,foreveryshipisprovidedwitharoof,outofwhichthemastsriseintotheair;theyarebesidesveryhighoutofthewater,sothatalltheport-holesandthewindowsofthecabinsappearintwoorthreestories,oneabovetheother。

  Asomewhatmoredistantexcursion,whichcanbeveryconvenientlymadeinacapitalomnibus,takesyoutotheroyalchateau\"Friedrichsberg,\"lyingbeforethewater-gate,twomilesdistantfromthetown。Splendidavenuesleadtothisplace,wherearetobefoundallthedelightsthatcancombinetodrawacitizenintothecountry。Thereareativoli,arailway,cabinets,andboothswithwax-figures,andcountlessothersights,besidescoffee-houses,beer-rooms,andmusic。Thegardensareplantedatthesideswithanumberofsmallarbours,eachcontainingatableand。chairs,andallopeninfront,soastoshewatoneviewallthevisitorsoftheseprettynaturalhuts。OnSundays,whenthegardensarecrowded,thisisaveryanimatedsight。

  Onthewaytothis\"Prater\"ofCopenhagen,wepassmanyhandsomevillas,eachstandinginafinegarden。

  Theroyalpalaceissituatedonthesummitofahill,attheendoftheavenue,andissurroundedbyabeautifulpark;itcommandsaviewofagreatportionofthetown,withthesurroundingcountryandthesea;stillIfarprefertheprospectfromthe\"Kastell。\"

  TheParkcontainsaconsiderableisland,which,duringsomepartoftheyear,standsinthemidstofanextensivelake。ThisislandisappropriatedtotheCourt,buttherestoftheparkisopentothepublic。

  Immediatelyoutsidethewater-gatestandsanobelisk,remarkableneitherforitsbeautynorfortheskilldisplayedinitserection,foritconsistsofvariousstones,andisnothigh,butinterestingfromthecircumstancetowhichitowesitsorigin。ItwaserectedbyhisgratefulsubjectsinmemoryofthelatekingChristianVII。,tocommemoratetheabolitionoffeudalservice。Surelynofeelingpersoncancontemplatewithoutjoyfulemotionamonumentlikethis。

  IhaveheregivenafaithfulaccountofwhatIsawduringmyshortstayatCopenhagen。Itonlyremainsformetodescribeafewpeculiarcustomsofthepeople,andsoIwillbeginasitwereattheend,withtheburialofthedead。InDenmark,asinfactinthewholeofScandinavia,notexceptingIceland,itiscustomarynottoburythedeaduntileightortendayshaveelapsed。Inwinter-timethisisnotofsomuchconsequence,butinsummeritisfarfromhealthyforthoseunderthesameroofwiththecorpse。IwaspresentatCopenhagenatthefuneralofDr。Brandis,physiciantotheking。Twooftheking\'scarriagesandanumberofprivateequipagesattended。Nearlyallthesewereempty,andtheservantswalkedbesidethem。AmongthemournersIdidnotnoticeasinglewoman;Isupposedthatthiswasonlythecaseatthefuneralsofgentlemen,butoninquiryIfoundthatthesameruleisobservedattheburialofwomen。Thisconsiderationfortheweakersexiscarriedsofar,thatonthedayofthefuneralnowomanmaybeseeninthehouseofmourning。Themournersassembleinthehouseofthedeceased,andpartakeofcoldrefreshments。Attheconclusionoftheceremonytheyareagainregaled。WhatparticularlypleasedmeinCopenhagenwas,thatIneveronanyoccasionsawbeggars,orevensuchmiserablycladpeopleasarefoundonlytoofrequentlyinourgreatcities。Heretherearenodoubtpoorpeople,astherearesucheverywhereelseintheworld,butonedoesnotseethembeg。

  Icannothelpmentioninganarrangementwhichcertainlydeservestobeuniversallycarriedout;——Imean,thesettingapartofmanylargehouses,partlybelongingtotheroyalfamily,partlytorichprivatepeopleortocompanies,forthereceptionofpoorpeople,whoareherelodgedatamuchcheaperratethanispossibleinordinarydwellings。

  Thecostumesofthepeasantsdidnotparticularlypleaseme。Thewomenweardressesofgreenorblackwoollenstuff,reachingtotheankle,andtrimmedattheskirtwithbroadcolouredwoollenborders。

