A Visit to Norway.

No. VI.

BY REV. WILLIAM ORTON.

WE are away to the metropolis. The distance is about ninety miles. It is five o'clock. The sun is shining after the rain. As the train glides out of the station we take our last glimpse of Kongsberg. On we pass through fjeld and forest-now entering unexpectedly into a tunnel, and then passing out on the face of a rocky mountain, at one time shut in by pine trees, and at another admiring a fjord spreading out its bright waters far below the level. on which we are travelling, and looking like a mirror set in a framework of trees and towns and lofty hills. How pleasant, too, to see the white mists creeping about the mountains, here lying at the foot, there lingering half-way up, and yonder rising above the summit like a pillar of cloud!

A CORN-FIELD.

Here is a patch of corn-field. The crop is cut. But what are those strange objects standing at even distances from each other, and looking like bears reared on their haunches? They are sheaves of corn piled up to dry. Long stakes are driven into the ground, and on these are impaled about a dozen sheaves one over another, with all the heads in one direction, and the lowest of them raised at least a foot above the soil. It appears to be a capital method of carrying on the drying process, and may perhaps be usefully adopted by some of our corn-growers at home.

A TRADING TOWN.

But we are approaching a large town. It is Drammen, one of the greatest trading towns in Norway. All is bustle. The people are evidently of a superior grade, and are moving about with an energy not previously seen. Along the water's edge there are piles of timber as far as the eye can see. Yonder is a bridge of several arches; near to this are the masts of many trading ships, and not far from these are Government offices and large hotels, and a substantial looking church; and still further away are the forests of dark pine-trees, lighted up by the golden rays of the setting sun. Onward we go, however; and after travelling five hours we see many lights twinkling in the darkness, and while the clock is striking ten we are gliding into the city of Christiania, where we soon find a capital home in the Hotel Scandinavia.

CHRISTIANIA.

We are now in the metropolis of Norway. The city has 113,000 inhabitants. The buildings are not of wood, as in other places, but are substantial structures of brick and stone. The streets are wide-the shops are good-the market-place is a spacious square, with a large plain-looking church on one side, and on the other sides lofty buildings, evidently houses of business. The public buildings are all new, for Trondjem was the ancient capital, and in that ancient city are some things to interest the antiquary, but Christiania is of more recent days, and its general appearance is that of a modern European city.

A VISIT TO NORWAY.

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A visitor cannot fail to observe the Pavilions. These are erected in thoroughfares and open spaces for the sale of unintoxicating drinks. They are elegant little structures, octagonal in shape, and gaily painted so as to attract the attention of passers by. In each one of them is standing a person neatly dressed as a waiter; and here, without any delay, and at a trifling cost, the thirsty can be supplied with pleasant and refreshing beverages in which lurks no hidden danger. The rulers of Norway are in advance of our own in discouraging habits of intemperance. The inns are fewer, and are intended to be houses of refreshment rather than drinking saloons. The sale of spirits in such houses is forbidden, and even the light beer which is sold is sold only at certain specified hours unless supplied with other things that are more substantial. The shops where spirits are sold are under strict supervision, and are found only in the larger towns, so that at least one of the temptations to drunkenness is taken out of the way. It is sad, however, to know that, in spite of such restrictions, there are many cases of intemperance. It is rumoured that there are numerous evasions of these wholesome laws; and it was for us to see one handsome young woman who was unable to preserve her equilibrium, and also a cabman who was driving in a manner which no man in his sober senses would ever do. Still the aim of the statesmen to check the terrible evil is praiseworthy, and deserves the attention of statesmen nearer home.

THE PARLIAMENT HOUSES.

One of the principal buildings in Christiania is the Stoerting-house. Here the representatives of the people meet for the transaction of business. It is a modern structure, with some pretension to taste, but is very insignificant compared with the Palace of Westminster. Still it has a substantial look, and the interior is well-adorned with carving and crimson and gold. There are one hundred and twelve members of the Stoerting, who are divided into the upper and the lower house. The election is annual, and the session seldom occupies more than one month in the year. The constitution is nominally a limited monarchy under Oscar II., of Sweden; but the government is virtually republican, and the rulers seem to pride themselves in setting aside, as far as possible, the Royal authority. A while ago a message was received from the King asking for a grant of money for his son on the occasion of his marriage, but the grant was not made. Even the power of veto-which is almost the last shred of regal power that remains-is now in dispute. It is admitted by the Norwegians that when a measure has duly passed both houses, the King may refuse to allow it to become law--that he may do this a second time-but if the same measure pass the Stoerting a third time the right of veto ceases, and the bill becomes law in spite of the Royal Will. If this matter be decided against the King, the government will be a monarchy only in name. The struggle cannot fail to be eagerly watched by all who take an interest in the national changes which are taking place; and, in the meantime, it is comforting to know that there is" a kingdom that cannot be moved," and there is a monarch of whom we may sing, "and He shall reign for ever and ever."

