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NOTES OF TRAVEL.

CHRISTIANIA AND NORWAY-NORWEGIAN POLITICS AND LITERATURE— VOYAGE ACROSS THE NORTH SEA-PARIS.

Christiania, like all the principal cities of Norway, is built among the hills; and from some of the summits of these hills, may be obtained magnificent views of the sea and of the country around.

On a side-hill, in the center of the City, is the castle, where the King resides occasionally, when he visits Norway; the most of his time being spent in Sweden. Near the castle is the University, a very important institution for the Norwegian. A university in Europe, as is well known, means something more than in America, and is always more or less under the control and patronage of the State. For several hundred years, while Norway was under the dominion of Denmark it had no university, and the Norwegian who would have a liberal education, must acquire it in Copenhagen or on the Continent.

In Christiania I formed the acquaintance of Professor Sars of the University, and often visited at the house of himself and his mother, a brilliant lady, seventy-three years of age.

Political excitement was at that time, (1884), running high. The hoiremænd, (men of the right), constituted the King's party, while the opposition were the venstremænd, (men of the left), who were in favor of a more liberal form of government. In fact, Norway seemed to me to be fast drifting into republicanism.

One of the most important questions under discussion, relates to the right of veto claimed by the King, over the Norwegian Legislature (The Storthing.) This right the left denies entirely. But His Majesty had scored a point by obtaining the unanimous opinion of the Juridical Faculty in his favor. One could not but notice, however, the ingenious manner in which the question had been propounded to the Faculty. Not whether

any veto had been provided for in the Constitution, but "how far and to what extent," "hvorvidt og i hvilken Udstrækning," according to their opinion, there pertained to the King the right of sanction in respect to changes of the Constitution? Thus assuming that the right of veto existed, and only submitting the question as to its extent-whether it was absolute or merely suspensive. It is easy to see that the form of the question might have much to do with the answer, especially under a monarchical form of government; since jurists who might doubt the right of the veto, not being called upon to decide upon the right itself, might give less attention to the grounds upon which it rested, and confine themselves principally to the question of its extent, assuming its existence.

Examining the Constitution carefully, it would be difficult for an outsider to see any veto right expressed with sufficient clearness, in it; but the history of the country showed that the right had been repeatedly exercised, and acquiesced in by the Storthing, and this was the argument upon which the royal party mainly depended. 'Another position taken by them was, that the Constitution of 1814 was in the nature of a contract between the King of Sweden and the people of Norway represented by the Storthing, and that it could not be changed without the consent of both contracting parties. This principle, if admitted, would support the veto

power.

On the other hand it was claimed that the King in that very Constitution, acknowledged the independence of Norway, which could only be maintained by an untrammeled Storthing;-that Norway was attached to Sweden for certain purposes only, and not for the purpose of a consolidated government.

Those who wish to become more thoroughly acquainted with these questions, should read Professor Sars Historical Introduction to the Constitution:-(Historisk Indledning til Grundloven, tredje Oplag-Kristiania,

1884.)

The Norwegians are a reading and thinking people. The higher class are well educated, often reading and speaking a number of languages. It is well known that there are more linguists among the educated classes of Europe than among those of this country. The reason is apparent; because they so much more frequently come in contact with people speaking other languages.

The middling and lower classes also in Norway, are in intelligence and moral standing, above the average of the same classes in other European countries, and perhaps in this country. In Christiania. there were ten

circulating loan libraries besides the large library in the University. These libraries are extensively patronized by all classes of the people.

The Norwegian literature partakes of the character of the land which has produced it. It is bold and romantic-full of the elements of wild passion, yet softened by the sun of modern civilization. In Holberg they had their Shakspeare-in Bjornson they have their Victor Hugo.—Ibsen, Jonas Lee and others also are shedding brilliancy upon the pathway of Danish-Norwegian literature.

In Christiania, when the bells are heard tolling, it is not for a fire, but to signal the departure of some citizen for the far off country. On one occasion I heard them tolling steadily for nearly an hour. In case of a fire,. no public alarm is given, unless the conflagration becomes extensive, in which case the people are notified by the firing of cannon.

The Norwegians, considering them as a whole, are an honest, industrious, intelligent people, and very hospitable to strangers. I was more favorably impressed with the Scandinavians and Russians, and less favorably impressed with some other peoples than I had expected to be.

In Christiania, I heard Miss Thursby, the American, who was singing in eleven languages in Europe, and who was exceedingly popular in Sweden and Norway. Strakosh was with her, and Wolff, the violinist. The son of Ole Bull was the Director.

October 3, 1884. Sailed for Havre, after a pleasant sojourn of two months in Christiania. The North Sea was very rough during most of the voyage. Arrived in Havre on the morning of the 6th, and the same day was in Paris.

Here I spent the months of October and November, months ever to be remembered. It is not my purpose to undertake to describe Paris or Paris life, which has been done so often and so much better than I could do it. My object will be to touch upon some phases of European life less familiar to American readers.

C. B. W.

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