  Theseamsofthespenser,andthearm-holes,arealsotrimmedwithsmallercolouredborders。Ontheirheadstheywearahandkerchief,andoverthisakindofshade,likeabonnet。OnSundaysIsawmanyoftheminsmall,prettycaps,workedwithsilk,withaborderoflaceofmorethanahand\'sbreadth,plaitedverystiffly;atthebacktheyhavelargebowsoffineriband,theendsofwhichreachhalfdowntotheirfeet。Ifoundnothingveryremarkableinthedressofthepeasants。Asfarasstrengthandbeautywereconcerned,IthoughtthesepeasantswereneithermorenorlessgiftedthanthoseofAustria。Asregardsthebeautyofthefairsex,IshouldcertainlygivethepreferencetotheAustrians。Fairhairandblueeyespredominate。

  Isawbutfewsoldiers;theiruniforms,particularlythosewornbytheking\'slife-guards,areveryhandsome。

  Iespeciallynoticedthedrummers;theywerealllittleladsoftenortwelveyearsold。Onecouldalmosthaveexclaimed,\"Drum,whitherartthoucarryingthatboy?\"Tomarch,andtojoininfatiguingmanoeuvres,carryingsuchadrum,andbeatingitbravelyatthesametime,israthercruelworkforsuchyounglads。Manyaruinedconstitutionmaybeascribedtothiscustom。

  DuringmystayinCopenhagenIspentmanyverydelightfulhourswithProfessorMariboeandhisamiablefamily,andwiththekindclergymanoftheembassy,HerrZimmermann。Theyreceivedmewithtruepolitenessandhospitality,anddrewmeintotheircircle,whereIsoonfeltmyselfquiteatease。Ishallneverforgettheirfriendship,andshallmakeuseofeveryopportunitytoshewthemmyappreciationofit。HerrEdouardGottschalkandHerrKnudsonhavealsomybestthanks。IappliedtothefirstofthesegentlementoprocuremeapassagetoIceland,andhewaskindenoughtousehisinterestwithHerrKnudsononmybehalf。

  HerrKnudsonisoneofthefirstgeneraldealersinCopenhagen,andcarriesonalargerandmoreextendedcommercewithIcelandthananyotherhousetradingthither。Heisalreadybeginningtoretire,asthecontinualjourneysarebecomingirksometohim;buthestillownsanumberofgreatandsmallvessels,whicharepartlyemployedinthefisheries,andpartlyinbringingallkindsofarticlesofconsumptionandluxurytothedifferentharboursofIceland。

  Hehimselfgoesinoneofhisshipseveryyear,andstaysafewmonthsinIcelandtosettlehisaffairsthere。OntherecommendationofHerrGottschalk,HerrKnudsonwaskindenoughtogivemeapassageintheshipinwhichhemadethejourneyhimself;

  afavourwhichIknewhowtovalue。Itiscertainlynosmallkindnesstotakealadypassengeronsuchajourney。HerrKnudsonknewneithermyfortitudenormyperseverance;hedidnotknowwhetherIshouldbeabletoendurethehardshipsofajourneytothenorth,whetherIwouldbearsea-sicknessphilosophically,orevenifIhadcourageenough,incaseofstormsorbadweather,toabstainfromannoyingthecaptainbymyfearsorcomplaintsatatimewhenhewouldonlyhavetoomuchtoharasshim。Thekindmanallowednosuchconsiderationstoinfluencehim。HebelievedmewhenI

  promisedtobehavecourageouslycomewhatmight,andtookmewithhim。IndeedhiskindnesswentsofarthatitistohimIoweeverycomfortIenjoyedinIceland,andeveryassistanceinfurtheringtheattainmentofmyjourney\'sobject。Icouldcertainlynothavecommencedavoyageunderbetterauspices。

  AllshipsvisitingIcelandleaveCopenhagenattheendofApril,oratthelatestinthemiddleofMay。Afterthistimeonlyoneshipisdespatched,tocarrythemailsoftheDanishgovernment。ThisvesselleavesCopenhageninOctober,remainsinIcelandduringthewintermonths,andreturnsinMarch。ThegainorlossofthisexpeditionisdistributedinsharesamongthemerchantsofCopenhagen。

  Besidesthis,aFrenchfrigatecomestoIcelandeveryspring,andcruisesamongthedifferentharboursuntilthemiddleofAugust。

