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the others crossing the passes at considerable elevation, and 
only being traversed during the summer months. The history 
and political relations of the country were next described, Mr. 
Doxey expressing regret that Kashmir was not an integral part 
of the Queen’s dominions. The Maharajah was, to a large 
extent, independent of the British Government, but in matters 
of trade had opened negotiations with us to a good purpose. 
The people were much crushed down by oppression and 
taxes, and though the Kashmirs were a fine race of men 
physically, yet they were mean and cowardly, the result probably 
of their having been in a sort of abject slavery for so many ages. 
It had been said that never had nature in such beauty looked 
upon men in such misery. The customs and dress of the people 
were pourtrayed, and matters relating to their religion and 
occupation were dwelt upon, and sundry anecdotes were related 
illustrating the different points in the paper. 
MOUNTAINEERING IN NORWAY. 
By W. CECIL SLINGSBY, February 5th, 1884. 
Mr. Slingsby introduced his subject by a reference to the 
character of Norwegian scenery, the comparative neglect of the 
mountains, the lack of efficient guides, and the false opinion 
that prevails among the tourists who have visited the country 
that there are no peaks there such as the Swiss mountains 
present, ‘As my name has,” said he, “ been perhaps more 
associated with Skagastélstind than with any other mountain in 
Norway, I will give you a brief outline of its history and its first 
ascent. This mountain, for very many years, was looked upon 
as being the culminating point of Scandinavia, and, indeed, of 
Northern Europe, and was shown to me as such. Recently, 
Galdhoéppigen, and two or three other peaks, have been found 
to be a trifle higher, though not nearly so fine mountains. 
Skagastélstind is the highest and the sharpest of a group 
of glorious aiguilles which form the Horungtinder range, near 
the head of the Sogne Fjord.” After detailing his previous 
reconnaissances and approaches to the mountain, Mr. Slingsby 
proceeded to the account of the ascent. 
** On the evening of July 20th, 1876, my friend, Herr Mohn, 
who is a most enthusiastic mountaineer, a reindeer hunter called 
Knut Lykken, in some respects a first-rate man, and I, reached 
the seter or summer cheese-making farm of Vormelid, at the 
bottom of the Utla gorge. We had done some good work that 
day, and had made the first ascent of a very fine mountain, upon 
