II. NORWAY. 



I ENTERED Norway at Christiansand, and proceeded thence by 

 Norwegian steamer to Christiania. I arrived about 6 a.m., and as the 

 steamer, of which there are one or more sailing every day, had left 

 three hours before, I had the day at my disposal, and walked first to 

 the cemetery, and after breakfast returning thither I rambled about on 

 the lovers' walk, extending over miles of well-kept footpaths, winding 

 about interminably upon rocks and rising ground lo the left of the land 

 as you approach by sea; and I found some of the views of the Fiord, and 

 of adjacent fiords, dotted with islands, exceedingly beautiful. After 

 dinner I took a sail by smaller steamer up the Torristal river, returning 

 by seven p.m. This little voyage, a similar one up the Topptal river, and 

 one which would have taken me out in the fiords, were all recommended 

 to me. My choice was made capriciously. I believe, from what I was 

 told, that I would have found either of the others equally pleasant, but 

 different. I found my morning ramble and my afternoon trip together 

 a good preparation for visiting more extensively the beautiful and 

 romantic scenery of Norway. On my return voyage on the Torristal 

 river I met with a timber merchant, who had that day completed the 

 purchase of a ship-load of wood which was still growing in the forest, 

 and who courteously and frankly informed me in regard to the transaction. 

 The farmer, a small landed proprietor, had engaged, on the terms 

 agreed to, to fell, prune, and deliver in the river the quantity of wood 

 required in logs of a specified average length and girth. All the 

 debris remained his property, and might be cut up for firewood and 

 used or sold, or otherwise disposed of as he might please. And the 

 logs would be, when delivered and accepted, floated down to Christian- 

 sand and shipped by the purchaser. 



I have used the expression farmer or small landed proprietor, for 

 such is the character of most of the inhabitants of this district. The 

 banks of the Topptal river are dotted with houses and mansions, which 

 speak of greater wealth or more extensive possessions ; and many of 

 the farmers are dependent on the cutting and sale of wood to enable 

 them to pay their rent. The logs I found to be of but limited dimen- 

 sions, and I asked the timber merchant if the exploitation adopted did 



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