第2章

类别:其他 作者:John Barrow字数:16929更新时间:18/12/14 11:13:28
Letanyonefancyanexcursionamidst900ships,greatandsmall,whichlinedbothshoresoftheElbeintiersofthreedeepormore; thepassingtoandfroofcountlessboatsbusilyemployedinloadingorunloadingthesevessels;thesethings,togetherwiththeshoutingandsingingofthesailors,therattlingofanchorswhicharebeingweighed,andtherushandswellofpassingsteamers,combinetoconstituteapicturenottobesurpassedinanycityexceptinthatmetropolisoftheworld,London。{12} Thereasonofthisunusualactivityintheharbourlayintheseverityofthepastwinter。Suchawinterhadnotbeenexperiencedforseventyyears:theElbeandtheBalticlayformonthsinicychains,andnotashipcouldtraversethefrozenriver,notananchorcouldbeweighedorlowered。Itwasonlyashorttimebeforemyarrivalthatthepassagehadoncemorebecomefree。 Intheneighbourhoodoftheharbouraresituatedthegreaternumberoftheso-called\"yards。\"Ihadreadconcerningthemthat,viewedfromtheexterior,theylooklikecommonhouses;butthattheyconstituteseparatecommunities,andcontainalleysandstreets,servingasthedomicileofinnumerablefamilies。Ivisitedseveraloftheseplaces,andcanassurethereaderthatIsawnothingextraordinaryinthem。Houseswithtwolargewings,forminganalleyoffromeightytoahundredpacesinlength,aretobemetwithineverylargetown;andthatanumberoffamiliesshouldinhabitsuchahouseisnotremarkable,consideringthattheyareallpoor,andthateachonlypossessesasinglesmallapartment。 Thefavouritewalkinthetownisthe\"Jungfernstieg\"(Maiden\'sWalk),abroadalley,extendingroundaspaciousandbeautifulbasinoftheAlster。Ononesidearesplendidhotels,withwhichHamburghisrichlyprovided;ontheother,anumberofprivateresidencesofequalpretensions。Otherwalksare,the\"Wall,\"surroundingthetown,andthe\"BotanicalGarden,\"whichresemblesafinepark。Thenoblestbuilding,distinguishedalikeasregardsluxury,skill,tastefulnessofdesign,andstability,istheBazaar。Itistrulyagiganticundertaking,andthemoretobeadmiredfromthefactthatitisnotbuiltuponshares,butattheexpenseofasingleindividual,HerrCarlSillem;thearchitect\'snameisOverdick。Thebuildingitselfisconstructedentirelyofstone,andthewallsofthegreatroomandofthehallareinlaidwithmarble。Aloftycupolaandanimmenseglazeddomecoverboththegreatroomandthehall;theupperstaircasesareornamentedwithbeautifulstatues。 Whenintheeveningitisbrilliantlylightedwithgas,andfurtherornamentedbyatastefuldisplayoftherichestwares,thespectatorcanalmostfancyhimselftransportedtoafairypalace。 AltogethertheshopsinHamburghareveryluxurious。Thewaresliedisplayedinthemosttastefulmannerbehindhugewindowsofplate- glass,whichareoftenfromfivetosixfeetbroad,andeightortenfeethigh;asinglesheetfrequentlycosts600florins。Thisplate- glassluxuryisnotconfinedtoshops,butextendstowindowsgenerally,notonlyinHamburgh,butalsoinAltona,andisalsoseeninthehandsomestcountry-housesoftheHamburghers。Manyapanecostseightortenflorins;andtheglassisinsuredincaseofbreakage,likehousesincaseoffire。 Thisdisplayofglassisequalledbythecostlinessofthefurniture,whichisalmostuniversallyofmahogany;awoodwhichishereinsuchcommonuse,thatinsomeofthemosteleganthousestheverystair-banistersareconstructedofit。Eventhepilotshaveoftenmahoganyfurniture。 Thehandsomestandmostfrequentedstreetisthe\"NeueWall\"(NewWall)。Iwasparticularlystruckwiththenumberofshopsanddwellingsunderground,towhichonedescendsbyaflightofsixoreightstairs;anironrailingisgenerallyplacedbeforetheentrance,topreventthepassers-byfromfallingdown。 Averypracticalinstitutionisthegreatslaughterhouse,inwhichallcattlearekilledoncertaindaysoftheweek。 ConcerningthetownofAltona,IhaveonlytoobservethatitappearedtomeacontinuationofHamburgh;fromwhichtown,indeed,itisonlyseparatedbyawoodendoor。Averybroad,handsomestreet,or,moreproperlyspeaking,anelongatedsquare,plantedwithadoublerowoflargetrees,isthemostremarkablethingaboutAltona,whichbelongstotheDanishGovernment,andisconsidered,afterCopenhagen,themostimportantplaceinthekingdom。 ItisadeliciousridetothevillageofBlankenese,distantninemilesfromHamburgh;theroadliesamongbeautifulcountry-housesandlargepark-likegardens。Blankeneseitselfconsistsofcottages,groupedinapicturesquemannerroundtheSulberg,ahillfromwhichthetravellerenjoysaveryextendedviewoverthegreatplain,inwhichitistheonlyelevatedpoint。