FromthefortressIreturnedtomylodging，andquicklywastakenoutoftowntobeshownaprettyvilla，andEnglishgarden.ToaNorwegianbothmighthavebeenobjectsofcuriosity;andofuse，byexcitingtothecomparisonwhichleadstoimprovement.ButwhilstI
　　gazed，Iwasemployedinrestoringtheplacetonature，ortaste，bygivingitthecharacterofthesurroundingscene.Serpentinewalks，andflowering—shrubs，lookedtriflinginagrandrecessoftherooks，shadedbytoweringpines.Grovesofsmallertreesmighthavebeenshelteredunderthem，whichwouldhavemeltedintothelandscape，displayingonlytheartwhichoughttopointoutthevicinityofahumanabode，furnishedwithsomeelegance.Butfewpeoplehavesufficienttastetodiscern，thattheartofembellishingconsistsininteresting，notinastonishing.
　　Christianiaiscertainlyverypleasantlysituated，andtheenvironsIpassedthrough，duringthisride，affordedmanyfineandcultivatedprospects;but，exceptingthefirstviewapproachingtoit，rarelypresentanycombinationofobjectssostrikinglynew，orpicturesque，astocommandremembrance.Adieu！
　　LETTERXIV.
　　Christianiaisaclean，neatcity;butithasnoneofthegracesofarchitecture，whichoughttokeeppacewiththerefiningmannersofapeople——ortheoutsideofthehousewilldisgracetheinside，givingthebeholderanideaofovergrownwealthdevoidoftaste.
　　Largesquarewoodenhousesoffendtheeye，displayingmorethanGothicbarbarism.HugeGothicpiles，indeed，exhibitacharacteristicsublimity，andawildnessoffancypeculiartotheperiodwhentheywereerected;butsize，withoutgrandeurorelegance，hasanemphaticalstampofmeanness，ofpovertyofconception，whichonlyacommercialspiritcouldgive.
　　Thesamethoughthasstruckme，whenIhaveenteredthemeeting—
　　houseofmyrespectedfriend，Dr.Price.Iamsurprisedthatthedissenters，whohavenotlaidasideallthepompsandvanitiesoflife，shouldimagineanoblepillar，orarch，unhallowed.Whilstmenhavesenses，whateversoothesthemlendswingstodevotion;elsewhydothebeautiesofnature，whereallthatcharmthemarespreadaroundwithalavishhand，forceeventhesorrowinghearttoacknowledgethatexistenceisablessing？andthisacknowledgmentisthemostsublimehomagewecanpaytotheDeity.
　　Theargumentofconvenienceisabsurd.Whowouldlabourforwealth，ifitweretoprocurenothingbutconveniences.Ifwewishtorendermankindmoralfromprinciple，wemust，Iampersuaded，giveagreaterscopetotheenjoymentsofthesensesbyblendingtastewiththem.ThishasfrequentlyoccurredtomesinceIhavebeeninthenorth，andobservedthattheresanguinecharactersalwaystakerefugeindrunkennessafterthefireofyouthisspent.
　　ButIhaveflownfromNorway.Togobacktothewoodenhouses;
　　farmsconstructedwithlogs，andevenlittlevillages，hereerectedinthesamesimplemanner，haveappearedtomeverypicturesque.InthemoreremotepartsIhadbeenparticularlypleasedwithmanycottagessituatedclosetoabrook，orborderingonalake，withthewholefarmcontiguous.Asthefamilyincreases，alittlemorelandiscultivated;thusthecountryisobviouslyenrichedbypopulation.
　　Formerlythefarmersmightmorejustlyhavebeentermedwoodcutters.
　　Butnowtheyfinditnecessarytosparethewoodsalittle，andthischangewillbeuniversallybeneficial;forwhilsttheylivedentirelybysellingthetreestheyfelled，theydidnotpaysufficientattentiontohusbandry;consequently，advancedveryslowlyinagriculturalknowledge.Necessitywillinfuturemoreandmorespurthemon;fortheground，clearedofwood，mustbecultivated，orthefarmlosesitsvalue;thereisnowaitingforfoodtillanothergenerationofpinesbegrowntomaturity.
　　Thepeopleofpropertyareverycarefuloftheirtimber;and，ramblingthroughaforestnearTonsberg，belongingtotheCount，I
　　havestoppedtoadmiretheappearanceofsomeofthecottagesinhabitedbyawoodman’sfamily——amanemployedtocutdownthewoodnecessaryforthehouseholdandtheestate.Alittlelawnwascleared，onwhichseveralloftytreeswereleftwhichnaturehadgrouped，whilsttheencirclingfirssportedwithwildgrace.Thedwellingwasshelteredbytheforest，noblepinesspreadingtheirbranchesovertheroof;andbeforethedooracow，goat，nag，andchildren，seemedequallycontentwiththeirlot;andifcontentmentbeallwecanattain，itis，perhaps，bestsecuredbyignorance.
　　AsIhavebeenmostdelightedwiththecountrypartsofNorway，I
　　wassorrytoleaveChristianiawithoutgoingfarthertothenorth，thoughtheadvancingseasonadmonishedmetodepart，aswellasthecallsofbusinessandaffection.
　　JuneandJulyarethemonthstomakeatourthroughNorway;forthentheeveningsandnightsarethefinestIhaveeverseen;buttowardsthemiddleorlatterendofAugustthecloudsbegintogather，andsummerdisappearsalmostbeforeithasripenedthefruitofautumn——
　　even，asitwere，slipsfromyourembraces，whilstthesatisfiedsensesseemtorestinenjoyment.
　　Youwillask，perhaps，whyIwishedtogofarthernorthward.Why？
　　notonlybecausethecountry，fromallIcangather，ismostromantic，aboundinginforestsandlakes，andtheairpure，butI
　　haveheardmuchoftheintelligenceoftheinhabitants，substantialfarmers，whohavenoneofthatcunningtocontaminatetheirsimplicity，whichdispleasedmesomuchintheconductofthepeopleontheseacoast.Amanwhohasbeendetectedinanydishonestactcannolongerliveamongthem.Heisuniversallyshunned，andshamebecomestheseverestpunishment.
　　Suchacontempthavethey，infact，foreveryspeciesoffraud，thattheywillnotallowthepeopleonthewesterncoasttobetheircountrymen;somuchdotheydespisetheartsforwhichthosetraderswholiveontherocksarenotorious.
