Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

+Listad, which is one of the best sta- | base of the mountain, and making the astions on this road, and †Laurgaard, how- cent on foot. This is one of the highest ever, the scenery increases in beauty, and mountains in Norway. many fine waterfalls are passed.

+Laurgaard (3 N. miles) is the fifth station from Listad. The scene of the slaughter of Colonel Sinclair is passed near Stocklerstad, where a monument has been erected to his memory. During the war between Christian IV. of Denmark and Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, in 1612, a body of Scotch troops under Colonel Sinclair, in the service of Sweden, landed in Romsdalen, and marched toward this valley, devastating the country as they came, intending to fight their way across to Sweden. An ambush, however, was prepared for them at Kringelen by about 300 peasants, who massed up quantities of rocks, stones, and trees on the mountain in such a manner that all could be launched at the same moment into the road below. The Scotch were advancing in perfect order when the terrible avalanche was let loose upon them, and all who were not crushed or swept into the river were dispatched by the peasants, who rushed down the mountain for that purpose. Of the entire band of 900 men, two only are said to have escaped.

Near +Laurgaard some good duckshooting may be had. From here to

+Braendhangen (1 N. mile) the road passes through a beautiful rocky gorge, wooded with birch and fir, called Rusten. At

Toftemoen (1 N. mile) the stationhouse is kept by a descendant of King Harald Haarfager.

From +Dombaas (1 N. mile) the road to Molde turns off. The ascent of the Haregkampen, on the other side of the Lougan, should be made from Dombaas: this will occupy four or five hours. From the summit a most glorious view may be had, including the Rondene range, the Svenaetten, and the Romsdal peaks.

Fokstuen ( N. mile) is reached after a steep ascent of two hours.

+Jerkinn (13 N. mile) is situated on the plateau of the Dovre-Field. Here good fishing may be had, and there are many interesting excursions to be taken in the mountains. One of these is to the summit of the Snehaetten, which will occupy about twelve hours, going on horseback to the

Between +Kongsvold ( N. mile) and †Driostnen the scenery is most magnificent, and several waterfalls are passed. Here the Dovre-Field is considered to end. Between here and

Rise (14 N. miles) the Driv Elv becomes so narrow that a person could leap across it, while the depth is something immense. This is called the Maagalaupe, or stomach leap. Here the road

†Ovne (N. mile). branches off to Christiansund, or continues on to

Streen (11 N. miles), where good ptarmigan-shooting may be had. Between †Anstbjerg (1 N. mile) and †Bjerkager (1 N. mile) a cross engraved on the rock marks the spot where an unfortunate workman, engaged in the construction of the new road in 1858, was precipitated into the river, which flows 700 feet below. The road to Trondhjem through Meldal and Orkedal branches off from here, and is perhaps one of the finest in Norway, but will take longer than the route we are describing.

+Garlid, Praesthuus, †Engen, Vollan, Ler, Melhuus, and Heimdal are passed in turn before reaching Trondhjem; altogether a distance of 107 Norsk miles.

+Trondhjem contains 20,505 inhabitants. Hotels, D'Angleterre and Bellevue. This city was the capital of Norway until the time of its union with Denmark; it was founded at the end of the 10th century by King Olaf Trygvason on the site of the ancient Scandinavian Nidaros, and is situated at the mouth of the River Nid, on the south side of the fiord. The streets are spacious and clean, and the houses are all of brick or stone, according to law, which forbids the erection of wooden edifices, owing to the numerous fires by which the city has suffered.

The Cathedral is the principal object of interest here it is 347 feet in length, and 86 in breadth, except at the west end, where a chapel in each corner increases the breadth to about 145 feet. The architecture in the most ancient parts is similar to the best Norman architecture to be seen in England, and is indeed somewhat richer. The building was constructed at different

times and in various parts during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, and consisted of a wooden shrine over St. Olaf's grave, the church of Our Lady, and St. Clement's chapel. The nave and west end, now in ruins, were begun in 1248 by Archbishop Sigurd. The shrine of St. Olaf was a favorite pilgrimage for devout persons from all parts of Europe, and was consequently decorated with the greatest magnificence. It was plundered by the Lutherans in 1541, but the ship which carried the booty to Denmark foundered on its way. The body of the saint was removed from the shrine to the cathedral in 1568. The east end and transepts are the only parts of the cathedral on which the roofing remains, and are used for divine service. A cast of Thorwaldsen's statue of the Savior is placed over the altar, with the twelve apostles on either side. The decorations of the choir are most beautiful and elaborate, and deserve a careful examination.

The Norwegian sovereigns are always crowned in the Trondhjem cathedral, the ceremony being performed by the Bishop of Trondhjem.

The Arsenal, on the south side of the cathedral, was formerly the royal palace, and contains the old Norwegian throne.

