l with us. The people have
certain times and occasions for getting drunk; they make a regular
business of it. Virulent and disgusting diseases are also prevalent
among them, so that between the rigors of climate and other causes
less excusable, they frequently appear old and decrepit before their
time. That among the middle classes there are fine-looking men and
beautiful women, is true; that in literature, science, and music, they
can boast names that will go down to posterity, is a fact that can not
be denied; but I think such a climate and the habits engendered by it
are inimical to the highest order of physical and mental development
among the masses. Hence we find throughout the country many diseased
and deformed persons of both sexes; many weakly and not a few
imbecile. The peasants are not so hardy and robust as I expected to
find them; and I was told by competent judges, better informed than I
could hope to become during so brief a sojourn, that they are
progressively degenerating year after year, and can not now compare
with the peasants of former times.

To say that I was charmed with my ramble through the Djurgaard would
but faintly express the pleasure I derived from my visit to this
beautiful park. Of all the resorts for recreation that I have yet seen
in Northern Europe, I give it the palm for natural beauty and tasteful
cultivation. In this the Swedes excel. Their villas, gardens, and
parks are unsurpassed, and no people in the world better understand
how to enjoy them.

Late in the evening I returned to my hotel, delighted with all I had
seen. I was anxious to extend my rambles to Upsala, and to visit more
in detail the various beautiful islands and places of interest in the
vicinity of Stockholm; but the season was advancing, and I was
reluctantly compelled to push on toward Norway.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE GOTHA CANAL.

On a pleasant morning in August I called for my bill at the "Stadt
Frankfort." The landlady, a blooming young woman of rather vivacious
and persuasive manners, wished me such a delightful journey, and
looked so sorry I was going, that I could not muster resolution enough
to complain of the various candles that were never burnt, and the
numerous services that were never rendered, except in the bill; and
had she charged me for washing my own face and putting on my own
boots, I fear the result would have been the same. Wishing her a happy
future, I shouldered my knapsack, which b