　　ThedescriptionIreceivedofthemcarriedmebacktothefablesofthegoldenage：independenceandvirtue;affluencewithoutvice;
　　cultivationofmind，withoutdepravityofheart;with"eversmilingLiberty;"thenymphofthemountain.Iwantfaith！
　　MyimaginationhurriesmeforwardtoseekanasyluminsucharetreatfromallthedisappointmentsIamthreatenedwith;butreasondragsmeback，whisperingthattheworldisstilltheworld，andmanthesamecompoundofweaknessandfolly，whomustoccasionallyexciteloveanddisgust，admirationandcontempt.Butthisdescription，thoughitseemstohavebeensketchedbyafairypencil，wasgivenmebyamanofsoundunderstanding，whosefancyseldomappearstorunawaywithhim.
　　AlawinNorway，termedtheodelsright，haslatelybeenmodified，andprobablywillbeabolishedasanimpedimenttocommerce.Theheirofanestatehadthepowerofre—purchasingitattheoriginalpurchasemoney，makingallowanceforsuchimprovementsaswereabsolutelynecessary，duringthespaceoftwentyyears.Atpresenttenisthetermallowedforafterthought;andwhentheregulationwasmade，allthemenofabilitieswereinvitedtogivetheiropinionwhetheritwerebettertoabrogateormodifyit.Itiscertainlyaconvenientandsafewayofmortgagingland;yetthemostrationalmenwhomIconversedwithonthesubjectseemedconvincedthattherightwasmoreinjuriousthanbeneficialtosociety;stillifitcontributetokeepthefarmsinthefarmers’ownhands，I
　　shouldbesorrytohearthatitwereabolished.
　　ThearistocracyinNorway，ifwekeepclearofChristiania，isfarfrombeingformidable;anditwillrequirealongthetoenablethemerchantstoattainasufficientmoneyedinteresttoinducethemtoreinforcetheupperclassattheexpenseoftheyeomanry，withwhomtheyareusuallyconnected.
　　EnglandandAmericaowetheirlibertytocommerce，whichcreatednewspeciesofpowertounderminethefeudalsystem.Butletthembewareoftheconsequence;thetyrannyofwealthisstillmoregallinganddebasingthanthatofrank.
　　Farewell！Imustprepareformydeparture.
　　LETTERXV.
　　IleftChristianiayesterday.Theweatherwasnotveryfine，andhavingbeenalittledelayedontheroad，Ifoundthatitwastoolatetogoround，acoupleofmiles，toseethecascadenearFredericstadt，whichIhaddeterminedtovisit.Besides，asFredericstadtisafortress，itwasnecessarytoarrivetherebeforetheyshutthegate.
　　Theroadalongtheriverisveryromantic，thoughtheviewsarenotgrand;andtherichesofNorway，itstimber，floatssilentlydownthestream，oftenimpededinitscoursebyislandsandlittlecataracts，theoffspring，asitwere，ofthegreatoneIhadfrequentlyhearddescribed.
　　IfoundanexcellentinnatFredericstadt，andwasgratifiedbythekindattentionofthehostess，who，perceivingthatmyclotheswerewet，tookgreatpainsprocureme，asastranger，everycomfortforthenight.
　　Ithadrainedveryhard，andwepassedtheferryinthedarkwithoutgettingoutofourcarriage，whichIthinkwrong，asthehorsesaresometimesunruly.Fatigueandmelancholy，however，hadmademeregardlesswhetherIwentdownoracrossthestream，andIdidnotknowthatIwaswetbeforethehostessmarkedit.Myimaginationhasneveryetseveredmefrommygriefs，andmymindhasseldombeensofreeastoallowmybodytobedelicate.
　　HowIamalteredbydisappointment！WhengoingtoLisbon，theelasticityofmymindwassufficienttowardoffweariness，andmyimaginationstillcoulddipherbrushintherainbowoffancy，andsketchfuturityinglowingcolours.Now——butletmetalkofsomethingelse——willyougowithmetothecascade？
　　Thecrossroadtoitwasruggedanddreary;andthoughaconsiderableextentoflandwascultivatedonallsides，yettherockswereentirelybare，whichsurprisedme，astheyweremoreonalevelwiththesurfacethananyIhadyetseen.Oninquiry，however，Ilearntthatsomeyearssinceaforesthadbeenburnt.
　　Thisappearanceofdesolationwasbeyondmeasuregloomy，inspiringemotionsthatsterilityhadneverproduced.Firesofthiskindareoccasionedbythewindsuddenlyrisingwhenthefarmersareburningrootsoftrees，stalksofbeans，&c，withwhichtheymanuretheground.Thedevastationmust，indeed，beterrible，whenthis，literallyspeaking，wildfire，runsalongtheforest，flyingfromtoptotop，andcracklingamongstthebranches.Thesoil，aswellasthetrees，issweptawaybythedestructivetorrent;andthecountry，despoiledofbeautyandriches，islefttomournforages.
　　Admiring，asIdo，thesenobleforests，whichseemtobiddefiancetotime，Ilookedwithpainontheridgeofrocksthatstretchedfarbeyondmyeye，formerlycrownedwiththemostbeautifulverdure.
　　Ihaveoftenmentionedthegrandeur，butIfeelmyselfunequaltothetaskofconveyinganideaofthebeautyandeleganceofthescenewhenthespirytopsofthepinesareloadedwithripeningseed，andthesungivesaglowtotheirlight—greentinge，whichischangingintopurple，onetreemoreorlessadvancedcontrastedwithanother.TheprofusionwithwhichNaturehasdeckedthemwithpendanthonours，preventsallsurpriseatseeingineverycrevicesomesaplingstrugglingforexistence.Vastmassesofstonearethusencircled，androotstornupbythestormsbecomeashelterforayounggeneration.Thepineandfirwoods，leftentirelytoNature，displayanendlessvariety;andthepathsinthewoodsarenotentangledwithfallenleaves，whichareonlyinterestingwhilsttheyareflutteringbetweenlifeanddeath.Thegreycobweb—likeappearanceoftheagedpinesisamuchfinerimageofdecay;thefibreswhiteningastheylosetheirmoisture，imprisonedlifeseemstobestealingaway.Icannottellwhy，butdeath，undereveryform，appearstomelikesomethinggettingfreetoexpandinIknownotwhatelement——nay，Ifeelthatthisconsciousbeingmustbeasunfettered，havethewingsofthought，beforeitcanbehappy.
　　Reachingthecascade，orrathercataract，theroaringofwhichhadalongtimeannounceditsvicinity，mysoulwashurriedbythefallsintoanewtrainofreflections.Theimpetuousdashingofthereboundingtorrentfromthedarkcavitieswhichmockedtheexploringeyeproducedanequalactivityinmymind.Mythoughtsdartedfromearthtoheaven，andIaskedmyselfwhyIwaschainedtolifeanditsmisery.Stillthetumultuousemotionsthissublimeobjectexcitedwerepleasurable;and，viewingit，mysoulrosewithreneweddignityaboveitscares.Graspingatimmortality——itseemedasimpossibletostopthecurrentofmythoughts，asofthealwaysvarying，stillthesame，torrentbeforeme;Istretchedoutmyhandtoeternity，boundingoverthedarkspeckoflifetocome.