ThecourseoftheElbe,asitwindsatmoderatespeedtowardsthesea,isheretobetracedalmosttoitsembouchureatCuxhaven。 ThebreadthoftheElbeatBlankeneseexceedstwomiles。 Anotherinterestingexcursionistothe\"NewMills,\"alittlevillageontheElbe,notmorethanhalfamilefromAltona,andinhabitedonlybyfishermenandpilots。WhoeverwishestoformanideaofDutchprettinessandcleanlinessshouldcomehere。 Thehousesaremostlyonestoryhigh,neatlyandtastefullybuilt; thebrightestofbrasshandlesadornthestreet-doors;thewindowsarekeptscrupulouslyclean,andfurnishedwithwhitecurtains。 InSaxonyIhadfoundmanydwellingsofthepeasantrytidyandneatenough,displayingatanyratemoreopulencethanweareaccustomedtofindwiththisclassofpeople;butIhadseennonetocompetewiththisprettyvillage。 Amongthepeasants\'costumes,Ionlylikedthatwornbythewomenfromthe\"Vierlanden。\"Theywearshortfullskirtsofblackstuff,finewhitechemisetteswithlongsleeves,andcolouredbodices,lightlyfastenedinfrontwithsilkcordsorsilverbuckles。Theirstrawhatshaveamostcomicalappearance;thebrimofthehatisturnedupinsuchamannerthatthecrownappearstohavecompletelysunkin。ManyprettyyounggirlsdressedinthismannercometoHamburghtosellflowers,andtakeuptheirpositioninfrontoftheExchange。 The26thofApril,thedayappointedformydeparture,arrivedonlytoospeedily。Topartistheunavoidablefateofthetraveller;butsometimeswepartgladly,sometimeswithregret。IneednotwritemanypagestodescribemyfeelingsatthepartinginHamburgh。I wasleavingbehindmemylastrelations,mylastfriends。NowIwasgoingintothewideworld,andamongstrangers。 Ateighto\'clockinthemorningIleftAltona,andproceededbyrailwaytoKiel。 Inoticedwithpleasurethatonthisrailwayeventhethird-classcarriagesweresecurelycoveredin,andfurnishedwithglasswindows。Infact,theyonlydifferedfromthoseofthefirstandsecondclassinbeingpaintedadifferentcolour,andhavingtheseatsuncushioned。 Thewholedistanceofseventymileswaspassedinthreehours;arapidjourney,butagreeablemerelybyitsrapidity,forthewholeneighbourhoodpresentsonlywidely-extendedplains,turf-bogsandmoorlands,sandyplacesandheaths,interspersedwithalittlemeadoworarableland。Fromthenatureofthesoil,thewaterintheditchesandfieldslookedblackasink。 NearBinneburgwenoticeafewstuntedplantationsoftrees。FromEisholmabranch-lineleadstoGluckstadt,andanotherfromNeumunster,alargeplacewithimportantcloth-factories,toRendsburg。 Fromherethereisnothingtobeseenbutaconvent,inwhichmanyDukesofHolsteinlieburied,andseveralunimportantlakes;forinstance,thoseofBernsholm,Einfeld,andSchulhof。ThelittleriverEiderwouldhavepassedunnoticedbyme,hadnotsomeofmyfellow-passengersmadeagreatfeatureofit。InthefinestcountriesIhavefoundthenativesfarlessenthusiasticaboutwhatwasreallygrandandbeautiful,thantheywerehereinpraiseofwhatwasneithertheonenortheother。Myneighbour,averyagreeablelady,wasuntiringinlaudationofherbeautifulnativeland。Inhereyesthecrippledwoodwasasplendidpark,thewastemoorlandaninexhaustiblefieldforcontemplation,andeverytrifleamatterofrealimportance。InmyheartIwishedherjoyofherfervidimagination;butunfortunatelymycoldernaturewouldnotcatchtheinfection。 TowardsKieltheplainbecomesaregionoflowhills。KielitselfisprettilysituatedontheBaltic,which,viewedfromthence,hastheappearanceofalakeofmiddlingsize。Theharbourissaidtobegood;buttherewerenotmanyshipsthere。{13}AmongthesewasthesteamerdestinedtocarrymetoCopenhagen。LittledidI anticipatethegoodreasonIshouldhavetorememberthisvessel。 ThankstotheaffectionateforethoughtofmycousinSchmidt,Ifoundoneofhisrelations,HerrBrauer,waitingformeattherailway。I wasimmediatelyintroducedtohisfamily,andpassedthefewhoursofmystayveryagreeablyintheircompany。 Eveningapproached,andwithitthehourofembarkation。MykindfriendstheBrauersaccompaniedmetothesteamer,andItookagratefulleaveofthem。 IsoondiscoveredthesteamerChristianVIII。,of180-horsepower,tobeavesseldirtierandmoreuncomfortablethananywithwhichI hadbecomeacquaintedinmymaritimeexcursions。Scrubbingandsweepingseemedthingsunknownhere。Theapproachtothecabinwasbyaflightofstairssosteep,thatgreatcarewasrequisitetoavoiddescendinginanexpeditiousbutdisagreeablemanner,byafallfromtoptobottom。Inthefore-cabintherewasnoattemptatseparatequartersforladiesandgentlemen。Inshort,thearrangementsseemedalltohavebeenmadewithaviewofimpressingtheshipvividlyontherecollectionofeverytraveller。 Atnineo\'clockweleftKiel。