42 SIR VICTOR BROOKE CHAP. 



with my first glimpse of the object of my journey ; 

 wildness in the extreme was the prevailing feature 

 in the scenery, rocky islands covered with heath ; 

 the air was delightfully clear, and everything looked 

 quiet and still ; in fact, one of the most striking 

 features about Norway is the stillness of the mountains 

 and forests. Fredericksberg is a lovely spot, situated 

 at the western entrance of the Christiania Fjord ; 

 the scenery is splendid, the mountains running all in 

 gentle slopes, never exceeding I ooo feet, are covered 

 with forest, chiefly pine the wood begins right from 

 the water's edge. . . . The islands are numerous, 

 but so blended with the mainland that it is almost 

 impossible to detect them. This, of course, takes 

 greatly from the effect. If the islands were more 

 detached, parts of the Fjord would much resemble 

 the upper Lake of Killarney. 



At the time Victor Brooke was in Norway there was 

 only a small piece of railway open from Christiania to 

 Eidsvold, and the rest of his journey was done by 

 steamer and carriole to Lillehammer, Lechervark, and 

 Dumboas, where he turned off the Throndhjem road to 

 the sea at Romsdal. Of the valley running down to 

 the Fjord he speaks as being " the finest thing he ever 

 saw ; the mountains rising in sheer precipices to the 

 height of 4000 and 5000 feet, and topped by craggy 

 peaks covered with eternal snow." 



Returning to the main road, he describes his first 

 view of Sneehatten, and determination to make the 

 first ascent that year. The feat in itself was not 

 remarkable, but deserving of notice for the endurance 

 displayed and determination of character in one so 

 young. There is no doubt that his experiences in 

 Switzerland and in Norway in relation to mountain- 

 climbing, particularly his gruesome adventure in the 



