428 PREDESTINATION. 



and my near neighbour at Onaforss, M. Norstrom, lost, I 

 believe, eleven of his people out of less than fifty. 



Whilst the epidemic was raging the peasantry showed 

 much apathy, and pursued their usual avocations as if care- 

 less of what might happen. But this indifference to peril 

 arose in great degree from a religious feeling, or rather, 

 perhaps, from their inclining to predestination. 



Nearly in front of, and within gunshot of my residence, 

 where four roads met, stood a cottage, which during the 

 prevalence of the cholera was converted into a Dod-hus, or 

 receptacle for the dead. One Sunday several corpses were 

 lying on the ground floor of the building, waiting interment. 

 A number of people returning from church were desirous of 

 seeing the bodies ; but not being permitted to enter the 

 house, or to get a good peep through the windows, about 

 which they congregated, they actually smashed several panes 

 of glass, that they might obtain a better sight. Though 

 remonstrated with, and warned of the danger of thus coming 

 so immediately in contact with the dead, their only reply was : 

 " Om det ar Guds vilja att m skole do, sa do vi " that is, 

 " If it is the will of God we should die, we die !" 



Though surrounded by the sick and the dead, I and mine 

 escaped. As regarded the servants, this was less surprising ; 

 for knowing the feelings entertained by their class, and that 

 they were consequently just as likely to court danger as to 

 shun it, they were strictly confined to the house and garden, 

 and not allowed to communicate with any one. But even 

 when the malady was at its worst, I myself went about much 

 as usual ; often, indeed, when fishing or shooting, up to the 

 middle in water : conduct, which, being contrary to all rule, 

 would be considered by medical men as tempting Providence. 