  Shesuperintendsthefishingvessels,which,attractedbythelargeprofitsofthefisheries,visittheseseasingreatnumbersduringthesummer。{17}

  OpportunitiesofreturningfromIcelandoccurduringthesummeruntiltheendofSeptember,bymeansofthemerchant-ships,whichcarryfreightsfromtheislandtoDenmark,England,andSpain。

  Atlength,onSundaythe4thofMay,afavourablewindsprungup。

  HerrKnudsonsentmewordtobereadytoembarkatnoononboardthefinebrigJohn。

  Iimmediatelyproceededonboard。Theanchorwasweighed,andthesails,unfoldingthemselveslikegiantwings,waftedusgentlyoutoftheharbourofCopenhagen。Nopartingfromchildren,relations,orold-cherishedfriendsembitteredthishour。WithagladheartI

  badeadieutothecity,inthejoyfulhopesoontoseethefulfilmentofmylong-expectedjourney。

  Thebrightskysmiledaboveus,andamostfavourablewindfilledoursails。Isatondeckandrevelledinthecontemplationofscenessonewtome。Behinduslayspreadthemajestictown;beforeustheSound,animmensenaturalbasin,whichIcouldalmostcomparetoagreatSwisslake;ontherightandleftwerethecoastsofSwedenandDenmark,whichhereapproacheachothersocloselythattheyseemtoopposeabarriertothefurtherprogressoftheadventurousvoyager。

  SoonwepassedthelittleSwedishtownofCarlscrona,andthedesolateislandHveen,onwhichTychodeBrahepassedthegreaterportionofhislife,occupiedwithstellarobservationsandcalculations。Nowcameasomewhatdangerouspart,andonewhichcalledintoactionallthecarefulseamanshipofthecaptaintobringussafelythroughtheconfinedseaandthestrongcurrent,——

  theentranceoftheSoundintotheCattegat。

  Thetwocoastshereapproachtowithinamileofeachother。OntheSwedishsideliestheprettylittletownofHelsingborg,ontheDanishsidethatofHelsingor,andattheextremityofaprojectingneckoflandthefortressKronburg,whichdemandsatollofeverypassingship,andshewsalargerowofthreateningcannonincaseofnon-compliance。OurtollhadalreadybeenpaidbeforeleavingCopenhagen;wehadbeenaccuratelysignalled,andsailedfearlesslyby。{18}

  Theentranceoncepassed,weenteredtheCattegat,whichalreadylookedmorelikethegreatocean:thecoastsretiredoneachside,andmostoftheshiftsandbarques,whichtillnowhadhoveredaroundusonallsides,badeus\"farewell。\"Somebenttheircoursetowardstheeast,otherstowardsthewest;andwealone,onthebroaddesertocean,setsailfortheicynorth。Twilightdidnotsetinuntil9o\'clockatnight;andonthecoaststheflamingbeaconsflashedup,towarnthebenightedmarineroftheproximityofdangerousrocks。

  InowofferedupmythanksgivingtoHeavenfortheprotectionhithertovouchsafedme,withahumbleprayerforitscontinuance。

  ThenIdescendedtothecabin,whereIfoundaconvenientbunkakindofcribfixedtothesideoftheship;Ilaidmyselfdown,andwassooninadeepandrefreshingsleep。

  Iawokefullofhealthandspirits,which,however,Ienjoyedbutforashorttime。Duringthenightwehadleftbehindusthe\"Cattegat\"andthe\"Skagerrack,\"andweredrivingthroughthestormyGermanOcean。Ahighwind,whichincreasedalmosttoagale,tumbledourpoorshipaboutinsuchamanner,thatnonebutagooddancercouldhopetomaintainanuprightposition。IhadunfortunatelybeenfrommyyouthnovotaryofTerpsichore,andwhatwasItodo?Thenaiadsofthisstormyregionseizedme,andbandiedmetoandfro,untiltheythrewmeintothearmsofwhatwas,accordingtomyexperience,ifnotexactlyafterSchiller\'sinterpretation,\"thehorribleofhorrors,\"——sea-sickness。AtfirstItooklittleheedofthis,thinkingthatsea-sicknesswouldsoonbeovercomebyatravellerlikemyself,whoshouldbeinuredtoeverything。ButinvaindidIbearup;Ibecameworseandworse,tillI