Thedayandthetwilightareherealreadylongerthaninthelandslyingtothesouthandthewest。 Therewaslightenoughtoenablemetosee,loomingoutofthesurroundingdarkness,thefortress\"Friedrichsort,\"whichwepassedataboutteno\'clock。 April27th。 To-dayIstillrosewiththesun;butthatwillsoonbeadifficultmattertoaccomplish;forinthenorththegoddessoflightmakesamendsinspringandsummerforhershortcomingsduringthewinter。 Iwentondeck,andlookedonthebroadexpanseofocean。Nolandwastobeseen;butsoonacoastappeared,thendisappeared,andthenanewandmoredistantoneroseoutofthesea。TowardsnoonwereachedtheislandofMoen,whichliesaboutforty{14}milesdistantfromCopenhagen。Itformsabeautifulgroupofrocks,risingboldlyfromthesea。Theyarewhiteaschalk,andhaveasmoothandshiningappearance。Thehighestofthesewallsofrocktowers400feetabovethelevelofthesurroundingocean。SoonwesawthecoastofSweden,thentheislandofMalmo;andatlastCopenhagenitself,wherewelandedatfouro\'clockintheafternoon。 ThedistancefromKieltoCopenhagenis136sea-miles。 IremainedsevendaysatCopenhagen,andshouldhavehadampletimetoseeeverything,hadtheweatherbeenmorefavourable。Butitblewandrainedsoviolently,thatIwasobligedtogiveupallthoughtsofvisitingthesurroundingparks,andwasfaintocontentmyselfwithseeingafewofthenearestwalks,whichIaccomplishedwithsomedifficulty。 ThefirststreetinCopenhagenwhichItraversedoncomingfromtheharbourgenerallyproducesagreatimpression。Itiscalledthe\"BroadStreet,\"andleadsfromtheharbourthroughthegreaterpartofthetown。Inadditiontoitsbreadthitisverylongandregular,andthesplendidpalacesandhousesoneithersidegiveitaremarkablygrandappearance。 Itisapeculiarsight,when,inthemidstofthisfinequarter,wecomesuddenlyuponaruin,agiantbuildingrestingonhugepillars,buthalfcompleted,andpartlycoveredwithmossandlichens。Itwasintendedforasplendidchurch,andisbuiltentirelyofmarble; butthesoftgroundwouldnotbeartheimmenseweight。Thehalf- finishedbuildingbegantosink,andthecompletionoftheundertakingbecameforeverimpossible。 Manyotherstreetsrivalthe\"BroadStreet\"insizeandmagnificence。ForemostamongthemcomestheAmalienstrasse。Themostbustling,butbyfarnotthefinest,aretheOsterandGotherstrasse。Towalkintheseisatfirstquiteadifficultundertakingforastranger。Ononesideofthepavement,whichisraisedaboutafootabovethecarriage-way,hecomescontinuallyincontactwithstairs,leadingsometimestowarehousesabove,atotherstosubterraneanwarehousesbelowthelevelofthestreet。 TheapproachestothelatterarenotguardedbyrailingsasinHamburgh。Theothersideofthepavementisboundedbyalittleunostentatiousrivulet,calledbyunpoeticalpeople\"canal,\"intowhichtributariesequallysweetpourfromalltheneighbouringhouses。Itisthereforenecessarytotakegreatcare,lestyoushouldfallintothetraitorousdepthsontheoneside,orstumbleovertheprojectingstepsontheother。Thepavementitselfiscoveredwitharowofstoneslabs,afootandahalfwide,onwhichonewalkscomfortablyenough。Buttheneverybodycontendsforthepossessionofthese,toavoidtheunevenandpointedstonesattheside。This,addedtothedreadfulcrowding,rendersthestreetonewhichwouldscarcelybechosenforawalk,thelesssoastheshopsdonotcontainanythinghandsome,thehousesareneitherpalace- likenoreventastefullybuilt,andthestreetitselfisneitherofthebroadestnorofthecleanest。 Thesquaresarealllargeandregularlybuilt。ThefinestistheKongensnytorf(King\'sNewMarket)。Somefinemansions,thechiefguard-house,thetheatre,thechiefcoffee-housesandinns,theacademyofthefinearts,andthebuildingbelongingtothebotanicalgarden,thetwolastcommonlyknownbythenameof\"Charlottenburg,\"areamongtheornamentsofthismagnificentsquare,inthemidstofwhichstandsabeautifulmonument,representingChristianV。onhorseback,andsurroundedbyseveralfigures。 Smaller,butmorebeautifulinitsperfectsymmetry,isthe\"Amalienplatz,\"containingfourroyalpalaces,builtexactlyalike,andintersectedbyfourbroadstreetsintheformofacross。Thissquarealsoisdecoratedbyamonumentstandinginthemidst,andrepresentingFrederickV。Inanotherfinesquare,the\"Nytorf\"(NewMarket),thereisafountain。Itslittlestatuesendsforthverymeagrejetsofwater,andthefountainismerelynoticeableasbeingtheonlyoneIcouldfindatCopenhagen。 Thetravellercanhardlyfailofbeingsurprisedbythenumberandmagnificenceofthepalaces,atsightofwhichhecouldfancyhimselfinthemetropolisofoneofthelargestkingdoms。