2lS 
TRAVELS 
in which wc lodged ; to the left were places for cattle. In fpeak- 
ing of the dwelling of a Finnish peafant, I think I fhall gratify the 
reader by the annexed engraving, reprefenting the infide of the 
houfe, where, at the fame time, a feene of domeftic amufement 
is exhibited, which is not infrequent among the Finnifh peafantry. 
One of the men is playing on the national inftrument of Finland, 
called the liarpu (which will be deferibed more particularly here¬ 
after) while two other men, being feated oppofite each other, and 
having their hands locked together, accompany the inftrument 
with their fong and the motion of their bodies, railing each other 
alternately from their feats. The other part of the company en¬ 
joy the feene as fpedlators. 
The fimple accommodation, eafe and contentment of this hof- 
pitable Finlander forms a ftriking contraft to the exceflive luxury 
of the great in Europe. It feems impoftible to behold the agri¬ 
cultural ftate of life without feeling attachment to it; and though 
I am not infenfible to the pleafures and bleffings which luxurious 
ages produce, yet when refinements in fociety give rife to fuch fe- 
verifh and pernicious defires, as induce great landed proprietors to 
fly from the country to overgrown cities, and forfeit their influ¬ 
ence, independence, and eftates, for w'orthlefs pageantry and frivo¬ 
lous baubles; and when by folly lefs excufable than Efau’s, they 
involve in their ruin thoufands of induftrious members of fociety, 
we unavoidably overlook many cares and anxieties which muft at¬ 
tend this artlefs feene of life, and forget the exquifite enjoyments 
of polifhed focieties. 
CHAPTER 
