LAKE MJOSEN. 109 



ginning of May, at a place a few English miles distant 

 from Christiania. Bids void, mentioned above, is the 

 place where the ancient " Thing," or Parliament, was 

 held. Here, also, in 1814 was drawn up the present 

 Norwegian " grund-lov/' or constitution, which has 

 worked very well up to the present time, and has given 

 to the hardy Norsemen more liberty than is enjoyed by 

 any other nation, the English only excepted. Near 

 Eidsvold flows the Vormen river, which connects Lake 

 Mjosen with the river Glommen. To Eidsvold-bakken 

 comes the timber from Hedemarken, Thoten, and 

 southern Gudbrandsdalen, whence it is now conveyed 

 from Eidsvold to Christiania by the railway, to be 

 stored and sent afterwards to other countries. At 

 Lille Strom mens, on this line of railway, is a station 

 for a junction line leading to Kongsvinger, celebrated 

 for its beautiful scenery. In its vicinity is a castle, 

 the scene of two engagements which occurred between 

 the Norwegians and Swedes in 1808 and 1814, when, 

 according to Norwegian accounts, the Swedes suffered 

 a defeat on both occasions. By a singular coincidence 

 the Swedes were commanded at both battles by the 

 same luckless general. 



Lake Mjosen, the largest inland sea in Norway, is 

 situated in the neighbourhood of Eidsvold. It is about 

 sixty English miles in length by about seven in breadth. 

 It is said to resemble Lake Como in Italy. Good 

 grayling-fishing may be had at Minde and near Eids- 

 vold, at either end of the lake. There is also good 

 wildfowl shooting on some parts of the lake. 



The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) is frequently seen 

 in summer in Finmark ; when migrating in autumn 

 to warmer climes, it visits Christiania. " At a dis- 



