File:Town of Krageröe (JW Edy plate 26).jpg

Passing through the narrow pass of Porter, you enter a spacious inlet of the sea, from which there is a distant prospect of Krageröe, situated on the main land within a cluster of islands, and immediately under a high and perpendicular rock of considerable extent, the top of which is covered with a large forest of firs, and forms a grand feature from the harbour.

What has been said relative to the amazing variety perceptible in the physical properties of Norway, is equally applicable to her moral qualities. Let, however, a Norwegian writer,¹ speak on this subject. "The Norwegian nation differs much from other nations, nay even from the Danish, although both have now been under one government for many centuries ; and although many Danes above the rank of peasants, especially public functionaries, are intermingled with the Norwegians. Foreigners, who know nothing of the nation, imagine to find a rude people, living among rocks in a rigorous climate, detached from the cultivated and polished parts of Europe. Their ideas of the Norwegians resemble those which they may entertain of Russian boors, who are indebted to others for any culture they may possess ; but for the rest, draw no distinction between the Norwegians and their rocks. A knowledge of the pure and natural character of this nation, will, however, lead to different conclusions. The Norwegian, in point of natural endowments and animation, is superior to a Dane, and still more so to a Dutchman. He does not possess the volatility of a Frenchman, but rather approximates to an Englishman, without, however, being subject to his spleen. The cheerfulness of a Norwegian is accompanied by frankness ; to servile fear even the peasant is a stranger. The Norwegian boor rises contented from a meal which a Danish peasant would set before his cattle only, and, with alacrity, leaves a place of rest with which a Zealand rustic, however mean his condition might be, would not be satisfied. The coarse jacket of the Norwegian covers a noble heart; nor does he envy the possessor of the splendid gifts of fortune. He speaks freely but considerately, and knows how to venerate himself as man. Although he has in the course of his labours to contend with great difficulties of climate, he is never tempted to leave his penurious soil with a view to settle in the exuberant regions of America or Russia. He is deliberate, and startles at the bare idea of blind obedience. Courage, generosity, fidelity and hospitality, are peculiar to the Norwegian. Any corruption of manners and morals, which may be perceived among the common people of Norway, is to be ascribed to the sea-port towns, and to foreigners. Before the year 1717, the commonalty of Norway were strangers to the venereal disease; and not until the year 1763 did they know of putrid fevers, which were imported by the Norwegian army, which had been campaigning in Holstein, and have since at different times raged with all the violence of a plague. The common people of Norway place an implicit belief in nothing so much as in fato turcico, or an irresistible fate. In regard to any diseases with which they may be afflicted, they conceive everything to be arranged or ordained, and deem it a most presumptuous offence against God and Providence to have recourse to medicaments. The Norwegian nation is eminently qualified for every art and science ; and numerous peasants of fine genius are to be met with in all parts of the country. The common people have, in particular, an excellent turn for mechanics, and manufacture clocks and hand-organs to great perfection, thus resembling the mountaineers of Neufchatel in Switzerland. Most Norwegian peasants use their pocket-knives in carving wood,² and have done so from time immemorial. The Norwegians also possess great natural talents for poetry, especially on such subjects as raise the soul above ordinary occurrences."

In addition to the remarks of Professor Wilse, it may not be improper to offer the following testimony to the Norwegian character. "There is something extremely pleasing in the Norwegian style of character. The Norwegian expresses firmness and elevation in all that he says or does. In comparison with the Danes, he has always been a free man, and you read his history in his looks. He is not apt, to be sure, to forgive his enemies, but he does not deserve any, for he is hospitable in the extreme, and prevents the needy in their wants.³

1.^ Travels of Professor Wilse, Vol. I. page 24.

2.^ The above is a confirmation of Dr. Johnson's statement: « The boor of Norway is said to make all his own utensils." Journey to the Western Islands, page 175.

3.^ Edinburgh Review, No. IV. Art. 11. Tableau des Etats Danois, par Catteau, page 306.