Natural history of NORtvAT, 



marrying their children very advantageously, by ftanding upon 

 their blood and birth. And if a thing once appears in the eyes 

 of a Norwegian, either honourable or fhameful, he does not he- 

 fitate a moment which to choofe. For they are fond of being 

 refpected and honoured to the-higheft degree, and the great com- 

 plaifance, as I have before obferved, which they mow to others, 

 is not without a view of being paid again in the fame coin. Their 

 ambition was known to old king Hagen, who, according to 

 Mathew Paris, was much preiTed by the king of France, to let 

 his troops (which were deftined for the holy war) join the French 

 army; but he rejected it, faying, that each of the two nations was 

 too proud to live in harmony together. The faid writer was the 

 legate that brought the letter to the king, and according to his 

 own account had this anfwer from his Norvegian majefty. 



" Grates refero copiofas piiilimo Dom. Regi Francorum, qui 

 meum defiderat in peregrinatione fodalitium, fed novi in parte 

 naturam Francorum, et licut dicit poeta, ego dico. 

 Omnifque poteftas impatiens confortis erit, 

 Omnifque fuperbus impatiens confortis erit. 

 Gens mea impetuofa eft et indifcreta, impatienfque omnium in- 

 juriarum et moleftias. Si ergo inter tales et fuperbos contentio 

 oriretur, uterque noftrum irreftaurabile damnum incurreret, &c." 

 Vide Thorm. Torfseum. p. iv. 1. 4. c. 38. p. 253. 



From the fame fource fprings the Norwegian's defire to diftin- 

 guifh himfelf in his ftation by fine cloaths, elegant houfes, &c. 

 This is very confpicuous in moft of the trading towns, where 

 commerce gives them an opportunity of converfmg with foreign- 

 ers, efpecially the Englifh, whom they chiefly endeavour to imi- 

 tate; but for want of abilities to equal that nation in fplendor, 

 magnificent entertainments, furniture, and equipages, a great 

 many ruin themfelves *. 



But though the Norwegians endeavour to follow the Englilh 

 in tliefe particulars, and in being conceited, and having a great 

 opinion of their own country and nation, ftill they are very unlike 

 them with regard to friendfhip and hofpitality. For I do not 

 think, that there is any country in the world where the people 

 are fo hofpitable, liberal, and willing to ferve and oblige ftranaers „ 



° © t> Generoiity* 



* Our Bergen merchants who are moft of them defcended from the frugal Dutch, 

 or Germans, continue ftill in that plain way like good fober tradefmen. 



