wo hundred and fifty miles to the north.
Fishing and lumbering are the principal occupations of the inhabitants
living on the islands and shores. All these interior waters are frozen
over in winter, and communication is carried on by means of sledges.
The winters are very severe; and it is said that great numbers of
wolves, driven from their usual haunts by starvation, prowl along the
public highways during the winter months in search of prey. Traveling
parties are sometimes attacked, and it is considered dangerous for
children to go from one farm-house to another. The government,
however, by a system of rewards for the destruction of these vicious
animals, has succeeded of late years in greatly reducing their
numbers.

In speaking of the severity of Swedish winters, it may be well to
state that the cold is uniform, and consequently more easily endured
than if the temperature were subject to sudden variations. There is,
of course, considerable difference between the northern and southern
parts of the country; but, taking the average or central parts, the
winters may be considered as lasting about five months. During that
period the snow covers the earth, and the lakes and rivers are frozen.
At Stockholm the thermometer averages in summer about 70 degrees
above, and in winter 29 degrees below zero, of Fahrenheit. At
Gottenburg the summers are not quite so warm and the winters not so
cold. The temperature of the Norwegian coast facing the Atlantic is
less rigorous than that of the Swedish coast on the Baltic, arising
from the influence of the Gulf Stream, and partly from the proximity
of the open sea. Even at Wammerfest, which lies within the arctic
circle, the winters are comparatively mild. At Bergen it rains over
two hundred days in the year, and the fjords are seldom frozen over.

Passing along the eastern shore of the Wenern, we passed a series of
rocky islands, well wooded till we reached the town of Wenersberg--an
important depot for the commerce and products of the lake. At this
place a brisk trade in iron and lumber is carried on during the summer
months, and the wharves present quite a lively appearance, with their
shipping, and piles of lumber and merchandise. The population of
Wenersberg is about 2500; the houses are neat, and the general
appearance of the town is thrifty. We stopped long enough to enjoy a
ramble through the streets, and take a look at the inhabitants, after
which our little steamer proceede