　　Weturnedwithregretfromthecascade.Onalittlehill，whichcommandsthebestviewofit，severalobelisksareerectedtocommemoratethevisitsofdifferentkings.Theappearanceoftheriveraboveandbelowthefallsisverypicturesque，theruggednessofthescenerydisappearingasthetorrentsubsidesintoapeacefulstream.ButIdidnotliketoseeanumberofsaw—millscrowdedtogetherclosetothecataracts;theydestroyedtheharmonyoftheprospect.
　　Thesightofabridgeerectedacrossadeepvalley，atalittledistance，inspiredverydissimilarsensations.Itwasmostingeniouslysupportedbymast—liketrunks，juststrippedoftheirbranches;andlogs，placedoneacrosstheother，producedanappearanceequallylightandfirm，seemingalmosttobebuiltintheairwhenwewerebelowit，theheighttakingfromthemagnitudeofthesupportingtreesgivethemaslendergracefullook.
　　Therearetwonobleestatesinthisneighbourhood，theproprietorsofwhichseemtohavecaughtmorethantheirportionoftheenterprisingspiritthatisgoneabroad.Manyagriculturalexperimentshavebeenmade，andthecountryappearsbetterenclosedandcultivated，yetthecottageshadnotthecomfortableaspectofthoseIhadobservednearMossandtothewestward.Manisalwaysdebasedbyservitudeofanydescription，andherethepeasantryarenotentirelyfree.Adieu！
　　IalmostforgottotellyouthatIdidnotleaveNorwaywithoutmakingsomeinquiriesafterthemonsterssaidtohavebeenseeninthenorthernsea;butthoughIconversedwithseveralcaptains，I
　　couldnotmeetwithonewhohadeverheardanytraditionaldescriptionofthem，muchlesshadanyoculardemonstrationoftheirexistence.Tillthefactisbetterascertained，Ishouldthinktheaccountofthemoughttobetornoutofourgeographicalgrammars.
　　LETTERXVI.
　　IsetoutfromFredericstadtaboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon，andexpectedtoreachStromstadbeforethenightclosedin;butthewinddyingaway，theweatherbecamesocalmthatwescarcelymadeanyperceptibleadvancestowardstheoppositecoast，thoughthemenwerefatiguedwithrowing.
　　Gettingamongsttherocksandislandsasthemoonrose，andthestarsdartedforwardoutoftheclearexpanse，Iforgotthatthenightstoleonwhilstindulgingaffectionatereveries，thepoeticalfictionsofsensibility;Iwasnot，therefore，awareofthelengthoftimewehadbeentoilingtoreachStromstad.AndwhenIbegantolookaround，Ididnotperceiveanythingtoindicatethatwewereinitsneighbourhood.Sofarfromit，thatwhenIinquiredofthepilot，whospokealittleEnglish，IfoundthathewasonlyaccustomedtocoastalongtheNorwegianshore;andhadbeenonlyonceacrosstoStromstad.Buthehadbroughtwithhimafellowbetteracquainted，heassuredme，withtherocksbywhichtheyweretosteerourcourse，forwehadnotacompassonboard;yet，ashewashalfafool，Ihadlittleconfidenceinhisskill.Therewasthengreatreasontofearthatwehadlostourway，andwerestrayingamidstalabyrinthofrockswithoutaclue.
　　Thiswassomethinglikeanadventure，butnotofthemostagreeablecast;besides，IwasimpatienttoarriveatStromstad，tobeabletosendforwardthatnightaboytoorderhorsesontheroadtobeready，forIwasunwillingtoremainthereadaywithouthavinganythingtodetainmefrommylittlegirl，andfromtheletterswhichIwasimpatienttogetfromyou.
　　Ibegantoexpostulate，andeventoscoldthepilot，fornothavinginformedmeofhisignoranceprevioustomydeparture.Thismadehimrowwithmoreforce，andweturnedroundonerockonlytoseeanother，equallydestituteofthetokenswewereinsearchoftotelluswherewewere.Enteringalsointocreekaftercreekwhichpromisedtobetheentranceofthebaywewereseeking，weadvancedmerelytofindourselvesrunningaground.
　　Thesolitarinessofthescene，asweglidedunderthedarkshadowsoftherocks，pleasedmeforawhile;butthefearofpassingthewholenightthuswanderingtoandfro，andlosingthenextday，rousedme.Ibeggedthepilottoreturntooneofthelargestislands，atthesideofwhichwehadseenaboatmoored.Aswedrewnearer，alightthroughawindowonthesummitbecameourbeacon;
　　butwewerefartheroffthanIsupposed.
　　Withsomedifficultythepilotgotonshore，notdistinguishingthelanding—place;andIremainedintheboat，knowingthatallthereliefwecouldexpectwasamantodirectus.Afterwaitingsometime，forthereisaninsensibilityintheverymovementsofthesepeoplethatwouldwearymorethanordinarypatience，hebroughtwithhimamanwho，assistingthemtorow，welandedatStromstadalittleafteroneinthemorning.
　　Itwastoolatetosendoffaboy，butIdidnotgotobedbeforeI
　　hadmadethearrangementsnecessarytoenablemetosetoutasearlyaspossible.
　　Thesunrosewithsplendour.Mymindwastooactivetoallowmetoloiterlonginbed，thoughthehorsesdidnotarrivetillbetweensevenandeight.However，asIwishedtolettheboy，whowentforwardtoorderthehorses，getconsiderablythestartofme，I
　　bridledinmyimpatience.
　　Thisprecautionwasunavailing，forafterthethreefirstpostsI
　　hadtowaittwohours，whilstthepeopleatthepost—housewent，fairandsoftly，tothefarm，tobidthembringupthehorseswhichwerecarryinginthefirst—fruitsoftheharvest.Idiscoveredherethatthesesluggishpeasantshadtheirshareofcunning.Thoughtheyhadmademepayforahorse，theboyhadgoneonfoot，andonlyarrivedhalfanhourbeforeme.Thisdisconcertedthewholearrangementoftheday;andbeingdetainedagainthreehours，I
　　reluctantlydeterminedtosleepatQuistram，twopostsshortofUddervalla，whereIhadhopedtohavearrivedthatnight.
　　ButwhenIreachedQuistramIfoundIcouldnotapproachthedooroftheinnformen，horses，andcarts，cows，andpigshuddledtogether.
