DRAMMEN. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] LILLEHAMMER, urns, and a collection of upward of 3000 | be obtained; but in that case a bargain Norwegian coins, beginning with the tenth should be made to go as far as Strand, century, from Hako the Good, who was otherwise the boatman will land you at educated in England by King Athelstane, Sand, and cause a delay before you are and through his aid obtained the crown of able to procure another boat. Norway. Travelers wishing to proceed from Bergen to Christiania by steamer should inquire at the office immediately after their arrival to ascertain the days of departure. ROUTE 78.- From Christiania to the Rjukanfos, via Drammen and Kongsberg. The quickest way of performing this route is by railway as far as Kongsberg; but should the traveler prefer going by cariole, his way to Drammen leads over a good road with fine views. +Drammen has a population of 15,468. Hôtel Kong Carl. This town principally consists of one long street, running for three or four miles along both sides of the river of the same name, which is crossed by a handsome bridge. Fine trout are to be caught here. From +Hangsund (14 N. miles), the first station after Drammen, the road to Kongsberg is most wretched, but the scenery is exceedingly pretty. +Kongsberg (2 N. miles) may be reached in eleven hours from Christiania by cariole, allowing about an hour at Drammen for dinner. Hotels, Scandinavian and Des Mines; both good. From here a visit should be made to the Labröfos, a fine waterfall on the Lougan, about half a Norsk mile below the town. Good salmon are to be caught in this stream. The smelting-works in this town, where specimens of silver from the neighboring mines may be seen, are interesting, but the mines themselves are hardly worth a visit. Before reaching +Lysthuus (24 N. miles), the Tindfos is passed. This most beautiful fall may be seen well from the bridge, but it would perhaps be advisable to descend to the rocks below in order to get a better view. Beyond the station the road passes the church of Hitterdal, another curious old wooden church, similar to that of Borgund, in the Byzantine-Gothic style. Tinos (3 N. miles). From here a steamer may be hired for seven specie dollars as far as Strand, on board which the carioles should be taken, to continue the route from Strand to Dal. Should the steamer be already hired, boats may also Vol. III.-H 2 Dal is reached in one hour from Strand, and two hours more on horseback will bring the traveler to the Rjnkanfos. This celebrated fall will well repay the trip from Christiania, excelling as it does in beauty every waterfall in Europe. The body of water is very great, and the height from which it descends is 600 to 700 feet. It is sometimes called the "Marie Stigen," as it was by this path that the beautiful Marie of Westfiordalen came to meet her lover after a long and cruel separation. The fates, however, were unpropitious, and in crossing the path her lover fell into the depths below, since which time the fall is believed to be haunted by the spirit of the unhappy maiden. The return to Christiania is made by the same route. ROUTE 79.-From Christiania to Trondhjem. This journey may be made in three days if the traveler be pressed for time, in which case no stay should be made at Lillehammer. The first night should be passed at Kirkestuen, the second at Jerkinn, arriving at Engen the third evening in time to catch the train to Engen. This is very hard work, however, and can only be done by very early risers. It is much better to devote six or seven days to the trip and do it comfortably. The distance from Christiania to Eidsvold (6 N. miles) is done by rail, the first-class fare being 1 sp. dol.; do. for cariole. †Lillehammer (93 N. miles), situated at the end of the Miösen Lake, is reached by a steamer which leaves Eidsvold after the arrival of the train from Christiania. Hammer's Hotel is perhaps the best. The walks in the vicinity of Lillehammer are very fine, and would repay a short stay. There is a very pretty waterfall about a quarter of a mile from the town. From Lillehammer to †Listad (51 N. miles), passing through the stations Holmen, †Kirkestuen, and †Skjoeggestad, the road is good, but the scenery is in no way remarkable. Between 819 LISTAD. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] TRONDHJEM. 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 (34 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 tRise (1 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. +Ovne (N. mile). Here the road branches off to Christiansund, or continues on to Streen (1 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 TRONDHJEM. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] VERBLUNGSNAES, 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, tho 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. +Stueflaaten (1 N. miles). Between 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 SWEDEN. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] 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 jeast by Russia, the Gulf of Bothnia, and ithe Baltic Sea. It is 932 miles in length, mod averages 210 in breadth. Population, of the 000; with Norway, to which this twelve is united under one king, under HISTORY. 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 HISTORY. [DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN.] 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. John was succeeded by his son Sigismund, 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 HISTORY. 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 remained for five years, during which time many of Sweden's dearest possessions were wrested from her by her enemies, and he was finally assassinated during the siege of Frederickshald in 1718. 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. |