ATTE-STUPA. 19 



upright on the green sward, where, in former times, judg- 

 ment was administered. 



And immediately beyond the Domare-Ring, is a mural 

 precipice of from two to three hundred feet in height, called 

 the " Atte-Stupa,"* from the summit of which, according to 

 tradition, the infirm, the " utlefvade," or those who had out- 

 lived their powers, and those who were weary of life, were 

 accustomed in crowds, and after feasting and drinking, to 

 cast themselves headlong ; for, according to the creed of their 

 great hero and lawgiver Odin, by thus committing suicide, 

 they qualified themselves to enter into the joys of Val- 

 halla ! 



And at the foot of Halleberg, moreover, though at some 

 distance from the Domare-Ring, a spring is pointed out, 

 which in bygone days was looked upon as holy, and by the 

 peasants, is still supposed to retain its pristine virtues ; as an 

 evidence of which, hundreds of people, even in my time, 

 flocked to it every Midsummer Eve, to quaff of its healing 

 waters. 



According to the belief of the superstitious, ancient as well 

 as modern, giants have at all times existed in Scandinavia ; 

 and many stories are recorded of their exploits. But, inde- 

 pendently of fabulous beings, it would really seem by the 

 accompanying document, the truth of which can hardly be 

 called in question, that veritable giants perfect Goliahs in 

 their way were at times to be found in the peninsula. 



" When, in the year 1763," so runs the document, "the 

 ground was dug for the enlargement of Nas Church, (within 

 eight or nine miles of Ronnum,) which is situated on a large 



* The accompanying sketch, kindly depicted for me by my friend, Colonel 

 Ehrengranat, represents the Domare-Ring and the Atte-Stupa. 



c 2 



