204 V. CHAP. this collection is exposed for sale; but it consisted of trivial and bad specimens. Beautiful vases, and polished tables, all of porphyry, the manufacture of Sweden, are here exhibited and sold. Mr. Hjelm was employed, at the time of our arrival, in making what he called Spa Water; that is to say, water impregnated with carbonic acid gas; by the usual process of agitating the fluid in a receiver containing the gas collected from the effervescence of limestone when exposed to the action of an acid. Mr. Hjelm used the sulphuric acid and powdered marble. He shewed to us a very great chemical curiosity; namely, a mass of chromium in the metallic state, nearly as large as the top of a man's thumb. We could perceive, however, that the Swedish chemists, celebrated as they justly are, carry on their works in the large way: the furnaces used by Mr. Hjelm, in the Royal Laboratory, were of the size of those in our common blacksmiths' shops; and the rest of his apparatus was upon a similar scale. In the collection of minerals belonging to the Crown, we saw two very important phænomena, as affecting the origin of the basaltic formation. The first was artificial: it exhibited a regular basaltic structure, taken from the bottom of an iron furnace. The second was a specimen of native iron, that appeared also to V. have been acted upon by fire, exhibiting the same configuration. Hence the conclusion is evident, that this formation may be due, either to solution by means of heat, or to solution by means of aqueous fluids: the appearance now alluded to, added to others, of a different nature, often adduced in these Travels, decidedly proving that the basaltic structure in rocks is owing. to a process of CRYSTALLIZATION. We afterwards visited some of the artists, especially Desprez and Martin, both painters. The works Artists. of the former are well known: it is only to be regretted that an artist of such merit should languish for want of employment, in a situation so remote from all the sources of patronage. Martin is known for his genius as a landscapepainter; and his brother, for his designs in water-colours, his views of Stockholm, and of the Swedish mines; also, delineations of the manners and customs of the Swedes and Laplanders, which are remarkable for their neatness and accuracy. Towards the close of this day, we were entirely occupied in making preparations for our journey to the Frigid Zone. We bought a neat little waggon, quite new, together with all the harness which is requisite in travelling in this country, for a sum not exceeding eight pounds. ten shillings, English. As few persons are Prepara- tions for a the Frigid Zone. CHAP. aware of the extraordinary facility of travelling in Sweden, owing to the excellence of the roads, and with how light a carriage it is possible to go all over the country; and as this carriage, remarkable for the simplicity of its construction, proved one of the most convenient vehicles we ever had; a description of its form may be useful. It was made without springs, nor did we ever require any; being quite open, and with very little iron-work about it. In shape, it might be compared to a shoe, set upon wheels, with the heel foremost. A seat, lined with oilcloth, was raised in this part of it, capable of containing two persons; and there was a place, boarded in front, for the driver to sit upon. Behind the seat, answering in its form to all the body and toe of the shoe, was the receptacle for beds, provisions, and baggage, or whatever we might wish to carry; and, as this was not sufficient to convey all our luggage, a common cart of the country, drawn by a single horse, used to follow us, bearing our English servant, and the Interpreter; one of whom drove the cart, and the other sat upon the baggage. Our own little waggon was always drawn by two horses abreast; and with so little difficulty, owing to its lightness, that we rarely travelled faster or with more ease in any country. Indeed, at one of the post V. houses where we stopped to change horses, in CHAP. the North of Sweden, a sturdy peasant, seeing the little vehicle for which his high-mettled steeds were required, began laughing, and, placing himself beneath the waggon, raised it, wheels and all, some inches from the ground, upon his shoulders. FROM STOCKHOLM, TO SUNDSWALL. Departure from Stockholm-Opposite Characteristics of the Northern and Southern Swedes-Rotebro, Mariestad, and Alsïke-Sko Kloster-Upsala-House of LinnæusArosia-Atlantica of Olaus Rudbeck-Old UpsalMorasteen-Appearance of the country north of UpsalHogsta, and Laby-Description of a Farm-house at Yfre -Efforts towards Cultivation-Cataract of the DalMode of protecting the Swedish Bridges-Account of the Dal-Elskarleby-Swedish Iron-Country between Elskarleby and Gefle-Description of Gefle-Commerce -Author's Rencontre with the Owner of Vessels captured by his Brother-Bear's Flesh a delicacy-Great length |