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A VISIT TO NORWAY.

THE ROYAL PALACE.

The most conspicuous building is the Schloss. This is the Winter Palace of the King. It stands on elevated ground; and though not to be compared with Windsor Castle, yet, nevertheless, has an imposing appearance. In front of it is a fine equestrian statue of Charles XII. The sentinels on duty were less soldierly in their appearance than our Guards; but it seems that in Norway there are no professional soldiers. All the men are trained to arms, and are compelled to render three years service in the army. On approaching the palace the question arose, "Shall we ask permission to see it?" and it was decided that there could be no impropriety in asking, and that I should make the request; so approaching an officer I communicated to him, in a manner which was to him intelligible, that we were desirous of seeing the Palace. After inquiring who we were, he conducted us to an entrance, and in a little while a soldier came to our aid. We felt ourselves to be highly favoured. Our guide was most attentive. He took us leisurely through all the state-rooms, and explained as much as he was able. It was pleasant to feast the eyes on such splendour; but it is not possible to describe the spacious rooms, the rich furniture, the portraits and the historical paintings, and the thousand other treasures which were shewn to us. After conducting us through one of the handsomest suites of rooms in Europe our guide led us out on the roof, where we were favoured with a grand view, The city lay at our feet; the docks and the spacious fjord were beyond, while on the other side were the Park and suburbs, and a rich country running up to the distant mountains. One of our own poets has said,

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever," and our visit to the Schloss will be a source of undying pleasure; and yet how poor is a royal palace compared with the glory which is reserved in heaven for us. 66 'Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things prepared for them that love Him."

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.

The gallery was closed. It is open only on certain days in the week and, alas!. this was not one of them. It was hard to see the huge doors closed firmly against us; and the more so as this was the only opportunity in our lives. We thought within ourselves what we should do, and determined to find the Curator, and present to him a silver key. In a little while we found ourselves walking among some of the Art Treasures of Norway, and in the end we were amply repaid for the labour and cost. The collection of paintings was small compared with some of the collections in Italy, but some of them were works of considerable merit, and others had an historical interest peculiarly their own. There were some fine representations of Norwegian scenery; there was also an allegorical painting which reminded one of Gustave Dore's "Triumph of Truth;" and there were scripture pieces and battle scenes, and illustrations of national events in considerable number. The painting that interested me most of all was that of the famous preacher of his time, Hans Neillson Hougar. He may be described as the Whitfield of Norway. He is represented by the artist as preaching

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in a cottage. The light falls on his benevolent face, and the cottagers are drinking in, with manifest earnestness, the gospel he is proclaiming. It is a spirit-stirring picture, and it would be strange to dwell long on the scene without catching something of the Christ-like spirit of that noble evangelist. Many years have passed away since he was called from a life of toil and sorrow to his rest and his reward, but his name is still a household word, and is as ointment poured forth, "The memory of the just shall be blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot."

THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM.

The museum we found full of treasures. There were fine specimens of stone knives, of early iron implements, of ancient pottery and carving, with unnumbered curiosities of nature and art. There was great wealth in the department of Natural History, and specially in specimens of monsters of the deep. The greatest curiosity of all, however, was "The Viking Ship." A wooden building has been erected for the exhibition of this alone. This ship was dug out of the ground about two years previous at Gokstad, and is believed to be at least one thousand years old. It is of black oak, is clinker-built, and is about eighty-seven feet in length. One peculiarity is, that the rudder is fixed at the side of the ship. The shape is such as to shew that it was intended for fast sailing; and it has not only masts, but a bench and oars for rowing. The armour found on board is ranged in order along the bulwarks, and consists of strong rusty spears, and shields of wood strengthened with rivets and. bosses of iron. At the same time were found, besides, many other things which are shewn to visitors, cooking utensils, beds, and skeletons of animals and of men. This ship is regarded by antiquaries, and especially those who take an interest in naval architecture and history, as a peculiar treasure; but there is difference of opinion respecting it. There is no doubt it belonged to one of the great Vikings. A Viking is literally an inhabitant of a creek; and the Vikings were sea rovers, or rather sea robbers, who came out with their well-armed vessels to capture merchantmen, and to take spoil from the towns on the seacoast. They were terrible men, whose calling was to rob and murder, and get gain and glory. The "Viking Ship" belonged to one of these men; but the question is, how did it find its way in that perfect state into the solid earth? Did it sink in the sea and become embedded in the mud, and has the water since retired? Or was there the solemn interment of the famous owner, who was laid in his own ship as the most appropriate mausoleum? and was he laid there" in the sure and certain hope" that the spears and shields and all the rest of the things the vessel contained would be ready for his use in the life beyond? It may be so, but no one can tell. There are secrets there which cannot be discovered. If that ship could speak, who can conceive what stories it could tell of storm, and sea-fighting, and cruelty, and wrong? But the doers of the deed have been covered up in that strange sarcophagus for a thousand years, and their doings will never be known till that day when "all secrets shall be revealed." Is it not a solemn thing that the reckoning-day will come to all-that "the graves shall be opened," and "the sea give up its dead"—and that " we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ that we may receive according to that we have done in the body, whether it be good or bad."

