ds in the vicinity dotted with villas; sloops and boats floating
dreamily on the Malar Lake, and larger vessels gliding over the waters
of the Baltic; dense forests of pine dim in the distance; and over all
a strangely colored Northern light, that gave the scene something of a
spectral aspect. Yet the spirit of repose that seemed cast over this
fair scene was absolutely oppressive to one like myself, accustomed to
an active life. From the high points I wandered down into the low
places, through narrow and tortuous streets; gazed into the stables
and cow-houses; watched the tinners, and coppersmiths, and shoemakers
as they wound up the labors of the day in their dingy little shops;
peered into the greasy little meatshops and antiquated grocery-stores;
studied the faces of the good people who slowly wended their way
homeward, and bowed to several old ladies out of pure kindliness and
good feeling; then wandered back into the public places, still pursued
by a green and yellow melancholy. I gazed steadfastly at the statues
of Gustavus Vasa, Charles XII., and Berzelius, and tried in vain to
remember something of their history. I went into the picture-shops,
took off my hat to small boys behind the counter, looked at the
pictures, and bought several, for which I had no earthly use; then I
went to the cafe on the bridge, drank coffee and cognac, and attempted
to read the Swedish newspapers, of which I understood every letter,
but not a word; after which I heard the whistle of a small steam-boat
at the end of the cafe garden, and ran down in a hurry to get on
board. The steam-boat was about equal to a good-sized yawl, and was
bound for some port unknown to me; but that made no difference. I
never see a boat of any kind going any where, or a locomotive, or a
carriage, or any thing that moves by steam, sails, horse-power, or
electricity, without feeling an unconquerable desire to be off too, so
that I very much fear, if I should come across a convict vessel bound
for Van Diemen's Land, it would be impossible for me to avoid jumping
on board and going with the crowd. In the present case it was
essentially necessary that I should keep moving. I was almost sinking
under the oppressive loneliness of the place. Rather than remain
another hour within the limits of such a dreary old city, I would have
taken passage in a tread-mill, and relied upon the force of
imagination to carry me to some other place. Nay, a hangman's cart on
the way