File:View from Egeberg (JW Edy plate 54).jpg

This view was taken on the declivity of the farthest point of Egeberg, where its sides descend precipitously into the Fiord nearly opposite the castle. To form a faint idea of the expanse of the country and the waters about Christiania, it is necessary to place this and the following view, No. 55 together, which comprehend the whole scene, as beheld from this spot, presenting the appearance of an extensive and beautiful lake. It was deemed expedient to divide it on two plates, calculated to match exactly, in order to shew the parts on a larger scale, and at the same time adhere to the rule originally adopted, of having no folding plates in this work. On a line from the castle to the left, are two of the Crown islands; they are covered with short burnt grass, which gives them a brown aspect, and are inhabited by two or three fishermen, with their families.

On the long island, or isthmus, a little above them, are the summer residences of the governor of Christiania, and the commandant of the castle of Aggerhus. A few other islands are seen in succession down the Fiord. The ship seen under sail, indicates by its position the deep channel leading into the port, which lies between the garrison and Egeberg ; the water seen over its masts, extending from the main land to the point of the governor's island, is shallow, and used by boats only. The great points of attraction in this view, are the three mountains of similar form, seen in the distance, terminating abruptly with precipices near the high road, leading from Christiania to Dram and Konsberg, which after coasting the shore, leads up the side and over the top of one of them. All ships passing to or from Christiania, are most advantageously seen from the foreground of the picture.

In the woods of this mountain Egeberg, the cadets from the military school exercise themselves in manæuvring, and shooting with the rifle-gun. One of their excursions took place when I was occupied with this view. Having descried me, half-a-dozen of them silently approached within gun shot, and lay in ambush on their stomachs and backs, concealed by the bushes and trees, attentively observing my motions; a rustling among the leaves drew my attention, and I saw the muzzles of their guns levelled at me, which caused some merriment, and afforded me an opportunity of seeing many of their extraordinary feats in military tactics, and of their skill with the rifle-gun in bush-fighting. The Norwegians certainly excel all others in the use of this little piece ; even a peasants boy will hit a bird flying, in the eye or head, with a ball from a gun of the rudest materials, a vile barrel, a Dutch lock, set in a deal stock, fashioned with his knife, and charged moreover with bad powder. If be by chance miss his aim, he is rebuked severely and repeatedly, for wasting the powder and shot, until he is master of some secret unerring principles, known only to the adepts themselves.