  wasatlengthobligedtoremaininmyberthwithbutoneconsolingthought,namely,thatwewereto-dayontheopensea,wheretherewasnothingworthyofnotice。ButthefollowingdaytheNorwegiancoastwasinsight,andatallhazardsImustseeit;soIcrawledondeckmoredeadthanalive,lookedatarowofmountainsofmoderateelevation,theirtopsatthisearlyseasonstillsparklingwiththeirsnowycovering,andthenhurriedback,benumbedbythepiercingicywind,tomygoodwarmfeather-bed。Thosewhohaveneverexperienceditcanhavenoconceptionofthebiting,penetratingcoldnessofagaleofwindinthenorthernseas。Thesunshonehighintheheavens;thethermometerIalwayscalculateaccordingtoReaumurstood3degreesabovezero;IwasdressedmuchmorewarmlythanIshouldhavethoughtnecessarywhen,inmyfatherland,thethermometerwas8degreesor10degreesBELOWzero,andyetIfeltchilledtotheheart,andcouldhavefanciedthatI

  hadnoclothesonatall。

  OnthefourthnightwesailedsafelypasttheShetlandIslands;andontheeveningofthefifthdaywepassedsonearthemajesticrockygroupoftheFeroeIslands,thatwewereatonetimeapprehensiveofbeingcastupontherocksbytheunceasinggale。{19}

  AlreadyontheseventhdaywedescriedthecoastofIceland。Ourpassagehadbeenunprecedentedlyquick;thesailorsdeclaredthatafavourablegalewastobepreferredeventosteam,andthatonourpresentvoyageweshouldcertainlyhavelefteverysteamerinourwake。ButI,wretchedbeingthatIwas,wouldgladlyhavedispensedwiththeservicesbothofgaleandsteamforthesakeofafewhours\'rest。Myillnessincreasedsomuch,thatontheseventhdayIthoughtImustsuccumb。Mylimbswerebathedinacoldperspiration;Iwasasweakasaninfant,andmymouthfeltparchedanddry。IsawthatImustnoweithermakeagreateffortorgiveupentirely;soIrousedmyself,andwiththeassistanceofthecabin-boygainedaseat,andpromisedtotakeanyandeveryremedywhichshouldberecommended。Theygavemehot-watergruelwithwineandsugar;butitwasnotenoughtobeobligedtoforcethisdown,I

  wasfurthercompelledtoswallowsmallpiecesofrawbaconhighlypeppered,andevenamouthfulofrum。Ineednotsaywhatstrongdeterminationwasrequiredtomakemesubmittosucharegimen。I

  had,however,butonechoice,eithertoconquermyrepugnanceorgivemyselfupavictimtosea-sickness;sowithallpatienceandresignationIreceivedtheprofferedgifts,andfound,afteratrialofmanyhours,thatIcouldmanagetoretainasmalldose。Thisphysickingwascontinuedfortwolong,longdays,andthenIbeganslowlytorecover。

  Ihaveherecircumstantiallydescribedbothmyillnessanditscure,becausesomanypeopleareunfortunatelyvictimstothecomplaint,andwhenunderitsinfluencecannotsummonresolutiontotakesustenance。IshouldadviseallmyfriendsnottoholdoutsolongasIdid,buttotakefoodatonce,andcontinuetodosountilthesystemwillreceiveit。

  AsIwasnowconvalescent,Itriedtorecruitmyweariedmindbyadiligentstudyofthemodeoflifeandcustomsofthemarinersofthenorthernseas。

  Ourship\'scompanyconsistedofHerrKnudson,HerrBrugeamerchantwhomweweretolandattheWestmannIslands,thecaptain,themate,andsixorsevensailors。Ourmodeoflifeinthecabinwasasfollows:inthemorning,atseveno\'clock,wetookcoffee,butwhencethiscoffeecame,heavenknows!Idrankitforelevendays,andcouldneverdiscoveranythingwhichmightserveasaclueinmyattempttodiscoverthecountryofitsgrowth。Atteno\'clockwehadamealconsistingofbreadandbutterandcheese,withcoldbeeforpork,allexcellentdishesforthoseinhealth;thesecondcourseofthismorningmealwas\"tea-water。\"InScandinavia,bytheway,theyneversay,\"IdrinkTEA,\"theword\"water\"isalwaysadded:\"I

