468 NOTES OF A VOYAGE TO 



with " schnaps," in the form of ham, salt beef, dried sahnon, 

 &c, &c., with wines, spirits, and hqueurs. After every one 

 had taken something to eat and drink, and most of our visitors 

 had smoked a pipe, we adjourned to the ladies, whom we found 

 seated round the ball-room, awaiting our arrival. 



Dancing immediately commenced, and was kept up with 

 great spirit for twelve hours. Waltzes and country dances 

 were the favourites. A quadrille was indeed attempted, out of 

 compliment to us, but it turned out a decided failure. Our 

 orchestra, consisting of three violins, was not the best in the 

 world, but it served the purpose. Refreshments were from 

 time to time handed round to the ladies, while the gentlemen 

 paid not unfrequent visits to the refreshment room, for 

 another whiff at their pipes, or to discuss some of the good 

 things, amongst which, excellent but very potent rum punch 

 was not the least conspicuous. 



The ladies, although inhabiting so northern and remote a 

 region, certainly would not have discredited the ball-rooms of 

 more favoured countries. Some of them were distinguished for 

 personal beauty, and I could not help agreeing with a remark'^ 

 which my friend Forbes made, in reference to a more southern 

 point of Norway, that " the ladies of Norway are decidedly 

 well worthy the attention of the naturalist." 



What appeared most strange to us was, that the whole 

 affair took place by broad daylight. At six o'clock our 

 visitors began to depart, but not before we had received the 

 thanks of the party, for one of the most distingue assemblies 

 that had ever been given in Hammerfest. The number 

 present was between sixty and seventy, and the whole ex- 

 pense, including refreshments, hire of room, musicians, &c. &c. 

 did not exceed 10/. 



23(1. — After a few hours' sleep we went on shore to make 

 our farewell visits to our partners of the preceding evening. 

 Having performed this duty, and got on board various furs, 

 &c., which we had purchased, we weighed anchor in the even- 

 ing, and with a light breeze left this hospitable place. Some 

 of our fair friends, stationed on an elevated spot near the 

 church, waved their adieus as we passed down the bay, and we 



^ Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. viii. p. 250. 



