2 * RENT AND FURNITURE. 



on the high road leading from Gothenburg to Wenersborg, 

 and at about three miles from the latter town. It was 

 very beautifully situated. In front, the country was pic- 

 turesque, whilst at some three hundred to four hundred 

 paces in the rear flowed the River Gotha, here a wide 

 stream, of which the house commanded a splendid view. 

 The property was well wooded, and many fine oaks adorned 

 the park-like grounds that surrounded the house. Take 

 Ronnum altogether, there are not many more beautiful spots 

 in the midland or southern parts of Sweden. 



The house contained fourteen or fifteen rooms, and might 

 therefore be almost called a mansion. A tolerably large 

 garden, and some considerable fishing rights, were attached 

 to it ; and for the whole, independently of taxes, &c., 

 which only amounted to a few shillings, I paid little more 

 than ten pounds annually ! This will give an idea of the 

 very economical terms on which, as often happens when the 

 proprietor of the estate is non-resident, one may rent an 

 unfurnished house in the rural districts of Sweden. 



But furniture in that country provided a man, as with 

 myself, be satisfied with that of a homely kind is not a 

 very expensive affair. It was not so to me at least; for 

 on taking possession, I supplied myself with everything 

 requisite at a most reasonable outlay. Chairs, for instance, 

 cost me about three shillings the dozen ; large folding 

 dining-tables, at three to four shillings each ; a chest of 

 drawers about the same sum, and everything else in pro- 

 portion. But though well enough made, they were of simple 

 deal, and purchased besides in Gothenburg, where such 

 articles, manufactured by the neighbouring peasantry at their 

 leisure hours, are much cheaper than in the rural districts. 



