SKETCHES FROM S.ETERSDAL. 217 



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expected. " How much will you give ?" is a question 

 which he will ask at every step ; and before this im- 

 portant point is decided, not an inch will he budge from 

 his pkce. 



This is a sad trait in his character, but, unfortunately, 

 too true, as every stranger who has come in contact 

 with a Saetersdal peasant will allow. The cause of this 

 disobliging and calculating spirit, which is so uncom- 

 mon generally speaking in the country, is difficult to 

 explain. It must arise from his isolated and secluded 

 position, which has given his feelings, thoughts, and 

 interests, a sort of spiral form, constantly converging 

 towards a point, which point is himself. Intercourse 

 and contact with others will probably considerably 

 ameliorate this failing. 



It were to be wished that it would also be instru- 

 mental in checking and restraining another peculiarity, 

 which obtains certainly more amongst the Saetersdal 

 peasants than any others in the country. It is their 

 abominable filthiness ! In this they certainly gain the 

 palm at all events, there are very few who approach 

 them. 



The Saetersdal peasant has an innate horror of water, 

 and washes himself (properly) only every Christmas 

 time ! On his cottage floor, which has not undergone 

 any cleansing process ever since it was laid down, his 

 pig jumps cheerfully about ; the hens sit on the shelf, 