Edward Bott-In Memoriam.

OUR lately-deceased brother, whose head of snowy whiteness we shall behold no more with the inhabitants of the world, deserves a better tribute of remembrance than our pen can pay. He was born at Belton, a small Leicestershire village, within near sight from Charnwood Forest, and which includes the liberty of Grace Dieu, where a priory for nuns was founded in the reign of Henry III. This little village has had great fame, and some infamy, as the scene of an annual horse fair-the rendezvous of vagabond vendors, whose tricksy traffic has imposed on many a simple and many a sapient customer. Belton Fair had once a date which dominated over a wide surrounding district, and most other events were reckoned as occurring so long before, or after it. Here Edward Bott passed his boyhood until he was old enough to learn a business. In 1825, at the age of thirteen only, he was apprenticed to a watch and clock maker, first at Nottingham, afterwards at Loughborough: an age sufficiently early for the proper growth and health of the whole body, but, as it used to be considered, almost too late for the fingers to become duly expert in the nicer parts of so intricate a handicraft. On removing to Loughborough, he became connected with our then only Sunday-school, in Woodgate, and attended the ministry of Mr. Stevenson, in Baxter Gate. Here he received good impressions, and often went away from the public services to weep and pray in private. He anxiously waited for some one to guide him to a better understanding of the Scriptures, and to assist him in his inquiries after the way of peace. A Sunday-school teacher-then our bosom friend-kindly noticed him, and led him into the light. In the spring of 1829 he was baptized in his eighteenth year, having meanwhile become a teacher in the Sunday-school. After" engaging" at prayer meetings he began to practice speaking, and the composition of sermons. Encouraged by the good opinions of contemporaries, and older friends, he undertook a preaching service in a neighbouring village. This was followed by other successful efforts, and he was advised to seek admission into the Education Society, in order to be trained for the regular ministry. Having preceded him at the same place by one year, our former intimacy became closer, and for two more years we lived and studied together. So cordial and confidential was our fellowship that when the time for our separation came we felt that, whatever might be our mutual regrets, we had no personal misunderstandings to correct, and no disagreements to reconcile.

After his course of three years and a half in the Loughborough Institution he was invited to the ministry by one of the nearest vacant churches-that at Leake and Wymeswold, where he had often "supplied" while a student, and where he was 66 fully known." Some churches cannot think of anything so void of interest and excitement as the choice of a pastor from amongst those with whom they have long been familiar. If they can get a man from a great distance, of whom they have heard little more than the name, and of whom they know nothing better than his own boldness has made notable, the presumption is that he must be from heaven, and he is received "as an angel of God." It is mentioned, as a commendation of Timothy to the Philippians, that they "knew the proof of him." And Paul justified his line of action toward the Corinthians, because he had taken it in order that he "might know the proof of them." The going out of many false prophets into the world rendered it necessary for each believer and every church to "try the spirits." Such prophets disarm suspicion, and conciliate esteem, by coming in sheep's clothing; but after gaining access, if tempted to reveal themselves, they are discovered to be "ravening wolves." Nothing but good attended Mr. Bott's Election to his first pastorate, and after holding the office ten years and a half he resigned it, and removed, without a stain on his character, or the reproach of anything but human frailty in his arduous ministry. For arduous it was in those days of abundant labour, the people being widely scattered, the meeting houses numerous, and the services being three on the Lord's-day, and about as many more in the course of almost every week.

From Leake and Wymeswold he went to Hepstonstall Slack to succeed the lamented Mr. Butler. There he stayed a little over four years, but never feeling