THE NORTH SWEDISH PROVINCES 143 



* A mile from Elf-Carleby are the iron- works called 

 Harnas. The ore is brought from Dannemora and from 

 Engsio in Sudermania. Here runs the river which 

 divides the provinces of Upland and Gestrickland. 

 The post-houses or inns were dreadfully bad. The 

 forests became more hilly and stony, white and dark 

 granite ; the rose-willow abounded. Near Gefle stands 

 a runic monumental stone, rather more legible than 

 usual, and on that account better taken care of. By 

 eleven o'clock I arrived at Gefle, where I was obliged to 

 stay all day, for it was evening before I received from 

 the governor of the province of Gestrickland the requi- 

 site passport ; owing to which delay and my attending 

 morning service next day at Gefle church, I could not 

 quit that place till one o'clock.' 



Gefle, with 7,000 inhabitants, is now one of the 

 principal seaport towns of Sweden ; well-built and 

 clean, with neat granite quays, and substantial modern 

 appearance. 



' At this town is the last apothecary's shop, and 

 also the last physician in the province: these are not 

 to be met with further north. The river is navigable 

 through the town. The surrounding country abounds 

 with large red stones. Here begins a ridge of hills, ex- 

 tending to the next post-house, three-quarters of a mile ' 

 [S.] c further, separating two lakes. In the marshes 

 to the left the note of the snipe was heard continually ; 

 on the right are the mineral springs of Hille. Troye 

 post-house, which Professor Rudbeck the elder used to 



