DENMARK. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] THE Continental portion of Denmark is bounded on the north by the channel of the Skager-rack, on the south by the duchy of Schleswig, on the west by the North Sea, and on the east by the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat. It covers an area of 23,874 square miles. The islands of the Danish archipelago, however, add largely to the extent of the kingdom, covering, with Greenland, Iceland, and the Danish possessions in the Antilles, an additional area of 141,025 square miles. The surface of European Denmark is almost entirely level; the coasts are low, and are in many places protected from the inundations of the sea by means of dikes, as in Holland. The rivers are inconsiderable in size, and the soil is in many places marshy. Lakes abound both on the mainland and in the islands, while along the coast there are numerous salt-water lagoons. The climate of Denmark is humid, but generally very temperate and salubrious; vegetation is very luxuriant, and the bulk of the population are agriculturists. The entire population of Denmark numbered in 1870 about 1,812,142. Of these, 1,769,583 profess the Lutheran religion, and the remainder are divided among the Jews, Catholics, Greeks, Methodists, Anabaptists, Mormons, and Quakers. The entire national debt of Denmark amounted in 1871 to 117,058,367 rix-dollars. The government receipts from March, 1872, to March, 1873; amounted to 24,470,350 rix-dollars, and the expenses to 24,879,837 rix-dollars, making an increase for that year to the national debt of 409,487 rixdollars. The army is raised by conscription, the plan being somewhat similar to the one adopted in Prussia. The service is entered at the age of twenty-two, and lasts for eight years in the line and reserve. On a war footing, the Danish army comprises but 56,656 men. Corn, cattle, and dairy produce are the staple exports of Denmark, which is essentially an agricultural country. For the last few years the average export of corn has been about 1,500,000 quarters; that of cattle: 18,000 sheep, 53,000 horned cattle, HISTORY. and 50,000 swine. The Danish horses are also largely exported, being much sought for on the Continent on account of their strength and endurance. There are very few forests in Denmark, and consequently hardly any of the larger wild animals abound; the woods were formerly extensive, but they have been gradually cut down, until now there remain but a few on the eastern coasts of Jutland. Here the wild boar is occasionally met; also the stag and fallow-deer; while foxes, martens, and pole-cats exist in great numbers. The principal islands of the Danish archipelago belonging to Denmark are Zoaland (on which Copenhagen is situated), Fünen, Alsen, Langeland, Aaland, Falster, Moen, Femern, and many others of smaller size. The inhabitants of these islands are principally engaged in the fisheries, which supply them with a large portion of their food. History. In the earliest historic times Denmark comprised Jutland, including the duchy of Schleswig, the Danish Islands, and the southern part of Sweden. Christianity was not introduced into the kingdom until the year 826, before which period the inhabitants all engaged in the worship of Odin, from whom their princes were supposed to be descended. These princes were called Skioldungiens, from Skiold, the first of the line. From the beginning of the eighth century the Danes as well as the Norwegians engaged extensively in piracy, and their incursions are often mentioned in history, where they frequently bear the name of Northmen. They attempted to succor the Saxons in their wars with Charlemagne, but were defeated and obliged to sue for peace in 803, when the River Eyder was declared the boundary between Denmark and Germany, and remained such until 1864, when Denmark was forced to surrender the duchy of Schleswig to the German Empire. During the war with Charlemagne, a line of defenses was constructed by the Danish king from the Eyder to the Baltic. This was extended in the 10th century into the famous Danevirke by Thyra, wife of King Gorm, who went by the name of Danabod, or | alyze all the efforts of the king; but this Danes' joy. In their frequent incursions, the Danes ravaged the coasts of the Carlovingian empire, of Spain, and, above all, of Great Britain. Twice nearly the whole of England was conquered by them: once in 878, during the time of Alfred the Great, who soon took from them the greater part of their conquests; and again under Canute the Great in 1015, after the death of Edmund Ironsides. It was during the reign of Canute that Christianity became thoroughly established in Denmark. Although the Danes did not participate in the crusades, they made expeditions for the establishment of Christianity into the provinces east and south of the Baltic. On one of these occasions, during a battle near Revel, when they were pressed and almost overcome by enemies, they were rallied by the appearance of a scarlet banner bearing a white cross, which, according to their belief, fell down from heaven, but which was in reality sent by the pope. Since that time (1219) this banner, called the Danebrog, has been the national emblem, superseding the figure of the raven used by the Danish kings up to that period. The empire of Canute, consisting of Denmark and Norway, with territories along the shores of the Baltic, also of England and part of Scotland, was broken up, and Denmark was distracted by intestine feuds until the reign of Queen Margaret, daughter of Waldemar IV., when the crowns of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were united by the union of Calmar (1397). This union, however, existed but nominally; and after being several times ruptured, was finally broken in 1523. In 1448, after the death of Christopher of Bavaria, Christian I., the first of the house of Oldenburg, which still reigns in Denmark, was elected to the throne. During his reign the duchy of Holstein was attached to the kingdom. Under Christian IV., Denmark took an unfortunate part in the ThirtyYears' War, and lost many of its provinces. This monarch did much, however, toward the improvement of the country, and left many lasting monuments in the numerous handsome buildings