  drinkTEA-WATER。\"Our\"tea-water\"was,ifpossible,worsethanitspredecessor,theincomparablecoffee。ThusIwasbeatenatallpoints;theeatablesweretoostrongforme,thedrinkablestoo——

  too——Icanfindnoappropriateepithet——probablytooartificial。I

  consoledmyselfwiththeprospectofdinner;but,alas,toosoonthissweetvisionfadedintothinair!OnthesixthdayImademyfirstappearanceatthecoveredtable,andcouldnothelpatonceremarkingtheclothwhichhadbeenspreadoverit。Atthecommencementofourjourneyitmightperhapshavebeenwhite;nowitwasmostcertainlynolongerofthatsnowyhue。Thecontinualpitchingandrollingoftheshiphadcausedeachdishtosetitspeculiarstampuponthecloth。Asortofwoodennetworkwasnowlaiduponit,intheintersticesofwhichtheplatesandglasseswereset,andthussecuredfromfalling。Butbeforeplacingitonthetable,ourworthycabin-boytookeachplateandglassseparately,andpolisheditonatowelwhichhungnear,andincolourcertainlyratherresemblingthedingyfloorofthecabinthanthebight-huedrainbow。Thiscouldstillhavebeenendured,butthearticleinquestionreallydiddutyASATOWELinthemorning,beforeextendingitssalutaryinfluenceoverplatesandglassesfortheremainderoftheday。

  Onmakingdiscoveriessuchasthese,Iwouldmerelyturnawaymyeyes,andtrytothinkthatperhapsMYGLASSandMYPLATEwouldbemoredelicatelymanipulated,orprobablyescapealtogether;andthenIwouldturnmywholeattentiontotheexpecteddishes。

  Firstcamesoup;butinsteadofgravy-soup,itwaswater-soup,withriceanddriedplums。This,whenmingledwithredwineandsugar,formedamostexquisitedishforDanishappetites,butitcertainlydidnotsuitmine。Thesecondandconcludingcourseconsistedofalargepieceofbeef,withwhichIhadnofaulttofind,exceptthatitwastooheavyforoneinmyweakstateofhealth。Atsupperwehadthesamedishesasatdinner,andeachmealwasfollowedby\"tea-water。\"AtfirstIcouldnotfancythisbilloffareatall;

  butwithinafewdaysaftermyconvalesence,Ihadaccustomedmyselftoit,andcouldbearthesea-dietverywell。{20}

  Astherichownerofthevesselwasonboard,therewasnolackofthebestwines,andfeweveningspassedonwhichabowlofpunchwasnotemptied。Therewas,however,areasonfoundwhyeverybottleofwineorbowlofpunchshouldbedrunk:forinstance,atourembarkation,todrinkthehealthofthefriendswewereleaving,andtohopeforaquickandprosperousvoyage;then,whenthewindwasfavourable,itshealthwasdrunk,withtherequestthatitwouldremainso;whenitwascontrary,withtherequestthatitwouldchange;whenwesawland,wesaluteditwithaglassofwine,orperhapswithseveral,butIwastooilltocount;whenwelostsightofit,wedrankafarewellglasstoitshealth:sothateverydaybroughtwithitthreeorfourdistinctandseparateoccasionsfordrinkingwine。{21}

  Thesailorsdranktea-waterwithoutsugareverymorningandevening,withtheadditionofaglassofbrandy;fordinnertheyhadpease,beans,barley,orpotatoes,withsaltedcod,bacon,\"orjunk;\"goodsea-biscuittheycouldgetwhenevertheychose。

  Thedietisnottheworstpartofthesepoorpeople\'shardships。

  Theirlifemaybecalledacontinualfightagainsttheelements;foritispreciselyduringthemostdreadfulstorms,withrainandpiercingcold,thattheyhavetobecontinuallyupondeck。Icouldnotsufficientlyadmirethecoolness,orratherthecheerfulnessandalacritywithwhichtheyfulfilledtheironerousduties。Andwhatrewardhavethey?Scantypay,forfoodthedietIhavejustdescribed,andfortheirsleeping-placethesmallestandmostinconvenientpartoftheship,adarkplacefrequentlyinfestedwithvermin,andsmellingoffensivelyfrombeinglikewiseusedasareceptacleforoil-colours,varnish,tar,salt-fish,&c。&c。

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