WEXIO 35 



the water so clear, the opposite shore reflections so soft, 

 exquisitely tender as the parent's heart. Young Carl, 

 though he cared less for fish than for any branch of 

 natural history, was yet interested in the unprofitable 

 fishing of the men and boys from the turfy bank. The 

 fish themselves had unsuccessful sport ; it was equally 

 amusing to see the numerous fish leaping up at the 

 swarms of gnats above the lake, and the way the gnats 

 darted away and escaped. 



The Linnaei took their evening meal together, in a 

 garden overlooking the lake (one can enjoy this even in 

 Sweden on May 28), while watching the moon (at 8.20) 

 rising white, dim, spectral, above the lake out of the 

 mist not silver, only just a dead white, gradually (at 

 8.45) becoming more normal in brightness. 



The inhabitants of Wexio come out to wander up 

 and down in the cool sweet air. The women affect 

 fawn colour and rosy-pink, and brick-scarlet cottons 

 over their ordinary grey-blue woollen clothes; these 

 contrasts have a pleasing effect in the landscape. They 

 wear white or pink kerchiefs on their heads ; otherwise 

 there is no especial costume in this part of Sweden. 

 This kerchief is the national head-dress ; it is worn of 

 black silk or cashmere edged with lace on best occasions. 

 All this town gaiety, which at another time would have 

 been so brilliant and dazzling to the country-bred lad, 

 loses its charm this evening while he clings to his father 

 as the time of parting draws near. 



Andres Celsius of Upsala had not yet invented his 