　　FromtheconcourseofpeopleIhadmetontheroadIconjecturedthattherewasafairintheneighbourhood;thiscrowdconvincedmethatitwasbuttootrue.Theboisterousmerrimentthatalmosteveryinstantproducedaquarrel，ormademedreadone，withthecloudsoftobacco，andfumesofbrandy，gaveaninfernalappearancetothescene.Therewaseverythingtodrivemeback，nothingtoexcitesympathyinarudetumultofthesenses，whichIforesawwouldendinagrossdebauch.Whatwastobedone？Nobedwastobehad，orevenaquietcornertoretiretoforamoment;allwaslostinnoise，riot，andconfusion.
　　Aftersomedebatingtheypromisedmehorses，whichweretogoontoUddervalla，twostages.Irequestedsomethingtoeatfirst，nothavingdined;andthehostess，whomIhavementionedtoyoubeforeasknowinghowtotakecareofherself，broughtmeaplateoffish，forwhichshechargedarix—dollarandahalf.Thiswasmakinghaywhilstthesunshone.Iwasgladtogetoutoftheuproar，thoughnotdisposedtotravelinanincommodiousopencarriageallnight，hadIthoughtthattherewasanychanceofgettinghorses.
　　QuittingQuistramImetanumberofjoyousgroups，andthoughtheeveningwasfreshmanywerestretchedonthegrasslikewearycattle;anddrunkenmenhadfallenbytheroad—side.Onarock，undertheshadeofloftytrees，alargepartyofmenandwomenhadlightedafire，cuttingdownfuelaroundtokeepitaliveallnight.
　　Theyweredrinking，smoking，andlaughingwithalltheirmightandmain.Ifeltforthetreeswhosetornbranchesstrewedtheground.
　　Haplessnymphs！yourhaunts，Ifear，werepollutedbymanyanunhallowedflame，thecasualburstofthemoment！
　　Thehorseswentonverywell;butwhenwedrewnearthepost—housethepostillionstoppedshortandneitherthreatsnorpromisescouldprevailonhimtogoforward.HeevenbegantohowlandweepwhenI
　　insistedonhiskeepinghisword.Nothing，indeed，canequalthestupidobstinacyofsomeofthesehalf—alivebeings，whoseemtohavebeenmadebyPrometheuswhenthefirehestolefromHeavenwassoexhaustedthathecouldonlyspareasparktogivelife，notanimation，totheinertclay.
　　Itwassometimebeforewecouldrouseanybody;and，asIexpected，horses，weweretold，couldnotbehadinlessthanfourorfivehours.Iagainattemptedtobribethechurlishbrutewhobroughtusthere，butIdiscoveredthat，inspiteofthecourteoushostess’spromises，hehadreceivedordersnottogoanyfather.
　　AstherewasnoremedyIentered，andwasalmostdrivenbackbythestench——asofterphrasewouldnothaveconveyedanideaofthehotvapourthatissuedfromanapartmentinwhichsomeeightortenpeopleweresleeping，nottoreckonthecatsanddogsstretchedonthefloor.Twoorthreeofthemenorwomenwereonthebenches，othersonoldchests;andonefigurestartedhalfoutofatrunktolookatme，whommighthavetakenforaghost，hadthechemisebeenwhite，tocontrastwiththesallowvisage.ButthecostumeofapparitionsnotbeingpreservedIpassed，nothingdreading，exceptingtheeffluvia，warilyamongstthepots，pans，milk—pails，andwashing—tubs.AfterscalingaruinousstaircaseIwasshownabed—chamber.Thebeddidnotinvitemetoenter;opening，therefore，thewindow，andtakingsomecleantowelsoutofmynight—
　　sack，Ispreadthemoverthecoverlid，onwhichtiredNaturefoundrepose，inspiteofthepreviousdisgust.
　　Withthegreyofthemornthebirdsawokeme;anddescendingtoinquireforthehorses，IhastenedthroughtheapartmentIhavealreadydescribed，notwishingtoassociatetheideaofapigstyewiththatofahumandwelling.
　　Idonotnowwonderthatthegirlslosetheirfinecomplexionsatsuchanearlyage，orthatlovehereismerelyanappetitetofulfilthemaindesignofNature，neverenlivenedbyeitheraffectionorsentiment.
　　Forafewpostswefoundthehorseswaiting;butafterwardsIwasretarded，asbefore，bythepeasants，who，takingadvantageofmyignoranceofthelanguage，mademepayforthefourthhorsethatoughttohavegoneforwardtohavetheothersinreadiness，thoughithadneverbeensent.Iwasparticularlyimpatientatthelastpost，asIlongedtoassuremyselfthatmychildwaswell.
　　Myimpatience，however，didnotpreventmyenjoyingthejourney.I
　　hadsixweeksbeforepassedoverthesameground;stillithadsufficientnoveltytoattractmyattention，andbeguile，ifnotbanish，thesorrowthathadtakenupitsabodeinmyheart.HowinterestingarethevariedbeautiesofNature，andwhatpeculiarcharmscharacteriseeachseason！Thepurplehuewhichtheheathnowassumedgaveitadegreeofrichnessthatalmostexceededthelustreoftheyounggreenofspring，andharmonisedexquisitelywiththeraysoftheripeningcorn.Theweatherwasuninterruptedlyfine，andthepeoplebusyinthefieldscuttingdownthecorn，orbindingupthesheaves，continuallyvariedtheprospect.Therocks，itistrue，wereunusuallyruggedanddreary;yetastheroadrunsforaconsiderablewaybythesideofafineriver，withextendedpasturesontheotherside，theimageofsterilitywasnotthepredominantobject，thoughthecottageslookedstillmoremiserable，afterhavingseentheNorwegianfarms.Thetreeslikewiseappearedofmegrowthofyesterday，comparedwiththoseNestorsoftheforestI
　　havefrequentlymentioned.Thewomenandchildrenwerecuttingoffbranchesfromthebeech，birch，oak，&c，andleavingthemtodry.
　　Thiswayofhelpingouttheirfodderinjuresthetrees.Butthewintersaresolongthatthepoorcannotaffordtolayinasufficientstockofhay.Bysuchmeanstheyjustkeeplifeinthepoorcows，forlittlemilkcanbeexpectedwhentheyaresomiserablyfed.
　　ItwasSaturday，andtheeveningwasuncommonlyserene.InthevillagesIeverywheresawpreparationsforSunday;andIpassedbyalittlecarloadedwithrye，thatpresented，forthepencilandheart，thesweetestpictureofaharvesthomeIhadeverbeheld.A
　　littlegirlwasmounteda—straddleonashaggyhorse，brandishingastickoveritshead;thefatherwaswalkingatthesideofthecarwithachildinhisarms，whomusthavecometomeethimwithtotteringsteps;thelittlecreaturewasstretchingoutitsarmstoclingroundhisneck;andaboy，justabovepetticoats，waslabouringhardwithaforkbehindtokeepthesheavesfromfalling.
