File:City of Bergen (JW Edy plate 76).jpg

This view of the city of Bergen was taken on a rock, under the walls of the fortifications of the round fort, looking over the north harbour, towards a rocky mountain, which presents a most conspicuous feature on the approach to the town from the sea. It is one of those table mountains with nearly perpendicular sides, which are peculiar to this part of Norway. They are almost inaccessible, and afford shelter to birds only. Along the shores to the city are many fair houses and wharfs. This little harbour being in many parts shallow, is not much used by large vessels, except when laying up, or repairing, &c. The guns of the fort entirely command it. This view is a continuation of the country extending to the right of North Bergen, and joining that city, as seen in plate 77. The high road from Drontheim enters it, and facilitates a great deal of inland traffic among the mountainous peasantry, who are situated in perhaps the most rugged part of the country. The way from Bergen to Christiania traverses those vast ranges of mountains called Hardangerfield, which intersect Norway. The traveller in passing along it, finds incessant cause of alarm in the incessant roaring of cataracts, rapid rivers with crazy bridges, howling of wild beasts, screaming of discordant birds, and other circumstances of wild desolation. There is scarcely a tree or shrub to be seen; in some places the mountains are covered with perpetual snows. On a journey through this dreadful region, the traveller always ascending or descending barren mountains or rocks, and encountering blasts in the vallies, seated in an open carriage, on the worst road in the universe, is kept in continual fear and agitation. On arriving on the table height of one of those high mountains, a desert plain, forty miles in length presents itself, about the centre of which, a house has been erected by order of the king, for temporary protection from savage beasts, and for the convenience of shelter to the weary or benighted traveller going over this horrible territory. From the intensity of the cold of its climate it is not permanently inhabitable. Within the house, are only a few benches, and hearths. The traveller is warned to provide himself with victuals, flint, steel, fuel, and provender for his horses and dogs. On his arrival, he finds the key in the key-hole outside of the door, which he is required to unlock and place in the same direction on leaving the place, for the next corner. Strangers are sometimes traced hither and beset by bears and wolves during their nocturnal repose; and lamentable consequences have ensued through carelessness. The place is twenty miles distant from every other habitation, and is generally sur rounded with snows. Inscribed on its walls and windows are many poetical lines, and addresses of persons, who have occasionally stopped to partake of its hospitable shelter, and it is delightful to observe the anxious solicitude, and reverential attention paid to it by the uneducated boor, as well as by all travellers, to avert the least act of wanton injury or dilapidation from these premises, which all mankind would justly condemn as a most impious offence.