The fortress of Munkholm stands on a small island in the centre of the fiord, opposite the city, on the site of an ancient monastery of Benedictines, founded here by Canute the Great in 1028. Political offenders were immured here for many years, but it has now ceased to be a prison, and is devoted only to purposes of defense. Travelers may leave Trondhjem for Hammerfest by steamers every Wednesday, or they may go to Hamburg by steamers, which leave every Friday, touching at Christiansund, Molde, and Aalesund on Saturday; at Bergen on Wednesday; Christiansand on Friday; and reaching Hamburg on Sunday.

ROUTE 80.-From Christiania to Molde. See Route 79 for stations as far as †Dombaas, 30 N. miles, where two roads branch off-one to Trondhjem, and one to Molde, our place of destination.

+Holaker, Holseth, and Lesje Jernvaerk (3 N. miles) are passed in turn. Excellent trout-fishing may be had in Lesje Vaerks Vand, a lake one Norsk mile in

length, from which flow two rivers, the Lougan to the southeast, and the Rauma to the northwest, forming part of the great water-chain which crosses the peninsula, and renders insular the southern part of Norway. The scenery along this route is among the grandest in Norway, and affords constant subjects for the painter's brush. The waterfalls and cascades for which this land is so celebrated are particularly numerous here, owing to the number of small tributary streams possessed by the Rauma, and which enter that river mostly with a rush and leap.

+Molmen (1 N. miles) is a good and clean station, where the best trout-fishing in the Romsdal may be had.

Before reaching the next station a horsepath is passed to the left, which leads to the Stor Fiord and Aalesund: a beautiful ̈· route, possessing the most grand and attractive scenery.

Between

+Stueflaaten (1 N. miles). here and Ormen one of the finest waterfalls on the road is passed, called Sondre Stattefos. As it lies about fifty yards from the high-road, the traveler would do well to order the post-boy to stop when the place is reached, and visit it on foot.

tOrmen (1 N. mile). From here the Storhaetten can be ascended, an undertaking which requires from five to six hours, but which will well repay any one to whom mountain-climbing is a pleasure. From the summit the Troldtinderne and Romsdalshorn may be seen to the right; in front and to the left are ranges of snowy peaks, extending from forty to fifty miles; while in the rear stretch the dreary wastes of the Dovre-Field.

+Fladmark (1 N. mile) and †Horgheim (1 N. mile) are next passed. The latter is one of the largest and most comfortable stations in Norway, and in summer contains many families, who spend the entire season here.

+Verblungsnaes (1 N. miles). Steamers run from here to Molde, and we would advise travelers to go by them, as what remains of the route would otherwise have to be done mostly by row-boat.

Carioles put on board here for Molde may be left there in case the traveler intends continuing on to Aalesund, as the same steamer performs the journey to that place

Molde is situated at the end of the Molde Fiord, near its junction with the sea. Hôtel Clubben is very good. Steamers stop here regularly every week in passing up and down the coast, and take passengers on board for all the principal ports.

From Molde the traveler may go to Trondhjem in a day and a half, and return from there to Christiania by Route 79. As there are few fast stations between Molde and Trondhjem, it will be necessary to send forbud papers in advance in order to procure the necessary horses.

Another excursion to be taken from Molde is to the Sogne Fiord, which we highly recommend on account of the beautiful scenery passed on the way. It will also be necessary to send a forbud here, as there is but one fast station, †Hangen, on the route; and it would be well to send it a long time in advance, otherwise you are liable to overtake or pass it on the road. The steamer for Bergen stops at several of the stations on this route, and obviates the necessity of returning to Molde.

ROUTE 81.-From Christiania to Stockholm by rail, via Kongsvinger, Arvika, Carlstad, and Laxa; time, 18 hours; fare, $11 75. At Laxa a junction is made with trains coming from Malmo and Gottenburg, whose passengers here change cars for Stockholm. The scenery on this road seems tame to those who have just come from the midst of the wild and rocky grandeur of the northern and western parts of Norway, but it is nevertheless extremely pretty and picturesque. The road itself is good, and the stations are excessively clean and comfortable, mostly of wood. A good dinner is to be had at Halsbergs, about an hour before reaching Laxa. Passengers from Malmo and Gottenburg reach Stockholm in about twelve hours.

SWEDEN.

Sweden occupies the eastern portion of the Scandinavian peninsula, and is bounded on the west by Norway, on the south by the Skager-rack and the Sound, and on the east by Russia, the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Baltic Sea. It is 932 miles in length, and averages 210 in breadth. Population, 3,860,000; with Norway, to which this country is united under one king, under

the title of the Kingdom of Sweden and Norway, the total population is 5,460,000.

