42 NATURAL H I S T O R Y of NO RWAT. 



Barometer; for the levels on the fide of the mountain, according 

 to Peter Undalin's Defcription of Norway, in one place reach 

 eighteen Norway miles, and in another twelve; and the road is fo 

 winding, that in the winter-road, one meets no lefs than nine 

 times with the river called Drivaae, which winds in a ferpentine 

 form along the fide of the mountain. The bridges acrofs this river 

 make a dangerous appearance, as they are laid over roaring ca- 

 taracts, or waterfalls, and but indifferently fattened to the fteep 

 rocks, which deters the better fort of travellers from chufing this 

 road, tho' the fhorteft. The road over Filefield is the only one 

 I am acquainted with from my own experience. This is a tedious 

 afcent, thro' many windings, from Laerdale to the fummit of the 

 mountain, of about fix Norway miles and a half, which in a per- 

 pendicular height towards Laerdale, may be computed at half a 

 Norway mile, or 9000 ells. A proof, among others, of the great 

 elevation of this mountain above the horizon of the champaign 

 country, is the change from heat to cold, which within a few 

 hours becomes fo fenfible, that the traveller may very well fup- 

 pofe himfelf fuddenly tranfported from a hot fummer to a piercing 

 winter. I croffed it on the 28th of May 1749, having the 

 day before, at my leaving Laerdale, obferved the barley to be in 

 fome forwardnefs, and in the narrow vallies thereabouts, the heat 

 was fo fultry that at noon I was obliged to fhelter myfelf at 

 Borgen chapel : But after a few hours progrefs farther up the 

 mountain of Filefield, I found myfelf rifmg as it were into the 

 upper region of the air, towards the pure and fubtle aether, and 

 as much in the depth of winter as if it had been new-year's day; 

 furrounded with fnow and ice, which were the more painful to 

 the eyes, as having fo lately enjoyed the pleafing verdure of the 

 fields and woods. The fun fhone out very bright, but with fo 

 little heat, that tho' it was within three weeks of midfummer, 

 all the waters, and particularly the frefh- water lake there, called 

 Utreen, were frozen. I was very defirous of returning, being diffi- 

 dent of the affurances of my guides, that the ice would bear; for 

 as the fnow-water lay upon it, I apprehended it might give way: 

 However, I got over in my fledge-chaife, which, as is here cuf- 

 tomary, was drawn by peafants, and not by horfes. 



Another 



