The A U T H O R's P R E F A C E. ix 



quently, in provinces full of mountains, rocks, grottos, fubterra- 

 neous cavities, and minerals* the fpeculative mind is entertained 

 with many Rich natural phenomena, as are not to be found in 

 other parts. 



This obfervation of M. Lancellot, is entirely applicable to 

 Norway, and more efpecially to that part where providence has 

 been pleafed to fettle me, which, according to its name, almofr. 

 wholly confines of mountains, in which, few parts of Europe can 

 be compared to it, and confequently, according to the above ob- 

 fervation, few contain more remarkable naturalia. Even Norwe- 

 gians themfelves, who refort hither from the other provinces, 

 imagine themfelves in a foreign country, not only on account of 

 the continual high mountains they meet with;, but in reipect of 

 the different and very unwholfom air iffuing from off the fea 

 and fettling between the mountains, from whence it cannot eafily 

 be diflipated. 



But Norway, considered in general, in the fingularia nature et 

 providential, furpaffes moft countries, and not only in its inani- 

 mate treafures, fuch as metals, minerals, and vegetables, but in 

 the various kinds of beafts, birds, and fifties ; and particularly of 

 the laft, fcarce any parts of the univerfe afford fuch a diveriity 

 and abundance. But thefe fuperior advantages are not eftimated 

 as fuch by the inhabitants, who daily enjoy, and therefore are too 

 apt to difregard them. Foreigners feldom vifit us, unlefs they 

 are feamen and merchants ; and thefe have little elfe in view than 

 • the lucre of their profeiTions. Northward of us the people are 

 too unpoiifhed to encourage a traveller to take the tour of the 

 country, which hath been the 'means of clearing up the natural 

 hiftory of other countries. 



On this very account it feems the more expedient, that fuch 

 of our Danifh nobility, and of our literary youth, who travel at 

 a very great expence to vifit foreign countries, fhould be firft 

 obliged to take, at lead, a half year's tour through this kingdom* 

 which is fo clofely united with Denmark. If the travels of 



PartL c thefe 



