126 Gymnaxium, Library, Military Academy ^ in Chrislian/u. 



fruitlessly, demanded by the Norwegians, as a literary centre in 



the interior of a remote kingdom, which constitutes more than a 

 third part of the whole monarciiv. The school, which is situated 

 ill the best part of the town, is a large biiilding, and has a ^erious 

 and dignified external appearance, it contains, besides the 

 rooms adapted for tuition, several collections, whicii are not very 

 distinguisl'.ed, and the library, which is not more oinamental 

 than useful and profitable to the town. This library is open to 

 the citizens, and contains perhaps not many rare, but a num- 

 ber of useful works. It owed its origin chiefly to the collection 

 o." Chancellor Deichmann, who died about twenty years ago, nr,d 

 who distinguished himself by his Avorks on the modern history of 

 Norway. This patriotic individual, bequeatlied his libr.iry to the 

 town of Christiania, well judging that it woidd there be pro- 

 ductive of the greatest benefit. In the same spirit several other 

 more recent libraries have been incorporated with it, for whiv 

 they are partly indebted to an Ancker; and they now contini 

 utnemittingly to procure the most important productions of the 

 German and Danish press, so far as the school-funds, which £.re 

 by no means scanty, will allow them. How few towns of the 

 .same extent, or in the same situation, can congratulate theiri- 

 selves on such a library ! And as it is not suffered to remain 

 idle, we can hardly doubt that it will greatly contribute to the ' 

 diffusion of knowledge. 



The excellent Military Academy, which directly fronts the 

 school-house, is an object no less remarkalde. It is certainly 

 OTIC of the best institutions in the Danish stale, and has been the 

 means of supplying the Danish army with a great number of 

 useful and accoinplis/hed officers. It is a pleasant sight to see 

 the hundred cadets, who generally receive an education here, 

 cither assembled together, or in the streets. Their vivacity, 

 their blooming complexions, and their dignified behaviour, dispel 

 at once every idea of constraint ; and we soon see when we enter 

 the building that it is a much nobler institution than similar 

 schools for cadets generally are : vet the institution is almost 

 wholly supported by the contributions of wealthy individuals. 

 The academy is indebted for the house (an elegant little palace, 

 and perhaps the most beautiful in the town,) to the liberality of 

 the Ancker family, by whom it v/as formerly inhabited ; their 

 instruments an«l books are legacies ; and only two years ago 

 it received from the Chamberlain, Peder Ancker, the rich library | 

 and instruments which devolved to him on the death of his bro- 

 ther Berndt Ancker. Bv these moans they have been enabled 

 from a mathematical school, which was the origin of the insti- 

 tution, to convert it into an academy, in which the young officers,! 

 besides the mathematical sciences and drawing, are diligently 



instructed! 



