330 Noi^ivay and I lie Norzvegians 



might be cited as a proof tliat the pastors do not do their 

 duty by the people ; but there are many quasi-acci- 

 dental circumstances in Norwegian social life which 

 tend towards a low standard of morality, and cause 

 the large number of illegitimate births which mark the 

 social life of the country districts. 



Free compulsory education obtains in Norway ; but 

 it does not begin from such an early age as in Eng- 

 land ; in fact, it begins at a later age than in almost 

 any other European country, namely, at eight years. 

 The reason for beginning it so late is no doubt the 

 difticulty which children have in attending school, 

 the distances they have to walk, etc., — owing to the 

 sparseness of the population. Parents are allowed to 

 send their children at seven, if they choose. The limit 

 at the other end is later than with us, and with most 

 other countries. It is made by the Confirmation, and 

 this, in Norway, generally takes place at the age of 

 fifteen. 



The free public schools are, of course, under State 

 inspection. There are other schools which are not free. 

 Some of these are also State foundations ; some have 

 been founded by the townships ; and some are kept 

 by private persons. The masters of these private 

 schools are not obliged to obtain a licence to teach, nor 

 to undergo any examination by the State ; but, on the 

 other hand, the children instructed at these private 

 schools periodically undergo government inspection, 

 and, if the education they receive is not up to the 

 proper standard, the parents can be forced to send their 

 children to one of the public schools. If they choose 



