x.] TOUR IN NORWAY, 1851. 347 



Descending the Sor-fiord to the Hardanger-fiord, of 

 which it forms a branch, they proceeded northwards 

 through moorland and forests, to the Sogne-fiord, which 

 cuts deeply into the rock-bound coast about fifty miles 

 above Bergen. 



* The arrival at Gudvangen takes one by surprise. The 

 walls of the ravine are uninterrupted ; only the alluvial flat 

 gives place to the unruffled and nearly fresh waters of this 

 ami of the sea, which reaches the door of the inn. After 

 dining and procuring a boat and three excellent rowers, we 

 d to the navigation of the extensive Sogne-fiord, 

 of which the Narce-fiord, on which we now were, is one of 

 the many intricate ramifications. The weather, which had 

 fortunately cleared up for a time, was now again menacing, 

 and a slight rain had set in when we embarked. The 

 clouds continued to descend, and settled at length on the 

 summits of the unscaleable precipices which for many 

 miles bound this most desolate and even terrific scene. I 

 do not know what accidental circumstances may have 

 contributed to the impression, but I have seldom felt 

 the sense of solitude and isolation so overwhelming. 

 My companion had fallen into a deep sleep ; the air 

 was still damp and calm : the oars plashed, with a slow 

 sore, into the deep black fathomless abyss of water 

 .v, which was bounded on either side by absolute walls 

 of rock, without, in general, the smallest slope of debris 

 at the foot, or space enough anywhere for a goat to stand; 

 and whose tops, high as they indeed are, seemed higher 

 liv In ing lost in clouds which formed, as it were, a level 

 -in >{M.nding to the watery floor beneath. 

 Thus -hut in above, below, and on either hand, we rowed 

 on amidM tin- increasing gloom and thickening rain, 

 till it 1 reli.-f \\hrii we entered on the wider, 



i;jli Mill gloomy, Aurlands-fiord, in which the sea had 

 a more natural and a^itaied aj]eara: 



Bef< i ,ining his jOIUIleY to Christiania, Forbes 



i rland and .luMedab the former 



|in nted fiord branching oil' from the 



these the most remarkable was the 



