half buried in snow, we had invitations to balls and routs, in which a very striking contrast was exhibited to such features of savage life. Judging from the appearance exhibited in the public streets, we might have imagined ourselves in some town of North America; but in the evening, visiting their musical societies, of which they have two regularly established in this city, or joining in their dancing parties, we were rather reminded of what we had seen in the capital. CHAP. VII. Finlander of Savolax in the Streets of Abo, with his Sledge. CHAP. VIII. Concourse of the Natives from the neighbouring DistrictsManners of the Finns-their motives in visiting Åbotheir dress-marvellous expedition which they undertake -anecdote of one of them-Streets of Åbo-Booksellers -Price of articles-Language and People of FinlandFinnish Poetry-Merchants of Abo-Maritime Commerce of Sweden and Norway-Singular customs-— Courts of Judicature-Distant excursions of the Trading Finlanders-Foundation of the University-Number of its Students and Professors-Importance of a travellingcarriage-State of the accommodations for TravellersCursory reflections previously to the departure for Russia. VIII. from the ing dis tricts. We arrived in that season of the year which, of CHAP. all other, is best suited to gratify a stranger's Concourse curiosity; when the rigorous frost of the winter of Natives enables the natives of all the neighbouring dis- neighbourtricts to resort to Abo for merchandize. It wanted only a fortnight to the annual fair; but the inhabitants of all the Finland, and even the more distant Lapland provinces, began to pour in, with increasing numbers, every day. At length, the coming of these visitants constituted every morning a new throng, moving in regular procession through the streets. By this means, without the pains and privations that would attend a journey into the interior, we were enabled, leisurely, to see and converse with people from very remote regions; to watch their mode of life, wants, luxuries, and trade; and to observe their dresses and manners. Among these, the Russian traders were remarkably distinguished, by their long bushy beards, naked necks, and dark lamb-skin caps of a peculiar kind of curled wool. They were constantly in the streets, dragging after them hand-sledges:—while the Finns, with their shorn features, long dark unbending hair, and sallow countenances; eyes, extended length-ways, and half closed; a peaked nose, frequently inclining upwards, but always pointed; sharp and square chin; elevated cheek |