upon those in vogue during the time of Odin,
the founder of the Norwegian race. Owing to the humidity of the
climate, it is necessary in harvest time to dry the hay and grain by
staking it out in the fields on long poles, so that the sun and air
may penetrate every part of it. The appearance of a farm is thus
rendered unique as well as picturesque. In the long twilight nights of
summer these ghostly stokes present the appearance of a gang of
heathenish spirits standing about in the fields, with their long
beards waving in the air, and their dusky robes trailing over the
stubbles. The figures thus seen at every turn of the road often assume
the most striking spectral forms, well calculated to augment those
wild superstitions which prevail throughout the country. It was
impossible for me ever to get quite rid of the idea that they were
descendants of the old Scandinavian gods, holding counsel over the
affairs of the nation, especially when some passing breeze caused
their arms and robes to flutter in the twilight, and their heads to
swing to and fro, as if in the enthusiasm of their ghostly
deliberations.

[Illustration: A NORWEGIAN FARM.]

[Illustration: NORWEGIAN CHURCH.]

Mingled with the wild superstitions of the people their piety is a
prominent trait. Their prevailing religion is Episcopal Lutheran,
though Catholicism and other religions are tolerated by an act of the
Storthing, with the exception of Mormonism, which is prohibited by
law. A considerable number of proselytes to that sect have emigrated
to Salt Lake. This prevailing spirit of piety is observable even in
the wildest parts of the country, where every little hamlet has its
church, and neither old nor young neglect their religious services.
Most of these churches are built of wood, with a steeple of the same
material, shingled over and painted black, so as to present the most
striking contrast to the snows which cover the face of the country
during the greater part of the year.

[Illustration: PARISH SCHOOLMASTER.]

The parish schoolmaster is a most important personage in these rural
districts. He it is who trains up the rising generation, teaches the
young idea how to shoot, and

"Out of great things and small draweth the secrets of
the universe."

He is greatly revered by the simple-minded old farmers, is cherished
and respected by the mothers of families, enthusiastically admired and
generally aspired to by the village belles, a