70 proceedings: anthropological society 



at the end of the Stone Age, considerable advancement in culture had 

 been made, and during the Bronze Age the decorative instinct of the 

 people found expression in works of art unsurpassed elsewhere in Europe 

 at that period. Later the Hallstatt and La Tene civilizations made their 

 influence felt and finally, about the beginning of the Christian Era, 

 Roman culture became the predominant foreign influence. An exten- 

 sive trade developed with the western world during the following cen- 

 turies, and many remains of this intei'course are found in Sweden and 

 Denmark. 



The most important period historically is the so-called Viking Age, 

 800-1000 A.D. Wonderful progress had been made in shipping and 

 navigation. Fleets of the Viking ships appeared on almost every 

 shore. The bold sailors sacked cities on the Mediterranean and Black 

 Seas, ruled Ireland for generations, and conquered parts of France, 

 England, and Spain; they founded Russia, and settled colonies in 

 America and numerous other places. Finally Christianity was introduced 

 and the Scandinavians settled down to a life of peaceful toil. The 

 mental and spiritual reaction following the Viking expeditions was in- 

 tense. A prose literature grew up, especially in L-eland. This was the 

 most remarkable in Europe at the time and was the only original prose 

 of the Germanic race. With it was coupled a poetiy no less important. 

 This art died, however, at about the time when distinct Scandinavian 

 nationalities began to develop, and from the twelfth century onward we 

 find long stretches of time nearly void of mental activity. 



From this period Sweden began to lead a more separate life, but Den- 

 mark and Norway were gradually drawn closer together until the latter 

 country nearly lost its identity. Denmark was the leading power of the 

 north until the appearance of Gustavus Adolphus. Then Sweden 

 acquired the supremacy. Through the supreme ability of her leaders she 

 changed the coui'se of European history and for more than a century 

 played the I'ole of a great power. In modern times Sweden has pro- 

 duced leading scientists, created a rich literature, and developed large 

 industrial establishments. 



After 1644 Denmark was weakened from time to time b}' the cur- 

 tailment of her territory until in 1864 she was reduced to her present 

 area. In the fields of science, letters, and art, however, she can point 

 to brilliant achievements. Norwaj^ paid the price of dependency- for 

 many generations, and not until her separation from Denmark can we 

 speak of a worthy Norwegian literature. But in the last century the 

 leadership of the drama belongs to her, and in many lines of achieve- 

 ment some of her names rank among the fii'st. 



The 518th meeting of the Society was held in the Lecture Hall of the 

 Public Library, on Tuesday, December 18, 1917, at 8 p.m. On this 

 occasion Dr. Daniel Folkmar, LT. S. Tariff Commission, delivered a 

 lecture on Japan: people and policies, illustrated by numerous lantern 

 slides. 



Dr. Folkmar opened his address by asking "Who are the Japanese? 

 Are they as closely related to the Chinese as many Americans think, or 