Sweden is divided into three regions, Norrland, Sweden proper, and Gothland. The western portion of the country, bordering on Norway, embraces the eastern slopes of the Norwegian mountains, which descend on this side with a much more gradual slope, having at their base long tracts of level land, which extend over the eastern and southern portions of the country. The shores, also, of Sweden are much less irregular than those of the western part of Scandinavia, and, although there are numerous inlets, they extend a much less distance inland. Small islets also abound along the shores of the Baltic and the Gulf of Bothnia.

The rivers of Sweden are numerous, but none of them very considerable in extent. The Göta is the only one of importance that discharges its waters into the sea to the westward of the peninsula; all the others flow eastward and enter the Baltic. Of these the principal are the Dal, the Liusne, Indals, Angermann, Umea, Skelleftea, Pitea, Lulea, and Tornea.

The

The Swedish lakes are among the largest in Europe, and are very numerous. most extensive are Wener, Wetter, and Maelar, which are only surpassed by lakes Ladoga and Onega in the Russian dominions.

Sweden is very rich in mineral productions: copper and iron abound, while silver, gold, lead, cobalt, and zinc are also to be met with. Coal is only to be found iu the south. There are also several marble and porphyry quarries.

The forests, as in Norway, are of great extent, and cover over four fifths of the country. The pine, fir, birch, maple, linden, and, in the south, the oak and beech, are the principal trees.

The Lutheran is the dominant religion. History.-Sweden was in early ages occupied by the Finlanders, and subsequently conquered by the Goths, who occupied principally the southern portion of the country, to which they left their name. It was for a long time divided into numerous small and independent states, which in the 10th century were reduced to two -Sweden proper and Gothland. Olaus Skotkonung united these two in the 12th century, and was the first to bear the title of King of Sweden. The country was then

governed by kings of the race of Lodbrog, whose origin is little known, but who pretended to be descendants of Odin, the pagan god.

Christianity was introduced into Sweden as early as the 9th century by missionaries from different countries, the first of whom was St. Ansgar. Its triumph was assured by Eric the Victorious, who is said to have himself embraced the faith.

In 1389 the election to the throne of Sweden of Margaret of Waldemar, already queen of Denmark and Norway, led to the union of the three countries, which was confirmed by the union of Kalmar in 1397. Sweden was impatient of her yoke, and made many attempts to shake it off, which were all unavailing until 1523, when Gustavus Vasa, whose father had been slain in a previous insurrection, succeeded in driving out the Danes, and was elected king the same year by a meeting of the states.

During his reign the Reformation was established in Sweden, which has always since that time professed the Lutheran religion. The country was governed by Gustavus with great power and ability, its resources were developed to a wonderful extent, and he finally succeeded, in 1544, in prevailing upon the states to decree the crown hereditary in his family.

His son, Eric XIV., was utterly unlike his father, and after a stormy reign was deposed by his brother John, and made to swallow poison. He had in vain solicited the hands of Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, a princess of Hesse, and a princess of Lorraine, and ended by espousing his mistress, a peasant girl.

dominion. He ended his victorious career at the battle of Lutzen, in 1632, leaving the crown to his daughter Christina, then only six years of age. The Thirty-Years' War was terminated during her reign (1648), with great glory to Sweden; and in 1654 she abdicated in favor of her cousin, Charles X., who possessed, like his uncle, great military talents, and whose successes were only cut short by his untimely death six years after his ascension to the throne. One of the most daring military exploits on record was performed by him during the winter of 1657, when he crossed with his troops on the ice of the Great and Little Belts, and, appearing before the gates of the astonished Copenhagen, dictated peace on his own terms, and obtained possession of the provinces of Skane, Bleking, Halland, and Bohns.

Charles XI. maintained the conquests of his predecessors, and greatly increased the power of the crown. He obtained in 1680 a decree from the Diet giving him absolute power, which decree was the cause of Sweden's ruin under his son and successor, Charles XII., who succeeded to the throne in 1697.

During his minority, Russia, Denmark, and Poland combined to despoil him of many of his dominions; but their successes were of short duration. At the head of his troops he advanced from one triumph to another, until, intoxicated with success, he determined upon the conquest of Russia, which ended in a terrible defeat at Pultowa (1709), after he had nearly exhausted the resources of his dominions. He escaped from Russia into Turkey, where he remain

of Sweden's dearest possessions were wrested from her by her enemies, and he was finally assassinated during the siege of Frederickshald in 1718.

John was succeeded by his son Sigis-ed for five years, during which time many mund, whose reign was likewise of short duration, owing to his attempts to impose the Romish faith upon his people, who in 1600 forsook their allegiance and appointed Charles IX., the uncle of Sigismund and youngest son of Gustavus Vasa, to rule over them.

