VIII. CHAP. tion, some precaution is necessary in attending to the degree of heat applied for the concentration of the lixivium. If the liquor be urged by a violent degree of heat, it loses part of its acid, becomes tasteless, and the residue is then no longer susceptible of crystallization; but the alum is precipitated, in the form of a very fine adhesive powder, in proportion as the water is dispersed by evaporation. To ascertain this temperature, methods of greater or less accuracy have been adopted: such as, the immersion of an egg into the liquid; the affusion of some drops of the lixivium upon a plate; and some other'. We brought away many specimens, both of the ore and of the alum. The balls of iron-pyrites contained in the slate have a spheroïdal form; and, in some instances, these balls are as big as a man's head. Return to Public After our return to Christiania, the same round of hospitable entertainments again took place which we have before noticed. We were not a single day in the place without receiving invitations, either to some magnificent dinner or supper. There are public balls on a Sunday evening, once in every fortnight. These are held in a large room belonging to the principal (1) See Chaptal's Chemistry, Vol. II. p. 64. Lond. 1775. CHAP. VIII. inn; and the ball is followed by a supper. Tickets are given to the different persons as they enter, to regulate their places in the dance; a different set of tickets being distributed for a similar purpose at supper. The dances are, the waltz, which has always the preference, and the common English country-dance: but even in the country-dance the waltz is introduced: indeed it is so great a favourite, that our English dance would probably not be tolerated, but in compliment to the English who may happen to be present. Some of our popular dances were performed by the band, but in so slow and solemn a manner, that the effect became truly ludicrous. The dresses of the women are entirely English, Rage for and of the latest ton. At this time, the Gover- Fashions, nor's lady, and one or two more, made their appearance in curled crop perukes, imported from London; and by the buzz, which the display of the new fashion excited, the admiration and the envy it called forth, it was evident that a fresh importation would soon be the means of making these wigs a very general costume among the higher class of females. Any alteration that takes place in London, with regard to dress, is instantly transmitted to Christiania: and these changes are watched and adopted in Norway with a degree of avidity which is quite English VIII. CHAP. amusing to foreigners. Nothing would be easier than to practise the most extravagant hoax, by making it to be believed that some strange grotesque mode of attire had been introduced among the fashionable belles of London. If a lady arrive from England, she has hardly set foot in Christiania before her toilette is beset by all the principal women, anxious to inspect and to imitate every article of her apparel. Account of Anker. Literary female characters are unknown: even the men rarely pretend to follow any scientific pursuit. The most learned of the inhabitants Further are foreigners. Bernard Anker was almost the Bernard only man who, as a native, engaged in and patronized literature. He was familiarly acquainted with the best English authors in almost every department of science, and not ill versed in the writings of other nations. He had, at the same time, some degree of knowledge of the antient classic authors. He was, indeed, in all respects, a very extraordinary man. Some travellers have spoken of his vanity: to us, this foible, if it deserved so harsh a name, served only to render his company the more amusing: not that we were amused at his expense, but because we discerned, through all his supposed egotism, a playfulness of disposition, which seemed to say, "I will be any thing, from the CHAP. VIII. loftiest statesman to the merriest member of a party at blind-man's-buff, sooner than my guests shall suffer ennui for want of conversation or amusement!"—and we felt convinced, that the loss of such a man, in such a place as Christiania, could never be supplied.—Alas! before our tribute can be paid to his distinguished worth, and these acknowledgments of the kindness we received from him publickly rendered, this loss has been sustained!-Of the extent of his commercial speculations it is hardly possible to convey an idea, without making a complete staistical survey of the commerce of Norway. His ships went to sea in whole fleets; and of the wealth of their freightage some notion may be entertained, by an account of his dealing in a single export; namely, timber. He took us to see his Timber deal-yards, which were indeed prodigious. The present stock in them was worth 50,000l. From Christiania and Moss he exported deals to the amount, annually, of 180,000l.; and of this sum, above 100,000l. must be placed to the amount of the deals from Christiania. The deals that are sold in one year are cut three years before; and as every thing is paid for in ready money, an immense capital is required to carry on this trade in deals alone; which is, in fact, the reason that it is so profitable, and in such Trade. VIII. CHAP. few hands. At Frederichstadt, from the facility of floating the timber to the saw-mills, and from the saw-mills immediately to the port, a whole year is saved, and the clear profit is thereby made much greater. The timber that comes to Christiania is brought by sledges, in winter. The carrying timber on sledges forms one of the principal winter employments of the farmers and house-men. By this it will be seen what the out-goings must have been of a merchant, engaged, as Mr. Anker was, in commerce. But, besides this, he had extensive iron-foundries, and three copper-mines. The number of his stewards, or clerks, amounted to forty; each of whom, upon an average, enjoyed a yearly salary of a thousand dollars. Yet, in the midst of his vast undertakings, he was so much of a philosopher, that if he could have found any other individual capable of superintending the whole, he would have consented to a loss of 50 per cent., that he might have been able to retire. State of Of the state of religion in Norway we had not in Norway an opportunity of making many observations. The morals of the people, especially of the lower orders, are good; and thus judging of the tree by its fruits, we saw no reason for complaint. Formerly there were many different sects in the country; and among these, some |