The\"Christianensburg\"istrulyimperial;itwascompletelydestroyedbyfireintheyear1794,buthassincebeenrebuiltwithincreasedsplendour。Thechapelofthispalaceisveryremarkable。Theinteriorhastheappearanceratherofaconcert-roomthanofabuildingdevotedtopurposesofworship。Tastefullydecoratedboxes,amongwhichwenoticethatoftheking,togetherwithgalleries,occupytheupperpartofthechapel;thelowerisfilledwithbenchescoveredwithredvelvetandsilk。Thepulpitandaltararesoentirelywithoutdecoration,that,onfirstentering,theywhollyescapenotice。 Inthe\"Christianensburg\"isalsothe\"NorthernMuseum,\"peculiarlyrichinspecimensoftheornaments,weapons,musicalinstruments,andothermementoesofnorthernnations。 TheWinterRiding-school,inwhichconcertsarefrequentlygiven,islargeandsymmetrical。Iadmiredthestalls,andyetmorethegreyhorseswhichoccupiedthem——descendantsofthepureArabianandwildNorwegianbreeds——creatureswithlongmanesandtailsoffinesilkyhair。Everyonewhoseesthesehorses,whetherhebeaconnoisseuroroneoftheuninitiated,mustadmirethem。 Adjoiningthe\"Christianensburg\"isThorwaldsen\'sMuseum,asquarebuildingwithfinesaloons,lightedfromabove。WhenIsawit,itwasnotcompleted;thewallswerebeingpaintedinfrescobysomeofthefirstnativeartists。Thesculpturedtreasureswerethere,butunfortunatelyyetunpacked。 InthemidstofthecourtyardThorwaldsen\'smausoleumisbeingerected。Therehisasheswillrest,withhisexquisitelyfinishedlionasagravestoneabovethem。{15} Thelargestamongthechurchesisthe\"Woman\'sChurch。\"Thebuildinghasnoarchitecturalbeauty;thepillars,galleries,andcupolaareallofwood,coveredwithamixtureofsandandplaster。 Butwhatevermaybewantinginoutwardsplendouriscompensatedbyitscontents,forthischurchcontainsthemasterpiecesofThorwaldsen。AtthehighaltarstandshisgloriousfigureofourSaviour,inthenichesofthewallhiscolossaltwelveapostles。 Inthecontemplationoftheseworksweforgettheplainnessofthebuildingwhichcontainsthem。Maythefatesbeprosperous,andnoconflagrationreachthischurch,builtasitishalfofwood! TheCatholicChurchissmall,buttastefulbeyondexpression。ThelateemperorofAustriapresentedtoitagoodfull-tonedorgan,andtwooil-paintings,onebyKuppelweiser,theotherbyapupilofthismaster。 Inthe\"MuseumofArts\"Iwasmostinterestedintheancientchair,usedindaysofyorebyTychodeBrahe。{16} TheExchangeisacuriousancientbuilding。Itisverylongandnarrow,andsurmountedbyninepeaks,fromthecentreofwhichprotrudesaremarkablepointedtower,formedoffourcrocodiles\' tailsintertwined。 Thehallitselfissmall,low,anddark;itcontainsafull-lengthportraitinoilofTychodeBrahe。Nearlyalltheupperpartofthebuildingisconvertedintoakindofbazaar,andthelowerportioncontainsanumberofsmallanddingybooths。 Severalcanals,havinganoutletintothesea,giveapeculiarcharmtothetown。Theyare,infact,somanymarkets;forthecraftlyinginthemareladenwithprovisionsofallkinds,whicharehereofferedforsale。 TheSailors\'Town,adjoiningCopenhagen,andsituatedneartheharbour,issingularlyneatandpretty。Itconsistsofthreelong,broad,straightstreets,builtofhouseslookingsoexactlyalike,thatonafoggynightanaccurateknowledgeofthelocalityisrequisitetoknowonefromtheother。Itlooksasthough,oneachsideoftheway,therewereonlyonelonghouseofasinglefloor,withabuildingonestoryhighinthemiddle。Inthelatterdwellthecommandantandoverseers。 ThelightingofthestreetsismanagedinCopenhageninthesamewayasinoursmallerGermantowns。When\"moonlight\"isannouncedinthecalendar,notalampislighted。Iftheladymoonchoosestohidebehinddarkclouds,thatisherfault。Itwouldbeinsolenttoattempttosupplytheplaceofherradiancewithmiserablelamps——awisearrangement!(?) Ofthenearwalks,thegardenofthe\"Rosenburg,\"withinthetown,pleasedmemuch;asdidalsothe\"LongLine,\"analleyofbeautifultreesextendingparallelwiththesea,andinwhichonecaneitherwalkorride。Acoffee-house,infrontofwhichthereismusicinfineweather,attractsmanyoftheloungers。Themostbeautifulplaceofallisthe\"Kastell,\"abovethe\"LongLine,\"fromwhenceonecanenjoyabeautifulview。Thetownliesdisplayedbelowinallitsmagnificence:theharbour,withitsmanyships;thesparklingblueSound,whichspreadsitsbroadexpansebetweenthecoastsofDenmarkandSweden,andwashesmanyabeautifulgroupofislandsbelongingtooneortheotherofthesecountries。Thebackgroundofthepicturealoneisuninteresting,asthereisnochainofmountainstoformahorizon,andtheeyewandersovertheboundlessflatsofDenmark。 