He was succeeded by his son, Gustavus II., the famous Gustavus Adolphus, who mounted the throne at the age of 18, and by his great abilities and military genius soon gained the admiration of all Europe. He was victorious in wars with Denmark, Russia, and Poland, and finally became the head of Protestant Europe in combating the attempts of Austria to restore the papal

At his death the despotism of the crown was abolished by the Diet, and a new constitution framed, by which the throne became elective.

Ulrica Eleanora was first elected queen under the new constitution, and during her reign peace was restored. After her resignation, in 1720, her husband, Frederick I., prince of Hesse, was elected king, during whose reign and that of his successor, Adolphus Frederick, the country was disturbed by continual wars.

Gustavus III. succeeded in 1771, and ❘ of West-Gothland; born in Stockholm, forced the Diet, with the aid of his army, February 27th, 1861. to give greater power to the crown; but the dissatisfaction caused by this ended in his assassination, at a ball in the operahouse, in 1792.

Gustavus IV. engaged in a disastrous war with France, which resulted in the dismemberment of the kingdom, and in the loss of Finland and Pomerania, two of Sweden's finest provinces. Being forced to abdicate by the Diet,

Charles XIII. ascended the throne in 1809, when a new constitution was again decreed, and the crown declared hereditary. The king, however, had no issue; and after the death of a first chosen prince-royal, Marshal Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's generals, was elected. Notwithstanding the favors which had been showered upon him by Napoleon, he joined the coalition against him in 1812, on the condition that Norway should become the spoil of Sweden, and himself conducted the Swedish troops against his benefactor.

According to agreement, Norway was allotted to Sweden in 1814, in payment for her aid in the downfall of the great emperor; and in 1818, after the death of Charles XIII., Bernadotte ascended the throne with the title of Charles XIV., and reigned until the year 1844, when he was succeeded by his son, Oscar I.

This last king was much beloved by his subjects, to whose welfare he devoted all his energies. Charles XV. succeeded in 1859, and was followed by Oscar II. in 1872.

Reigning Family.-Oscar II., Frederick, king of Sweden and Norway; born January 21st, 1829; son of King Oscar I. and of Queen Josephine Maximilienne Eugénie, daughter of Eugene Beauharnais, duke of Leuchtenburg, stepson of Napoleon I.; succeeded his brother, Charles XV., September 18th, 1872; married

Queen Sophie Wilhelmina Marianne Henrietta; born July 9th, 1836; daughter of the late William, duke of Nassau.

Sons.-1. Prince-Royal Oscar Gustave Adolphe, duke of Wermland; born at the castle of Drottningholm, June 16th, 1858.

2. Prince Oscar Charles Augustus, duke of Gothland; born at the castle of Drottningholm, November 15th, 1859.

4. Prince Eugene Napoleon Nicholas, duke of Nericia; born August 1st, 1865. Brother and Sister of the King.-1. Princess Charlotte Eugénie Augusta Amelia Albertina; born April 24th, 1830.

2. Prince Nicholas Augustus, duke of Dalecarlia; born August 24th, 1831; married April 16th, 1864, to the

Princess Theresa Amelia Caroline Josephine Antoinette, duchess of Saxony; born December 21st, 1836; daughter of the late Prince Edward of Saxe-Altenburg.

Daughter of the late King. - Princess Louise Josephine Eugénie; born October 31st, 1851; daughter of King Charles XV. and Queen Louise, princess of Orange; married at Stockholm July 28th, 1869, to Frederick William Charles, prince-royal of Denmark.

Coins.-The Swedish currency consists of rix-dollars and öres: 100 öres making one rix-dollar, and three rix-dollars and sixty öres being about equivalent to one of our dollars.

Paper currency is generally preferred throughout the country, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 rix-dollars are issued by the Bank of Sweden. These are all of different sizes and on colored paper; those on white paper belong to the old currency, whose term of exchange has expired, and they should not be accepted by the traveler. The silver pieces are of 1rix-dollar, and 50, 25, and 10 öres, and contain about 75 per cent. of pure metal; the copper pieces are of 1, 2, and 5 öres. Of the old coinage, the specie dollar =4 rixdollars, a specie dollar=2 rix-dollars, specie dollar=1 rix-dollar, specie dollar =50 öres, specie dollar=25 öres, still remain in circulation.

Measures.-10 inches make a Swedish foot=0.975 English; 10 feet make a pole, 10 poles a chain, and 360 chains make a Swedish mile, or 6 miles, 5 furlongs, 40 yards; 2 feet make an ell.

Weights. The Swedish pound = 0.93 avoirdupois, and is divided into 100 orts. One hundred pounds make a centner.

Routes.-There are several routes by which Stockholm may be reached. That from Christiania has been already mentioned (Route 81). From England the

3. Prince Oscar Charles William, duke traveler may reach Sweden directly by

« AnteriorContinuar »