　　Myeyesfollowedthemtothecottage，andaninvoluntarysighwhisperedtomyheartthatIenviedthemother，muchasIdislikecooking，whowaspreparingtheirpottage.Iwasreturningtomybabe，whomayneverexperienceafather’scareortenderness.Thebosomthatnurturedherheavedwithapangatthethoughtwhichonlyanunhappymothercouldfeel.
　　Adieu！
　　LETTERXVII.
　　IwasunwillingtoleaveGothenburgwithoutvisitingTrolhaettae.I
　　wishednotonlytoseethecascade，buttoobservetheprogressofthestupendousattempttoformacanalthroughtherocks，totheextentofanEnglishmileandahalf.
　　Thisworkiscarriedonbyacompany，whoemploydailyninehundredmen;fiveyearswasthetimementionedintheproposalsaddressedtothepublicasnecessaryforthecompletion.Amuchmoreconsiderablesumthantheplanrequireshasbeensubscribed，forwhichthereiseveryreasontosupposethepromoterswillreceiveampleinterest.
　　TheDanessurveytheprogressofthisworkwithajealouseye，asitisprincipallyundertakentogetclearoftheSoundduty.
　　ArrivedatTrolhaettae，Imustownthatthefirstviewofthecascadedisappointedme;andthesightoftheworks，astheyadvanced，thoughagrandproofofhumanindustry，wasnotcalculatedtowarmthefancy.I，however，wanderedabout;andatlastcomingtotheconfluxofthevariouscataractsrushingfromdifferentfalls，strugglingwiththehugemassesofrock，andreboundingfromtheprofoundcavities，Iimmediatelyretracted，acknowledgingthatitwasindeedagrandobject.Alittleislandstoodinthemidst，coveredwithfirs，which，bydividingthetorrent，rendereditmorepicturesque;onehalfappearingtoissuefromadarkcavern，thatfancymighteasilyimagineavastfountainthrowingupitswatersfromtheverycentreoftheearth.
　　IgazedIknownothowlong，stunnedwiththenoise，andgrowinggiddywithonlylookingatthenever—ceasingtumultuousmotion，I
　　listened，scarcelyconsciouswhereIwas，whenIobservedaboy，halfobscuredbythesparklingfoam，fishingundertheimpendingrockontheotherside.HowhehaddescendedIcouldnotperceive;
　　nothinglikehumanfootstepsappeared，andthehorrificcragsseemedtobiddefianceeventothegoat’sactivity.Itlookedlikeanabodeonlyfitfortheeagle，thoughinitscrevicessomepinesdarteduptheirspiralheads;buttheyonlygrewnearthecascade，everywhereelsesterilityitselfreignedwithdrearygrandeur;forthehugegreymassyrocks，whichprobablyhadbeentornasunderbysomedreadfulconvulsionofnature，hadnoteventheirfirstcoveringofalittlecleavingmoss.Thereweresomanyappearancestoexcitetheideaofchaos，that，insteadofadmiringthecanalandtheworks，greatastheyaretermed，andlittleastheyappear，I
　　couldnothelpregrettingthatsuchanoblescenehadnotbeenleftinallitssolitarysublimity.Amidsttheawfulroaringoftheimpetuoustorrents，thenoiseofhumaninstrumentsandthebustleofworkmen，eventheblowingupoftherockswhengrandmassestrembledinthedarkenedair，onlyresembledtheinsignificantsportofchildren.
　　Onefallofwater，partlymadebyart，whentheywereattemptingtoconstructsluices，hadanuncommonlygrandeffect;thewaterprecipitateditselfwithimmensevelocitydownaperpendicular，atleastfiftyorsixtyyards，intoagulf，soconcealedbythefoamastogivefullplaytothefancy.Therewasacontinualuproar.I
　　stoodonarocktoobserveit，akindofbridgeformedbynature，nearlyonalevelwiththecommencementofthefall.AftermusingbyitalongtimeIturnedtowardstheotherside，andsawagentlestreamstraycalmlyout.IshouldhaveconcludedthatithadnocommunicationwiththetorrenthadInotseenahugelogthatfellheadlongdownthecascadestealpeacefullyintothepurlingstream.
　　Iretiredfromthesewildsceneswithregrettoamiserableinn，andnextmorningreturnedtoGothenburg，toprepareformyjourneytoCopenhagen.
　　IwassorrytoleaveGothenburgwithouttravellingfartherintoSweden，yetIimagineIshouldonlyhaveseenaromanticcountrythinlyinhabited，andtheseinhabitantsstrugglingwithpoverty.
　　TheNorwegianpeasantry，mostlyindependent，havearoughkindoffranknessintheirmanner;buttheSwedish，renderedmoreabjectbymisery，haveadegreeofpolitenessintheiraddresswhich，thoughitmaysometimesborderoninsincerity，isoftenertheeffectofabrokenspirit，rathersoftenedthandegradedbywretchedness.
　　InNorwaytherearenonotesincirculationoflessvaluethanaSwedishrix—dollar.Asmallsilvercoin，commonlynotworthmorethanapenny，andnevermorethantwopence，servesforchange;butinSwedentheyhavenotesaslowassixpence.Ineversawanysilverpiecesthere，andcouldnotwithoutdifficulty，andgivingapremium，obtainthevalueofarix—dollarinalargecoppercointogiveawayontheroadtothepoorwhoopenthegates.
　　AsanotherproofofthepovertyofSweden，Ioughttomentionthatforeignmerchantswhohaveacquiredafortunethereareobligedtodepositthesixthpartwhentheyleavethekingdom.Thislaw，youmaysuppose，isfrequentlyevaded.
　　Infact，thelawshere，aswellasinNorway，aresorelaxedthattheyratherfavourthanrestrainknavery.
　　WhilstIwasatGothenburg，amanwhohadbeenconfinedforbreakingopenhismaster’sdeskandrunningawaywithfiveorsixthousandrix—dollars，wasonlysentencedtofortydays’confinementonbreadandwater;andthisslightpunishmenthisrelationsrenderednugatorybysupplyinghimwithmoresavouryfood.
