CHAPTER XXII. 



. Classical Uround. The Vikin^iv. - -Their Kxplc.it*. Thf 

 J)yr-hus. Tlie Biuita-sten. The Douum- Kinu'. lliillri>tnin-. 

 Their Antiquity. Historical Documents. The Elf Oi v 



(OIIUS-LAN, the government in which the town of 

 Gothenburg is situated, is perhaps the most classic 

 portion of Scandinavia. Formerly, and prior to its 

 forming an integral part of Sweden, it pertained to 

 Norway or Denmark, and is remarkable in history as 

 having been the scene of manv bloodv battles between 



* 



the monarehs of these several countries, who all in 4urn 

 contended for its sovereignty ; as also for having been the 

 Htamhull,i.e. head-quarters, of the rikht</<tr,m sea-kings, 

 who a thousand or twelve hundred years ago made them- 

 selves so famous by their marauding expeditions. From 

 hence and the adjoining islands, indeed, issued many of 

 those formidable armaments which carried tire and sword 

 to almost every known country in the world. To the 

 antiquary, more especially, this province cannot but he 

 deeply interesting. Ancient feudal castles, the abodes of 

 these; desperadoes, no longer exist, it is true, and even 

 the ruins of the structures, \\hich lie tar bet \\een, are so 



