210 VISIT TO DENMARK [1799. 



was all frozen, and the shipping laid up, hut the com- 

 merce is very considerable, almost wholly with Eng- 

 land in deals and iron. The castle commands the 

 town completely, stands very high upon huge rocks, 

 and is formed of fine stone works, absolutely im- 

 pregnable on the side of the town, and commanding 

 the neighbouring hills, which are indeed inconsider- 

 able heights. The inn was wretched, and the charge 

 most exorbitant, being 6 rix-dollars for two nights 

 breakfast and bed. It has a good view of the water 

 among rocky heights ; on these people were skating 

 and driving traineaux to a great distance. Mr Nils 

 Anker calling, we after dressing returned his visit, 

 and were taken by him to Mr Dank, junior's, where 

 we dined with a very large and elegant party, among 

 whom the Governor-General Mansback, some officers, 

 and all the principal natives no ladies except the 

 mistress of the house. "We were amused with the 

 custom of drinking thanks after dinner, which runs 

 round the table. " Tank, tank," " tank for mit " 

 (thanks for meat). After coffee went to a private 

 play, where all the ladies and gentlemen of the place 

 were assembled. The theatre was very small, and a 

 sort of makeshift the play a Danish translation of 

 Kotzebue's ( Brothers/ and acted in general ill ; but 

 one actor played very decently, and the company 

 seemed much pleased. After the play some of the 

 men retired to billiards and smoking, and the theatre 

 was immediately cleared into a ball and sandwich 

 room, where waltzing and eating went on till four in 