AmongthevesselslyingatanchorintheharbourIsawbutfewthree-masters,andstillfewersteamers。Theshipsofthefleetpresentedacuriousappearance;atthefirstviewtheylooklikegreathouseswithflag-staves,foreveryshipisprovidedwitharoof,outofwhichthemastsriseintotheair;theyarebesidesveryhighoutofthewater,sothatalltheport-holesandthewindowsofthecabinsappearintwoorthreestories,oneabovetheother。 Asomewhatmoredistantexcursion,whichcanbeveryconvenientlymadeinacapitalomnibus,takesyoutotheroyalchateau\"Friedrichsberg,\"lyingbeforethewater-gate,twomilesdistantfromthetown。Splendidavenuesleadtothisplace,wherearetobefoundallthedelightsthatcancombinetodrawacitizenintothecountry。Thereareativoli,arailway,cabinets,andboothswithwax-figures,andcountlessothersights,besidescoffee-houses,beer-rooms,andmusic。Thegardensareplantedatthesideswithanumberofsmallarbours,eachcontainingatableand。chairs,andallopeninfront,soastoshewatoneviewallthevisitorsoftheseprettynaturalhuts。OnSundays,whenthegardensarecrowded,thisisaveryanimatedsight。 Onthewaytothis\"Prater\"ofCopenhagen,wepassmanyhandsomevillas,eachstandinginafinegarden。 Theroyalpalaceissituatedonthesummitofahill,attheendoftheavenue,andissurroundedbyabeautifulpark;itcommandsaviewofagreatportionofthetown,withthesurroundingcountryandthesea;stillIfarprefertheprospectfromthe\"Kastell。\" TheParkcontainsaconsiderableisland,which,duringsomepartoftheyear,standsinthemidstofanextensivelake。ThisislandisappropriatedtotheCourt,buttherestoftheparkisopentothepublic。 Immediatelyoutsidethewater-gatestandsanobelisk,remarkableneitherforitsbeautynorfortheskilldisplayedinitserection,foritconsistsofvariousstones,andisnothigh,butinterestingfromthecircumstancetowhichitowesitsorigin。ItwaserectedbyhisgratefulsubjectsinmemoryofthelatekingChristianVII。,tocommemoratetheabolitionoffeudalservice。Surelynofeelingpersoncancontemplatewithoutjoyfulemotionamonumentlikethis。 IhaveheregivenafaithfulaccountofwhatIsawduringmyshortstayatCopenhagen。Itonlyremainsformetodescribeafewpeculiarcustomsofthepeople,andsoIwillbeginasitwereattheend,withtheburialofthedead。InDenmark,asinfactinthewholeofScandinavia,notexceptingIceland,itiscustomarynottoburythedeaduntileightortendayshaveelapsed。Inwinter-timethisisnotofsomuchconsequence,butinsummeritisfarfromhealthyforthoseunderthesameroofwiththecorpse。IwaspresentatCopenhagenatthefuneralofDr。Brandis,physiciantotheking。Twooftheking\'scarriagesandanumberofprivateequipagesattended。Nearlyallthesewereempty,andtheservantswalkedbesidethem。AmongthemournersIdidnotnoticeasinglewoman;Isupposedthatthiswasonlythecaseatthefuneralsofgentlemen,butoninquiryIfoundthatthesameruleisobservedattheburialofwomen。Thisconsiderationfortheweakersexiscarriedsofar,thatonthedayofthefuneralnowomanmaybeseeninthehouseofmourning。Themournersassembleinthehouseofthedeceased,andpartakeofcoldrefreshments。Attheconclusionoftheceremonytheyareagainregaled。WhatparticularlypleasedmeinCopenhagenwas,thatIneveronanyoccasionsawbeggars,orevensuchmiserablycladpeopleasarefoundonlytoofrequentlyinourgreatcities。Heretherearenodoubtpoorpeople,astherearesucheverywhereelseintheworld,butonedoesnotseethembeg。 Icannothelpmentioninganarrangementwhichcertainlydeservestobeuniversallycarriedout;——Imean,thesettingapartofmanylargehouses,partlybelongingtotheroyalfamily,partlytorichprivatepeopleortocompanies,forthereceptionofpoorpeople,whoareherelodgedatamuchcheaperratethanispossibleinordinarydwellings。 Thecostumesofthepeasantsdidnotparticularlypleaseme。Thewomenweardressesofgreenorblackwoollenstuff,reachingtotheankle,andtrimmedattheskirtwithbroadcolouredwoollenborders。 Theseamsofthespenser,andthearm-holes,arealsotrimmedwithsmallercolouredborders。Ontheirheadstheywearahandkerchief,andoverthisakindofshade,likeabonnet。OnSundaysIsawmanyoftheminsmall,prettycaps,workedwithsilk,withaborderoflaceofmorethanahand\'sbreadth,plaitedverystiffly;atthebacktheyhavelargebowsoffineriband,theendsofwhichreachhalfdowntotheirfeet。Ifoundnothingveryremarkableinthedressofthepeasants。Asfarasstrengthandbeautywereconcerned,IthoughtthesepeasantswereneithermorenorlessgiftedthanthoseofAustria。Asregardsthebeautyofthefairsex,IshouldcertainlygivethepreferencetotheAustrians。Fairhairandblueeyespredominate。 Isawbutfewsoldiers;theiruniforms,particularlythosewornbytheking\'slife-guards,areveryhandsome。 