　　TheSwedesareingeneralattachedtotheirfamilies，yetadivorcemaybeobtainedbyeitherpartyonprovingtheinfidelityoftheotheroracknowledgingitthemselves.Thewomendonotoftenrecurtothisequalprivilege，fortheyeitherretaliateontheirhusbandsbyfollowingtheirowndevicesorsinkintothemerestdomesticdrudges，worndownbytyrannytoservilesubmission.DonottermmesevereifIadd，thatafteryouthisflownthehusbandbecomesasot，andthewifeamusesherselfbyscoldingherservants.Infact，whatistobeexpectedinanycountrywheretasteandcultivationofminddonotsupplytheplaceofyouthfulbeautyandanimalspirits？
　　Affectionrequiresafirmerfoundationthansympathy，andfewpeoplehaveaprincipleofactionsufficientlystabletoproducerectitudeoffeeling;forinspiteofalltheargumentsIhaveheardtojustifydeviationsfromduty，Iampersuadedthateventhemostspontaneoussensationsaremoreunderthedirectionofprinciplethanweakpeoplearewillingtoallow.
　　Butadieutomoralising.IhavebeenwritingtheselastsheetsataninninElsineur，whereIamwaitingforhorses;andastheyarenotyetready，IwillgiveyouashortaccountofmyjourneyfromGothenburg，forIsetoutthemorningafterIreturnedfromTrolhaettae.
　　Thecountryduringthefirstday’sjourneypresentedamostbarrenappearance，asrocky，yetnotsopicturesqueasNorway，becauseonadiminutivescale.WestoppedtosleepatatolerableinninFalckersberg，adecentlittletown.
　　Thenextdaybeechesandoaksbegantogracetheprospects，theseaeverynowandthenappearingtogivethemdignity.Icouldnotavoidobservingalso，thateveninthispartofSweden，oneofthemoststerile，asIwasinformed，therewasmoregroundundercultivationthaninNorway.Plainsofvariedcropsstretchedouttoaconsiderableextent，andslopeddowntotheshore，nolongerterrific.And，asfarasIcouldjudge，fromglancingmyeyeoverthecountryaswedrovealong，agriculturewasinamoreadvancedstate，thoughinthehabitationsagreaterappearanceofpovertystillremained.Thecottages，indeed，oftenlookedmostuncomfortable，butneversomiserableasthoseIhadremarkedontheroadtoStromstad，andthetownswereequal，ifnotsuperior，tomanyofthelittletownsinWales，orsomeIhavepassedthroughinmywayfromCalaistoParis.
　　Theinnsasweadvancedwerenottobecomplainedof，unlessIhadalwaysthoughtofEngland.Thepeoplewerecivil，andmuchmoremoderateintheirdemandsthantheNorwegians，particularlytothewestward，wheretheyboldlychargeforwhatyouneverhad，andseemtoconsideryou，astheydoawreck，ifnotaslawfulprey，yetasaluckychance，whichtheyoughtnottoneglecttoseize.
　　TheprospectofElsineur，aswepassedtheSound，waspleasant.I
　　gavethreerix—dollarsformyboat，includingsomethingtodrink.I
　　mentionthesum，becausetheyimposeonstrangers.
　　Adieu！tillIarriveatCopenhagen.
　　LETTERXVIII.——COPENHAGEN.
　　ThedistancefromElsineurtoCopenhagenistwenty—twomiles;theroadisverygood，overaflatcountrydiversifiedwithwood，mostlybeech，anddecentmansions.Thereappearedtobeagreatquantityofcornland，andthesoillookedmuchmorefertilethanitisingeneralsonearthesea.Therisinggrounds，indeed，wereveryfew，andaroundCopenhagenitisaperfectplain;ofcoursehasnothingtorecommenditbutcultivation，notdecorations.IfIsaythatthehousesdidnotdisgustme，ItellyouallIrememberofthem，forI
　　cannotrecollectanypleasurablesensationstheyexcited，orthatanyobject，producedbynatureorart，tookmeoutofmyself.Theviewofthecity，aswedrewnear，wasrathergrand，butwithoutanystrikingfeaturetointeresttheimagination，exceptingthetreeswhichshadethefootpaths.
　　JustbeforeIreachedCopenhagenIsawanumberoftentsonawideplain，andsupposedthattherageforencampmentshadreachedthiscity;butIsoondiscoveredthattheyweretheasylumofmanyofthepoorfamilieswhohadbeendrivenoutoftheirhabitationsbythelatefire.
　　Enteringsoonafter，Ipassedamongstthedustandrubbishithadleft，affrightedbyviewingtheextentofthedevastation，foratleastaquarterofthecityhadbeendestroyed.Therewaslittleintheappearanceoffallenbricksandstacksofchimneystoalluretheimaginationintosoothingmelancholyreveries;nothingtoattracttheeyeoftaste，butmuchtoafflictthebenevolentheart.Thedepredationsoftimehavealwayssomethinginthemtoemploythefancy，orleadtomusingonsubjectswhich，withdrawingthemindfromobjectsofsense，seemtogiveitnewdignity;buthereIwastreadingonliveashes.Thesuffererswerestillunderthepressureofthemiseryoccasionedbythisdreadfulconflagration.Icouldnottakerefugeinthethought：theysuffered，buttheyarenomore！areflectionIfrequentlysummontocalmmymindwhensympathyrisestoanguish.Ithereforedesiredthedrivertohastentothehotelrecommendedtome，thatImightavertmyeyesandsnapthetrainofthinkingwhichhadsentmeintoallthecornersofthecityinsearchofhouselessheads.
　　ThismorningIhavebeenwalkingroundthetown，tillIamwearyofobservingtheravages.IhadoftenheardtheDanes，eventhosewhohadseenParisandLondon，speakofCopenhagenwithrapture.
　　CertainlyIhaveseenitinaverydisadvantageouslight，someofthebeststreetshavingbeenburnt，andthewholeplacethrownintoconfusion.Stilltheutmostthatcan，orcouldever，Ibelieve，havebeensaidinitspraise，mightbecomprisedinafewwords.
　　Thestreetsareopen，andmanyofthehouseslarge;butIsawnothingtorousetheideaofeleganceorgrandeur，ifIexceptthecircuswherethekingandprinceroyalreside.
