80 Prof. Hausmann on the Physiognomy of Scandinavia. 



influence upon the peculiar character of the Swedish landscapes. 

 The uniformity which these acquire from the widely spread pine 

 forests, is varied by the numerous lakes which these enclose. 

 But sincere and happy tranquillity reigns in those valleys, in 

 which the deep blue lakes are surrounded by dark green woods, 

 out of which there occasionally rises a pillar of smoke from 

 some solitary cottage : And amidst the hollow forest murmurs, 

 we hear the harmonious tinkling of the distant bells of the cattle 

 grazing upon the mountain meadows. 



Journeying in the swift rolling karra, * along the excellently 

 formed roads which lead down the declivities of the moun- 

 tains, and then along the winding margin of a lake, the tra- 

 veller finds himself transported into a quite different scene. 

 The lake, which before had a considerable breadth, gradually 

 contracts itself. The lately gentle declivities become more 

 steep. Out of thick woods we see rocky masses burst into 

 view ; always increasing in height, and overhanging the way, 

 which they confine more and more. At last the lake withdraws 

 itself entirely from view ; and a narrow rocky valley, in which a 

 forest stream foams along, guides the traveller on his course. 

 Now, at intervals, the hollow sound of a large hammer, moved 

 by water-power for working iron, reaches his ear. Soon after 

 this the fire of a forge shines through the dark fir boughs ; 

 and, amidst the rushing sound of the water, which moves the 

 wheel, is heard the thundering blow of the hammer, which 

 works the iron. In this workshop of Tubalcain, all is life, ac- 

 tivity, and restlessness ; the impression of which contrasts pow- 

 erfully with that produced by the scene which had shortly 

 preceded it. 



Sweden so abounds in similar contrasts, that a journey 

 through this country must necessarily be very interesting. 

 Although nature there in individual scenes may^ appear uni- 

 form, and but seldom with lovely features ; still, on the con- 

 trary, her general exterior is in the highest degree impressive 

 and noble, -f* The beauty and sublimity of nature are found 



• A ligbt, two wheeled carriage, in which it is usual to travel In Sweden. 



f If the nature of the Equatorial Regions is distinguished by grandeur and 

 variety of formation, the nature of the Polar liegions, on the contrary, unites 

 greatness and simplicity. This uniformity does not appear, in an equal de- 



