256 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



eastern parts of the country, the principal staple of 

 wealth yet all these, when compared to the employ- 

 ment the sea affords to their industry, occupy but a 

 subordinate position in their national activities. 



In olden tunes, when peaceful avocations were held 

 in disdain, a sea-roving life, for which the peculiar for- 

 mation of the western coast was extremely well adapted, 

 was in high esteem ; and there were few of the maritime 

 countries of Europe but which suffered severely at the 

 hands of the piratical Vikings. 



During the dark and gloomy winters the heroes used 

 to assemble in the banqueting-hall, while the " skjald," 

 or bard, struck the lyre and sang of the glorious deeds 

 of their forefathers. But as soon as summer returned 

 they started off again anew, spreading terror and alarm 

 through our own country, the Netherlands, France, and 

 Spain, and indeed wherever anything was to be had. 

 And even when kid to his last long sleep, provided that 

 he died at home, the Viking was scarcely disunited 

 from his favourite element, on which by far the greater 

 portion of his life had been passed ; for his men would 

 bury him close to the sea-shore, together with his 

 vessel, beneath a lofty tumulus. 



Still, commerce was not entirely repudiated, for many 

 old Arabic coins bear testimony to the commercial 

 relations that existed between Scandinavia and eastern 

 countries. 