　　Thepalace，whichwasconsumedabouttwoyearsago，musthavebeenahandsome，spaciousbuilding;thestone—workisstillstanding，andagreatnumberofthepoor，duringthelatefire，tookrefugeinitsruinstilltheycouldfindsomeotherabode.Bedswerethrownonthelanding—placesofthegrandstaircase，wherewholefamiliescreptfromthecold，andeverylittlenookisboardedupasaretreatforsomepoorcreaturesdeprivedoftheirhome.Atpresentaroofmaybesufficienttoshelterthemfromthenightair;butastheseasonadvances，theextentofthecalamitywillbemoreseverelyfelt，Ifear，thoughtheexertionsonthepartofGovernmentareveryconsiderable.Privatecharityhasalso，nodoubt，donemuchtoalleviatethemiserywhichobtrudesitselfateveryturn;still，publicspiritappearstometobehardlyalivehere.Haditexisted，theconflagrationmighthavebeensmotheredinthebeginning，asitwasatlast，bytearingdownseveralhousesbeforetheflameshadreachedthem.Tothistheinhabitantswouldnotconsent;andtheprinceroyalnothavingsufficientenergyofcharactertoknowwhenheoughttobeabsolute，calmlyletthempursuetheirowncourse，tillthewholecityseemedtobethreatenedwithdestruction.Adhering，withpuerilescrupulosity，tothelawwhichhehasimposedonhimself，ofactingexactlyright，hedidwrongbyidlylamentingwhilsthemarkedtheprogressofamischiefthatonedecidedstepwouldhavestopped.Hewasafterwardsobligedtoresorttoviolentmeasures;butthen，whocouldblamehim？And，toavoidcensure，whatsacrificesarenotmadebyweakminds？
　　Agentlemanwhowasawitnessofthesceneassuredme，likewise，thatifthepeopleofpropertyhadtakenhalfasmuchpainstoextinguishthefireastopreservetheirvaluablesandfurniture，itwouldsoonhavebeengotunder.Buttheywhowerenotimmediatelyindangerdidnotexertthemselvessufficiently，tillfear，likeanelectricalshock，rousedalltheinhabitantstoasenseofthegeneralevil.Eventhefire—engineswereoutoforder，thoughtheburningofthepalaceoughttohaveadmonishedthemofthenecessityofkeepingtheminconstantrepair.ButthiskindofindolencerespectingwhatdoesnotimmediatelyconcernthemseemstocharacterisetheDanes.Asluggishconcentrationinthemselvesmakesthemsocarefultopreservetheirproperty，thattheywillnotventureonanyenterprisetoincreaseitinwhichthereisashadowofhazard.
　　ConsideringCopenhagenasthecapitalofDenmarkandNorway，IwassurprisednottoseesomuchindustryortasteasinChristiania.
　　Indeed，fromeverythingIhavehadanopportunityofobserving，theDanesarethepeoplewhohavemadethefewestsacrificestothegraces.
　　Themenofbusinessaredomestictyrants，coldlyimmersedintheirownaffairs，andsoignorantofthestateofothercountries，thattheydogmaticallyassertthatDenmarkisthehappiestcountryintheworld;thePrinceRoyalthebestofallpossibleprinces;andCountBernstorffthewisestofministers.
　　Asforthewomen，theyaresimplynotablehousewives;withoutaccomplishmentsoranyofthecharmsthatadornmoreadvancedsociallife.Thistotalignorancemayenablethemtosavesomethingintheirkitchens，butitisfarfromrenderingthembetterparents.
　　Onthecontrary，thechildrenarespoiled，astheyusuallyarewhenlefttothecareofweak，indulgentmothers，whohavingnoprincipleofactiontoregulatetheirfeelings，becometheslavesofinfants，enfeeblingbothbodyandmindbyfalsetenderness.
　　Iam，perhaps，alittleprejudiced，asIwritefromtheimpressionofthemoment;forIhavebeentormentedto—daybythepresenceofunrulychildren，andmadeangrybysomeinvectivesthrownoutagainstthematernalcharacteroftheunfortunateMatilda.Shewascensured，withthemostcruelinsinuation，forhermanagementofherson，though，fromwhatIcouldgather，shegaveproofsofgoodsenseaswellastendernessinherattentiontohim.Sheusedtobathehimherselfeverymorning;insistedonhisbeinglooselyclad;andwouldnotpermithisattendantstoinjurehisdigestionbyhumouringhisappetite.Shewasequallycarefultopreventhisacquiringhaughtyairs，andplayingthetyrantinleading—strings.TheQueenDowagerwouldnotpermithertosucklehim;butthenextchildbeingadaughter，andnottheHeir—ApparentoftheCrown，lessoppositionwasmadetoherdischargingthedutyofamother.
　　PoorMatilda！thouhasthauntedmeeversincemayarrival;andtheviewIhavehadofthemannersofthecountry，excitingmysympathy，hasincreasedmyrespectforthymemory.
　　Iamnowfullyconvincedthatshewasthevictimofthepartyshedisplaced，whowouldhaveoverlookedorencouragedherattachment，hadnotherlover，aimingatbeinguseful，attemptedtooverturnsomeestablishedabusesbeforethepeople，ripeforthechange，hadsufficientspirittosupporthimwhenstrugglingintheirbehalf.
　　SuchindeedwastheasperitysharpenedagainstherthatIhaveheardher，evenaftersomanyyearshaveelapsed，chargedwithlicentiousness，notonlyforendeavouringtorenderthepublicamusementsmoreelegant，butforherverycharities，becausesheerected，amongstotherinstitutions，ahospitaltoreceivefoundlings.Disgustedwithmanycustomswhichpassforvirtues，thoughtheyarenothingmorethanobservancesofforms，oftenattheexpenseoftruth，sheprobablyranintoanerrorcommontoinnovators，inwishingtodoimmediatelywhatcanonlybedonebytime.
　　ManyverycogentreasonshavebeenurgedbyherfriendstoprovethatheraffectionforStruenseewasnevercarriedtothelengthallegedagainstherbythosewhofearedherinfluence.Bethatasitmayshecertainlywasnoawomanofgallantry，andifshehadanattachmentforhimitdidnotdisgraceherheartorunderstanding，thekingbeinganotoriousdebaucheeandanidiotintothebargain.
　　Astheking’sconducthadalwaysbeendirectedbysomefavourite，theyalsoendeavouredtogovernhim，fromaprincipleofself—
　　preservationaswellasalaudableambition;but，notawareoftheprejudicestheyhadtoencounter，thesystemtheyadopteddisplayedmorebenevolenceofheartthansoundnessofjudgment.Astothecharge，stillbelieved，oftheirgivingtheKingdrugstoinjurehisfaculties，itistooabsurdtoberefuted.Theiroppressorshadbetterhaveaccusedthemofdabblingintheblackart，forthepotentspellstillkeepshiswitsinbondage.
　　IcannotdescribetoyoutheeffectithadonmetoseethispuppetofamonarchmovedbythestringswhichCountBernstorffholdsfast;
　　sit，withvacanteye，erect，receivingthehomageofcourtierswhomockhimwithashowofrespect.Heis，infact，merelyamachineofstate，tosubscribethenameofakingtotheactsoftheGovernment，which，toavoiddanger，havenovalueunlesscountersignedbythePrinceRoyal;forheisallowedtobeabsolutelyaimidiot，exceptingthatnowandthenanobservationortrickescapeshim，whichlooksmorelikemadnessthanimbecility.