Iespeciallynoticedthedrummers;theywerealllittleladsoftenortwelveyearsold。Onecouldalmosthaveexclaimed,\"Drum,whitherartthoucarryingthatboy?\"Tomarch,andtojoininfatiguingmanoeuvres,carryingsuchadrum,andbeatingitbravelyatthesametime,israthercruelworkforsuchyounglads。Manyaruinedconstitutionmaybeascribedtothiscustom。 DuringmystayinCopenhagenIspentmanyverydelightfulhourswithProfessorMariboeandhisamiablefamily,andwiththekindclergymanoftheembassy,HerrZimmermann。Theyreceivedmewithtruepolitenessandhospitality,anddrewmeintotheircircle,whereIsoonfeltmyselfquiteatease。Ishallneverforgettheirfriendship,andshallmakeuseofeveryopportunitytoshewthemmyappreciationofit。HerrEdouardGottschalkandHerrKnudsonhavealsomybestthanks。IappliedtothefirstofthesegentlementoprocuremeapassagetoIceland,andhewaskindenoughtousehisinterestwithHerrKnudsononmybehalf。 HerrKnudsonisoneofthefirstgeneraldealersinCopenhagen,andcarriesonalargerandmoreextendedcommercewithIcelandthananyotherhousetradingthither。Heisalreadybeginningtoretire,asthecontinualjourneysarebecomingirksometohim;buthestillownsanumberofgreatandsmallvessels,whicharepartlyemployedinthefisheries,andpartlyinbringingallkindsofarticlesofconsumptionandluxurytothedifferentharboursofIceland。 Hehimselfgoesinoneofhisshipseveryyear,andstaysafewmonthsinIcelandtosettlehisaffairsthere。OntherecommendationofHerrGottschalk,HerrKnudsonwaskindenoughtogivemeapassageintheshipinwhichhemadethejourneyhimself; afavourwhichIknewhowtovalue。Itiscertainlynosmallkindnesstotakealadypassengeronsuchajourney。HerrKnudsonknewneithermyfortitudenormyperseverance;hedidnotknowwhetherIshouldbeabletoendurethehardshipsofajourneytothenorth,whetherIwouldbearsea-sicknessphilosophically,orevenifIhadcourageenough,incaseofstormsorbadweather,toabstainfromannoyingthecaptainbymyfearsorcomplaintsatatimewhenhewouldonlyhavetoomuchtoharasshim。Thekindmanallowednosuchconsiderationstoinfluencehim。HebelievedmewhenI promisedtobehavecourageouslycomewhatmight,andtookmewithhim。IndeedhiskindnesswentsofarthatitistohimIoweeverycomfortIenjoyedinIceland,andeveryassistanceinfurtheringtheattainmentofmyjourney\'sobject。Icouldcertainlynothavecommencedavoyageunderbetterauspices。 AllshipsvisitingIcelandleaveCopenhagenattheendofApril,oratthelatestinthemiddleofMay。Afterthistimeonlyoneshipisdespatched,tocarrythemailsoftheDanishgovernment。ThisvesselleavesCopenhageninOctober,remainsinIcelandduringthewintermonths,andreturnsinMarch。ThegainorlossofthisexpeditionisdistributedinsharesamongthemerchantsofCopenhagen。 Besidesthis,aFrenchfrigatecomestoIcelandeveryspring,andcruisesamongthedifferentharboursuntilthemiddleofAugust。 Shesuperintendsthefishingvessels,which,attractedbythelargeprofitsofthefisheries,visittheseseasingreatnumbersduringthesummer。{17} OpportunitiesofreturningfromIcelandoccurduringthesummeruntiltheendofSeptember,bymeansofthemerchant-ships,whichcarryfreightsfromtheislandtoDenmark,England,andSpain。 Atlength,onSundaythe4thofMay,afavourablewindsprungup。 HerrKnudsonsentmewordtobereadytoembarkatnoononboardthefinebrigJohn。 Iimmediatelyproceededonboard。Theanchorwasweighed,andthesails,unfoldingthemselveslikegiantwings,waftedusgentlyoutoftheharbourofCopenhagen。Nopartingfromchildren,relations,orold-cherishedfriendsembitteredthishour。WithagladheartI badeadieutothecity,inthejoyfulhopesoontoseethefulfilmentofmylong-expectedjourney。 Thebrightskysmiledaboveus,andamostfavourablewindfilledoursails。Isatondeckandrevelledinthecontemplationofscenessonewtome。Behinduslayspreadthemajestictown;beforeustheSound,animmensenaturalbasin,whichIcouldalmostcomparetoagreatSwisslake;ontherightandleftwerethecoastsofSwedenandDenmark,whichhereapproacheachothersocloselythattheyseemtoopposeabarriertothefurtherprogressoftheadventurousvoyager。 SoonwepassedthelittleSwedishtownofCarlscrona,andthedesolateislandHveen,onwhichTychodeBrahepassedthegreaterportionofhislife,occupiedwithstellarobservationsandcalculations。Nowcameasomewhatdangerouspart,andonewhichcalledintoactionallthecarefulseamanshipofthecaptaintobringussafelythroughtheconfinedseaandthestrongcurrent,—— theentranceoftheSoundintotheCattegat。 Thetwocoastshereapproachtowithinamileofeachother。