File:Bergen, North (JW Edy plate 77).jpg

This city is the largest in Norway, and perhaps the most populous, the inhabitants being computed at 20,000. It is situated on the north coast, having a noble back ground of mountains, which rise immediately behind it, and give the name Bergenhuus, to one fourth part of Norway, over which its diocesan bishop has the ecclesiastical jurisdiction. There is a cathedral, built in the Saxon Gothic style. The streets are straight, spacious, and handsome, and there is an extensive square at the head of the inner harbour. From the elevated summits of some of the mountains, in clear weather, may be seen hundreds of others, among which are many of fantastic shapes interspersed with lakes, cataracts, and rivers, extending in a southerly direction to the great chain of the Hardangerfield. To the northward are seen the town, its three harbours, ships, fortifications, and islands, with the north sea in the distance. The proximity of the latter furnishes abundant occupation to the extensive fisheries, and a very considerable trade is carried on by the inhabitants in catching, curing, and extracting oil, from these inexhaustible supplies. They also collect about the rocky shores, immense numbers of seals, lobsters, crabs, wild fowl, feathers, and eggs. Their timber and skin trade is very considerable ; they are also ingenious carvers on wood, and have a general spirit of enquiry about them, which is greatly promoted by their public institutions for the welfare of Norway, and their schools for useful arts and sciences. The churches, the bishop's palace, the hospitals, mansions, &c, give this city an interesting and imposing appearance. Its strength is very considerable, being always well garrisoned, and kept in a complete state of defence, having castles, forts, and ramparts, well mounted with heavy cannon on the most commanding points for its protection. The inner harbour where the ships lic, has a strong chain boom, extending across its entrance, at the castle. Bergen and its environs are subject to incessant ram, fogs, and heavy clouds, which give the place a very gloomy aspect, rendered still more so by the broad shadows of the barren rocks. It is also subject to tempests, and bleak winds. The inhabitants of these northern regions are obliged to wear extra clothing. The tides of the north sea visit with their salt waters. This city formerly had to boast of its kings and eminent men. The learned Pontoppidan was a bishop of Bergen, where he wrote his esteemed History of Norway. The trade of this city for a long period, was wholly engrossed by the Hanseatic leaguers, who possessed fifty-eight large warehouses. By the vigorous and unceasing exertionsofßailifWalkendorf,theywereatlast expelled, since which period the place has gradually become more flourishing and populous. In the year 1790, the exports of fish alone amounted to 958,000 rix-dollars, and they have been annually increasing to this day.