which he caused to be erected, notably the castles of Fredericksberg and Rosenburg. The power of the nobility, however, was so great as to par was overthrown by a popular insurrection during the reign of his son, Frederick III., in 1665, when their want of patriotism had occasioned the loss of the provinces east of the Sound, which were conquered by Charles X., of Sweden, to which kingdom they have ever since belonged. From 1665 to 1848 Denmark remained an absolute hereditary monarchy, and during that period greatly increased in commerce and prosperity. This happy state was but twice interrupted by wars with England, in 1802 and 1807. During the latter period Copenhagen was severely bombarded by English vessels, and the Danish fleet was captured and carried away to England. Having been drawn against her will into the wars which agitated Europe, Denmark was obliged in 1814 to cede Norway to Sweden, while in 1816 she gained the duchy of Lauenburg, ceded to her by Prussia. In 1849 Frederick VII. granted a parliamentary constitution to the kingdom; a Diet was formed composed of two assemblies-the Folkething, corresponding with the House of Commons; and the Lands-thing, or House of Lords. Frederick VII. being the last of the direct descendants of Christian I. in the eldest branch of the house of Oldenburg, with the exception of a childless uncle, the question of the succession caused great commotion throughout the kingdom, and gave a pretext for the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg to separate themselves from Denmark. A war of three years ensued with Prussia, which terminated in the year 1852 in the defeat of the latter; and by the Treaty of London, May 8th, the succession was assured, after the extinction of the house of Oldenburg, to Christian of Sonderburg-Glücksburg. Nevertheless, at the death of Frederick VII., Germany reclaimed the independence of the duchies, and caused a new war, this time disastrous to Denmark, who, by the treaty signed the 30th of October, 1864, resigned the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria. Reigning Family.-Christian IX., king of Denmark; born April 8th, 1818; son of Frederick William Paul Leopold, duke of Schleswig-Holstein - Sonderburg-Glücksburg, and of Louisa Carolina, princess of Hesse; ascended the throne November 16th, 1863, and married May 26th, 1842. Princess-Royal Louise Josephine Eugénie, daughter of the late Charles XV., king of Sweden and Norway. Children-(1.) Prince Christian Charles Frederick Albert Alexander William; born September 26th, 1870. (2.) Prince Christian Frederick Charles George Waldemar Axel; born August 3d, 1872. 2. Princess Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia; born December 1st, 1844; married March 10th, 1863, to Albert Edward, prince of Wales. 3. Prince Christian William Ferdinand Adolphus George; born December 24th, 1845; accepted the crown of Greece June 6th, 1863, with the title of George I.; married October 27th, 1867, to Olga Constantinovna, grand-duchess of Russia. 4. Princess Marie Sophie Frederica Dagmar (now called Marie Fredorovna); born November 26th, 1847; married November 8th, 1866, to Alexander, hereditary grandduke of Russia. 5. Princess Thyra Amelie Caroline Charlotte Ann; born September 29th, 1853. 6. Prince Waldemar; born October 27th, 1858. Coins.-Accounts are kept in Denmark in rix-dollars, marks, and skillings. A rix-dollar contains 6 marks, or 96 skillings, there being 16 skillings to a mark. The value of these coins in our money naturally varies according to the rate of exchange, but 1 rix-dollar is equivalent, on an average, to 55 or 56 cents, 1 mark to 93 cents, and 1 skilling to 3 of a cent. Measures.-The Danish foot is divided into 12 inches, but is somewhat longer than an English foot, being equal to 12 of our inches. Two of these feet make an alen, or ell. The Danish mile measures about 24,000 feet. Weights. The Danish pund, or pound, is divided into 32 lod, two of which are equivalent to an English ounce, and is consequently equal to 1 lb. 1 oz. avoirdupois, English. A lispund contains 16 pounds. ROUTE 70.-Paris to Copenhagen, via Cologne, Minden, Hanover, Luneburg, Hamburg, and Kiel. Time, 43 h. 40 m.; fare, $26 70. From Hamburg, via Kiel, is the mail route, but via Lubeck is the most interesting, as that old and exceedingly interesting town should be visited. Steamers leave Lubeck three times per week for Copenhagen during the season, but very irregularly after. The time is somewhat lessened by a new road, opened in 1873, from Hanover, through Luneburg, direct to Hamburg, without going to Berlin. Time from Paris to Hamburg, 29 h. 15 m. The actual traveling time from Paris to Copenhagen, via Lubeck, is 47 h. 15 m., viz.: to Hamburg, 29 h. 15 m.; Hamburg to Lubeck, 1 h. 30 m.; and from Lubeck to Copenhagen (by steamer), 16 h. 30 m. Via Kiel (mail route): to Hamburg, 29 h. 15 m.; Hamburg to Kiel, 3 hours; Kiel to Corsoer (by steamer), 6 h. 30 m.; Corsoer to Copenhagen, 4 h. 35 m. The fare by each route is about the same, viz., 133 frs. 85 c. If going by the mail route, be particular in making an excursion to Lubeck before leaving Hamburg. In visiting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the tourist must not expect to find either cab-drivers or porters who understand one word either of English, French, or German. If he have no courier, he must prepare himself to be annoyed. Neither will he find a steward on a steamer, and very few waiters, speaking any language but their own. If arriving at Copenhagen by steamer, beckon to a porter, who will carry your baggage to the custom-house, which is near the landing, and, when examined, will take it to a carriage outside the gate. There is an omnibus at the station at Kiel to convey passengers to the steamer, which starts early in the evening. The steamers are small, but comfortable. Supper on board, 2 fr. 75 c., or 1 rix-dollar, which is divided into 96 skillings. The town of Kiel is situated at the head of the Fiord of Kiel, and contains 25,000 inhabitants. There is a railway hotel close to the station. This is one of the best harbors on the shores of the Baltic, and the German government is making it one of the strongest naval dépôts in the world. Its situation is very handsome. It pos |