　　Whatafarceislife.Thiseffigyofmajestyisallowedtoburndowntothesocket，whilstthehaplessMatildawashurriedintoanuntimelygrave.
　　"Asfliestowantonboys，arewetothegods;
　　Theykillusfortheirsport."
　　Adieu！
　　LETTERXIX.
　　BusinesshavingobligedmetogoafewmilesoutoftownthismorningIwassurprisedatmeetingacrowdofpeopleofeverydescription，andinquiringthecauseofaservant，whospokeFrench，Iwasinformedthatamanhadbeenexecutedtwohoursbefore，andthebodyafterwardsburnt.Icouldnothelplookingwithhorroraround——thefieldslosttheirverdure——andIturnedwithdisgustfromthewell—dressedwomenwhowerereturningwiththeirchildrenfromthissight.Whataspectacleforhumanity！Theseeingsuchaflockofidlegazersplungedmeintoatrainofreflectionsontheperniciouseffectsproducedbyfalsenotionsofjustice.AndIampersuadedthattillcapitalpunishmentsareentirelyabolishedexecutionsoughttohaveeveryappearanceofhorrorgiventothem，insteadofbeing，astheyarenow，asceneofamusementforthegapingcrowd，wheresympathyisquicklyeffacedbycuriosity.
　　Ihavealwaysbeenofopinionthattheallowingactorstodieinthepresenceoftheaudiencehasanimmoraltendency，buttriflingwhencomparedwiththeferocityacquiredbyviewingtherealityasashow;foritseemstomethatinallcountriesthecommonpeoplegotoexecutionstoseehowthepoorwretchplayshispart，ratherthantocommiseratehisfate，muchlesstothinkofthebreachofmoralitywhichhasbroughthimtosuchadeplorableend.
　　Consequentlyexecutions，farfrombeingusefulexamplestothesurvivors，have，Iampersuaded，aquitecontraryeffect，byhardeningthehearttheyoughttoterrify.Besidesthefearofanignominiousdeath，Ibelieve，neverdeferredanyonefromthecommissionofacrime，because，incommittingit，themindisrousedtoactivityaboutpresentcircumstances.Itisagameathazard，atwhichallexpecttheturnofthedieintheirownfavour，neverreflectingonthechanceofruintillitcomes.Infact，fromwhatIsawinthefortressesofNorway，Iammoreandmoreconvincedthatthesameenergyofcharacterwhichrendersamanadaringvillainwouldhaverenderedhimusefultosociety，hadthatsocietybeenwellorganised.Whenastrongmindisnotdisciplinedbycultivationitisasenseofinjusticethatrendersitunjust.
　　Executions，however，occurveryrarelyatCopenhagen;fortimidity，ratherthanclemency，palsiesalltheoperationsofthepresentGovernment.Themalefactorwhodiedthismorningwouldnot，probably，havebeenpunishedwithdeathatanyotherperiod;butanincendiaryexcitesuniversalexecration;andasthegreaterpartoftheinhabitantsarestilldistressedbythelateconflagration，anexamplewasthoughtabsolutelynecessary;though，fromwhatIcangather，thefirewasaccidental.
　　Not，butthatIhaveveryseriouslybeeninformed，thatcombustiblematerialswereplacedatproperdistance，bytheemissariesofMr.
　　Pitt;and，tocorroboratethefact，manypeopleinsistthattheflamesburstoutatonceindifferentpartsofthecity;notallowingthewindtohaveanyhandinit.Somuchfortheplot.
　　Butthefabricatorsofplotsinallcountriesbuildtheirconjecturesonthe"baselessfabricofavision;"anditseemsevenasortofpoeticaljustice，thatwhilstthisMinisteriscrushingathomeplotsofhisownconjuringup，ontheContinent，andinthenorth，heshould，withaslittlefoundation，beaccusedofwishingtosettheworldonfire.
　　Iforgottomentiontoyou，thatIwasinformed，byamanofveracity，thattwopersonscametothestaketodrinkaglassofthecriminal’sblood，asaninfallibleremedyfortheapoplexy.AndwhenIanimadvertedinthecompany，whereitwasmentioned，onsuchahorribleviolationofnature，aDanishladyreprovedmeveryseverely，askinghowIknewthatitwasnotacureforthedisease？
　　adding，thateveryattemptwasjustifiableinsearchofhealth.I
　　didnot，youmayimagine，enterintoanargumentwithapersontheslaveofsuchagrossprejudice.AndIalludetoitnotonlyasatraitoftheignoranceofthepeople，buttocensuretheGovernmentfornotpreventingscenesthatthrowanodiumonthehumanrace.
　　EmpiricismisnotpeculiartoDenmark;andIknownowayofrootingitout，thoughitbearemnantofexplodedwitchcraft，tilltheacquiringageneralknowledgeofthecomponentpartsofthehumanframebecomesapartofpubliceducation.
　　Sincethefire，theinhabitantshavebeenveryassiduouslyemployedinsearchingforpropertysecretedduringtheconfusion;anditisastonishinghowmanypeople，formerlytermedreputable，hadavailedthemselvesofthecommoncalamitytopurloinwhattheflamesspared.
　　Others，expertatmakingadistinctionwithoutadifference，concealedwhattheyfound，nottroublingthemselvestoinquirefortheowners，thoughtheyscrupledtosearchforplunderanywhere，butamongsttheruins.
　　Tobehonesterthanthelawsrequireisbymostpeoplethoughtaworkofsupererogation;andtoslipthroughthegrateofthelawhaseverexercisedtheabilitiesofadventurers，whowishtogetrichtheshortestway.Knaverywithoutpersonaldangerisanartbroughttogreatperfectionbythestatesmanandswindler;andmeanerknavesarenottardyinfollowingtheirfootsteps.
　　Itmovesmygalltodiscoversomeofthecommercialfraudspractisedduringthepresentwar.Inshort，underwhateverpointofviewI
　　considersociety，itappearstomethatanadorationofpropertyistherootofallevil.Hereitdoesnotrenderthepeopleenterprising，asinAmerica，butthriftyandcautious.Inever，therefore，wasinacapitalwheretherewassolittleappearanceofactiveindustry;andasforgaiety，IlookedinvainforthesprightlygaitoftheNorwegians，whoineveryrespectappeartometohavegotthestartofthem.ThisdifferenceIattributetotheirhavingmoreliberty——alibertywhichtheythinktheirrightbyinheritance，whilsttheDanes，whentheyboastoftheirnegativehappiness，alwaysmentionitastheboonofthePrinceRoyal，underthesuperintendingwisdomofCountBernstorff.Vassalageisneverthelessceasingthroughoutthekingdom，andwithitwillpassawaythatsordidavaricewhicheverymodificationofslaveryiscalculatedtoproduce.