letters from high latitudes-第53章
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ree years； I remembered that the time was not so very far distant when even the fair Mademoiselle E had graciously pronounced me to be a very tolerable waltzer； 〃for an Englishman；〃 and I led my partner to the circle already formed with the 〃air capable〃 which the object of such praise is entitled to assume。 There was a certain languid rhythm in the air they were playing which rather offended my ears； but I suspected nothing until； observing the few couples who had already descended into the arena； I became aware that they were twirling about with all the antiquated grace of 〃la valse a trois temps。〃 Of course my partner would be no exception to the general rule！ nobody had ever danced anything else at Throndhjem from the days of Odin downwards； and I had never so much as attempted it。 What was to be done？ I could not explain the state of the case to Madame Hghelghghagllaghem； she could not understand English； nor I speak Norse。 My brain reeled with anxiety to find some solution of the difficulty； or some excuse for rushing from her presence。 What if I were taken with a sudden bleeding at the nose； or had an apoplectic fit on the spot？ Either case would necessitate my being carried decently out； and consigned to oblivion； which would have been a comfort under the circumstances。 There was nothing for it but the courage of despair； so； casting reflection to the winds and my arm round her waist； I suddenly whisked her off her legs； and dashed madly down the room； 〃a deux temps。〃 At the first perception that something unusual was going on； she gave such an eldritch scream； that the whole society suddenly came to a standstill。 I thought it best to assume an aspect of innocent composure and conscious rectitude； which had its effect； for though the lady began with a certain degree of hysterical animation to describe her wrongs； she finished with a hearty laugh； in which the company cordially joined； and I delicately chimed in。 For the rest of the dance she seemed to resign herself to her fate； and floated through space； under my guidance； with all the ABANDON of Francesca di Rimini； in Scheffer's famous picture。
The Crown Prince is a tall； fine…looking person； he was very gracious； and asked many questions about my voyage。
At night there was a general illumination； to which the 〃Foam〃 contributed some blue lights。
We got under way early this morning； and without a pilotas we had enteredmade our way out to sea again。 I left Throndhjem with regret； not for its own sake； for in spite of balls and illuminations I should think the pleasures of a stay there would not be deliriously exciting； but this whole district is so intimately associated in my mind with all the brilliant episodes of ancient Norwegian History； that I feel as if I were taking leave of all those noble Haralds； and Olafs； and Hacons； among whom I have been living in such pleasant intimacy for some time past。
While we are dropping down the coast； I may as well employ the time in giving you a rapid sketch of the commencement of this fine Norse people； though the story 〃remonte jusqu'a la nuit des temps；〃 and has something of the vague magnificence of your own M'Donnell genealogy； ending a long list of great potentates； with 〃somebody； who was the son of somebody else； who was the son of Scotha； who was the daughter of Pharaoh！〃
In bygone ages； beyond the Scythian plains and the fens of the Tanais； in that land of the morning； to which neither Grecian letters nor Roman arms had ever penetrated； there was a great city called Asgaard。 Of its founder； of its history； we know nothing； but looming through the mists of antiquity we can discern an heroic figure； whose superior attainments won for him the lordship of his own generation； and divine honours from those that succeeded。 Whether moved by an irresistible impulse； or impelled by more powerful neighbours； it is impossible to say； but certain it is that at some period； not perhaps very long before the Christian era； under the guidance of this personage； a sun…nurtured people moved across the face of Europe； in a north…westerly direction； and after leaving settlements along the southern shores of the Baltic； finally established themselves in the forests and valleys of what has come to be called the Scandinavian Peninsula。 That children of the South should have sought out so inclement a habitation may excite surprise； but it must always be remembered that they were； probably； a comparatively scanty congregation； and that the unoccupied valleys of Norway and Sweden； teeming with fish and game； and rich in iron； were a preferable region to lands only to be colonised after they had been conquered。
Thus； under the leadership of Odin and his twelve Paladins； to whom a grateful posterity afterwards conceded thrones in the halls of their chief's Valhalla；the new emigrants spread themselves along the margin of the out…ocean； and round about the gloomy fiords； and up and down the deep valleys that fall away at right angles from the backbone； or keel； as the seafaring population soon learnt to call the flat； snow…capped ridge that runs down the centre of Norway。
Amid the rude but not ungenial influences of its bracing climate； was gradually fostered that gallant race which was destined to give an imperial dynasty to Russia； a nobility to England； and conquerors to every sea…board in Europe。
Upon the occupation of their new home； the ascendency of that mysterious hero； under whose auspices the settlement was conducted； appears to have remained more firmly established than ever； not only over the mass of the people； but also over the twelve subordinate chiefs who accompanied him； there never seems to have been the slightest attempt to question his authority； and； though afterwards themselves elevated into an order of celestial beings； every tradition which has descended is careful to maintain his human and divine supremacy。 Through the obscurity； the exaggeration； and the ridiculous fables； with which his real existence has been overloaded； we can still see that this man evidently possessed a genius as superior to his contemporaries； as has ever given to any child of man the ascendency over his generation。 In the simple language of the old chronicler； we are told； 〃that his countenance was so beautiful that； when sitting among his friends； the spirits of all were exhilarated by it； that when he spoke； all were persuaded； that when he went forth to meet his enemies； none could withstand him。〃 Though subsequently made a god by the superstitious people he had benefited； his death seems to have been noble and religious。 He summoned his friends around his pillow； intimated a belief in the immortality of his soul； and his hope that hereafter they should meet again in Paradise。 〃Then；〃 we are told； 〃began the belief in Odin； and their calling upon him。〃
On the settlement of the country； the land was divided and subdivided into lotssome as small as fifty acresand each proprietor held his shareas their descendants do to this dayby udal right； that is； not as a fief of the Crown； or of any superior lord； but in absolute； inalienable possession； by the same udal right as the kings wore their crowns； to be transmitted； under the same title； to their descendants unto all generations。
These landed proprietors were called the Bonders； and formed the chief strength of the realm。 It was they； their friends and servants； or thralls； who constituted the army。 Without their consent the king could do nothing。 On stated occasions they met together； in solemn assembly； or Thing； （i。e。 Parliament；） as it was called； for the transaction of public business； the administration of justice； the allotment of the scatt； or taxes。
Without a solemn induction at the Ore or Great Thing； even the most legitimately…descended sovereign could not mount the throne； and to that august assembly an appeal might ever lie against his authority。
To these Things； and to the Norse invasion that implanted them； and not to the Wittenagemotts of the Latinised Saxons； must be referred the existence of those Parliaments which are the boast of Englishmen。
Noiselessly and gradually did a belief in liberty； and an unconquerable love of independence； grow up amon