OntheSwedishsideliestheprettylittletownofHelsingborg,ontheDanishsidethatofHelsingor,andattheextremityofaprojectingneckoflandthefortressKronburg,whichdemandsatollofeverypassingship,andshewsalargerowofthreateningcannonincaseofnon-compliance。OurtollhadalreadybeenpaidbeforeleavingCopenhagen;wehadbeenaccuratelysignalled,andsailedfearlesslyby。{18} Theentranceoncepassed,weenteredtheCattegat,whichalreadylookedmorelikethegreatocean:thecoastsretiredoneachside,andmostoftheshiftsandbarques,whichtillnowhadhoveredaroundusonallsides,badeus\"farewell。\"Somebenttheircoursetowardstheeast,otherstowardsthewest;andwealone,onthebroaddesertocean,setsailfortheicynorth。Twilightdidnotsetinuntil9o\'clockatnight;andonthecoaststheflamingbeaconsflashedup,towarnthebenightedmarineroftheproximityofdangerousrocks。 InowofferedupmythanksgivingtoHeavenfortheprotectionhithertovouchsafedme,withahumbleprayerforitscontinuance。 ThenIdescendedtothecabin,whereIfoundaconvenientbunk(akindofcribfixedtothesideoftheship);Ilaidmyselfdown,andwassooninadeepandrefreshingsleep。 Iawokefullofhealthandspirits,which,however,Ienjoyedbutforashorttime。Duringthenightwehadleftbehindusthe\"Cattegat\"andthe\"Skagerrack,\"andweredrivingthroughthestormyGermanOcean。Ahighwind,whichincreasedalmosttoagale,tumbledourpoorshipaboutinsuchamanner,thatnonebutagooddancercouldhopetomaintainanuprightposition。IhadunfortunatelybeenfrommyyouthnovotaryofTerpsichore,andwhatwasItodo?Thenaiadsofthisstormyregionseizedme,andbandiedmetoandfro,untiltheythrewmeintothearmsofwhatwas,accordingtomyexperience,ifnotexactlyafterSchiller\'sinterpretation,\"thehorribleofhorrors,\"——sea-sickness。AtfirstItooklittleheedofthis,thinkingthatsea-sicknesswouldsoonbeovercomebyatravellerlikemyself,whoshouldbeinuredtoeverything。ButinvaindidIbearup;Ibecameworseandworse,tillI wasatlengthobligedtoremaininmyberthwithbutoneconsolingthought,namely,thatwewereto-dayontheopensea,wheretherewasnothingworthyofnotice。ButthefollowingdaytheNorwegiancoastwasinsight,andatallhazardsImustseeit;soIcrawledondeckmoredeadthanalive,lookedatarowofmountainsofmoderateelevation,theirtopsatthisearlyseasonstillsparklingwiththeirsnowycovering,andthenhurriedback,benumbedbythepiercingicywind,tomygoodwarmfeather-bed。Thosewhohaveneverexperienceditcanhavenoconceptionofthebiting,penetratingcoldnessofagaleofwindinthenorthernseas。Thesunshonehighintheheavens;thethermometer(IalwayscalculateaccordingtoReaumur)stood3degreesabovezero;IwasdressedmuchmorewarmlythanIshouldhavethoughtnecessarywhen,inmyfatherland,thethermometerwas8degreesor10degreesBELOWzero,andyetIfeltchilledtotheheart,andcouldhavefanciedthatI hadnoclothesonatall。 OnthefourthnightwesailedsafelypasttheShetlandIslands;andontheeveningofthefifthdaywepassedsonearthemajesticrockygroupoftheFeroeIslands,thatwewereatonetimeapprehensiveofbeingcastupontherocksbytheunceasinggale。{19} AlreadyontheseventhdaywedescriedthecoastofIceland。Ourpassagehadbeenunprecedentedlyquick;thesailorsdeclaredthatafavourablegalewastobepreferredeventosteam,andthatonourpresentvoyageweshouldcertainlyhavelefteverysteamerinourwake。ButI,wretchedbeingthatIwas,wouldgladlyhavedispensedwiththeservicesbothofgaleandsteamforthesakeofafewhours\'rest。Myillnessincreasedsomuch,thatontheseventhdayIthoughtImustsuccumb。Mylimbswerebathedinacoldperspiration;Iwasasweakasaninfant,andmymouthfeltparchedanddry。IsawthatImustnoweithermakeagreateffortorgiveupentirely;soIrousedmyself,andwiththeassistanceofthecabin-boygainedaseat,andpromisedtotakeanyandeveryremedywhichshouldberecommended。Theygavemehot-watergruelwithwineandsugar;butitwasnotenoughtobeobligedtoforcethisdown,I wasfurthercompelledtoswallowsmallpiecesofrawbaconhighlypeppered,andevenamouthfulofrum。Ineednotsaywhatstrongdeterminationwasrequiredtomakemesubmittosucharegimen。I had,however,butonechoice,eithertoconquermyrepugnanceorgivemyselfupavictimtosea-sickness;sowithallpatienceandresignationIreceivedtheprofferedgifts,andfound,afteratrialofmanyhours,thatIcouldmanagetoretainasmalldose。Thisphysickingwascontinuedfortwolong,longdays,andthenIbeganslowlytorecover。 Ihaveherecircumstantiallydescribedbothmyillnessanditscure,becausesomanypeopleareunfortunatelyvictimstothecomplaint,andwhenunderitsinfluencecannotsummonresolutiontotakesustenance。IshouldadviseallmyfriendsnottoholdoutsolongasIdid,buttotakefoodatonce,andcontinuetodosountilthesystemwillreceiveit。 AsIwasnowconvalescent,Itriedtorecruitmyweariedmindbyadiligentstudyofthemodeoflifeandcustomsofthemarinersofthenorthernseas。 Ourship\'scompanyconsistedofHerrKnudson,HerrBruge(amerchantwhomweweretolandattheWestmannIslands),thecaptain,themate,andsixorsevensailors。Ourmodeoflifeinthecabinwasasfollows:inthemorning,atseveno\'clock,wetookcoffee,butwhencethiscoffeecame,heavenknows!Idrankitforelevendays,andcouldneverdiscoveranythingwhichmightserveasaclueinmyattempttodiscoverthecountryofitsgrowth。Atteno\'clockwehadamealconsistingofbreadandbutterandcheese,withcoldbeeforpork,allexcellentdishesforthoseinhealth;thesecondcourseofthismorningmealwas\"tea-water。\"InScandinavia,bytheway,theyneversay,\"IdrinkTEA,\"theword\"water\"isalwaysadded:\"I drinkTEA-WATER。\"Our\"tea-water\"was,ifpossible,worsethanitspredecessor,theincomparablecoffee。ThusIwasbeatenatallpoints;theeatablesweretoostrongforme,thedrinkablestoo—— too——Icanfindnoappropriateepithet——probablytooartificial。I consoledmyselfwiththeprospectofdinner;but,alas,toosoonthissweetvisionfadedintothinair!OnthesixthdayImademyfirstappearanceatthecoveredtable,andcouldnothelpatonceremarkingtheclothwhichhadbeenspreadoverit。Atthecommencementofourjourneyitmightperhapshavebeenwhite;nowitwasmostcertainlynolongerofthatsnowyhue。Thecontinualpitchingandrollingoftheshiphadcausedeachdishtosetitspeculiarstampuponthecloth。Asortofwoodennetworkwasnowlaiduponit,intheintersticesofwhichtheplatesandglasseswereset,andthussecuredfromfalling。Butbeforeplacingitonthetable,ourworthycabin-boytookeachplateandglassseparately,andpolisheditonatowelwhichhungnear,andincolourcertainlyratherresemblingthedingyfloorofthecabinthanthebight-huedrainbow。Thiscouldstillhavebeenendured,butthearticleinquestionreallydiddutyASATOWELinthemorning,beforeextendingitssalutaryinfluenceoverplatesandglassesfortheremainderoftheday。 Onmakingdiscoveriessuchasthese,Iwouldmerelyturnawaymyeyes,andtrytothinkthatperhapsMYGLASSandMYPLATEwouldbemoredelicatelymanipulated,orprobablyescapealtogether;andthenIwouldturnmywholeattentiontotheexpecteddishes。 Firstcamesoup;butinsteadofgravy-soup,itwaswater-soup,withriceanddriedplums。This,whenmingledwithredwineandsugar,formedamostexquisitedishforDanishappetites,butitcertainlydidnotsuitmine。Thesecondandconcludingcourseconsistedofalargepieceofbeef,withwhichIhadnofaulttofind,exceptthatitwastooheavyforoneinmyweakstateofhealth。Atsupperwehadthesamedishesasatdinner,andeachmealwasfollowedby\"tea-water。\"AtfirstIcouldnotfancythisbilloffareatall; butwithinafewdaysaftermyconvalesence,Ihadaccustomedmyselftoit,andcouldbearthesea-dietverywell。{20} Astherichownerofthevesselwasonboard,therewasnolackofthebestwines,andfeweveningspassedonwhichabowlofpunchwasnotemptied。Therewas,however,areasonfoundwhyeverybottleofwineorbowlofpunchshouldbedrunk:forinstance,atourembarkation,todrinkthehealthofthefriendswewereleaving,andtohopeforaquickandprosperousvoyage;then,whenthewindwasfavourable,itshealthwasdrunk,withtherequestthatitwouldremainso;whenitwascontrary,withtherequestthatitwouldchange;whenwesawland,wesaluteditwithaglassofwine,orperhapswithseveral,butIwastooilltocount;whenwelostsightofit,wedrankafarewellglasstoitshealth:sothateverydaybroughtwithitthreeorfourdistinctandseparateoccasionsfordrinkingwine。{21} Thesailorsdranktea-waterwithoutsugareverymorningandevening,withtheadditionofaglassofbrandy;fordinnertheyhadpease,beans,barley,orpotatoes,withsaltedcod,bacon,\"orjunk;\"goodsea-biscuittheycouldgetwhenevertheychose。 Thedietisnottheworstpartofthesepoorpeople\'shardships。 Theirlifemaybecalledacontinualfightagainsttheelements;foritispreciselyduringthemostdreadfulstorms,withrainandpiercingcold,thattheyhavetobecontinuallyupondeck。Icouldnotsufficientlyadmirethecoolness,orratherthecheerfulnessandalacritywithwhichtheyfulfilledtheironerousduties。Andwhatrewardhavethey?Scantypay,forfoodthedietIhavejustdescribed,andfortheirsleeping-placethesmallestandmostinconvenientpartoftheship,adarkplacefrequentlyinfestedwithvermin,andsmellingoffensivelyfrombeinglikewiseusedasareceptacleforoil-colours,varnish,tar,salt-fish,&c。&c。