, labouring to be prudent, they
lose sight of rectitude. Besides, nothing is left to their conscience,
or sagacity; they must be governed by evidence, though internally
convinced that it is false.

There is a considerable iron manufactory at Laurvig for coarse work, and
a lake near the town supplies the water necessary for working several
mills belonging to it.

This establishment belongs to the Count of Laurvig. Without a fortune
and influence equal to his, such a work could not have been set afloat;
personal fortunes are not yet sufficient to support such undertakings.
Nevertheless the inhabitants of the town speak of the size of his estate
as an evil, because it obstructs commerce. The occupiers of small farms
are obliged to bring their wood to the neighbouring seaports to be
shipped; but he, wishing to increase the value of his, will not allow it
to be thus gradually cut down, which turns the trade into another
channel. Added to this, nature is against them, the bay being open and
insecure. I could not help smiling when I was informed that in a hard
gale a vessel had been wrecked in the main street. When there are such a
number of excellent harbours on the coast, it is a pity that accident has
made one of the largest towns grow up on a bad one.

The father of the present count was a distant relation of the family; he
resided constantly in Denmark, and his son follows his example. They
have not been in possession of the estate many years; and their
predecessor lived near the town, introducing a degree of profligacy of
manners which has been ruinous to the inhabitants in every respect, their
fortunes not being equal to the prevailing extravagance.

What little I have seen of the manners of the people does not please me
so well as those of Tonsberg. I am forewarned that I shall find them
still more cunning and fraudulent as I advance towards the westward, in
proportion as traffic takes place of agriculture, for their towns are
built on naked rocks, the streets are narrow bridges, and the inhabitants
are all seafaring men, or owners of ships, who keep shops.

The inn I was at in Laurvig this journey was not the same that I was at
before. It is a good one--the people civil, and the accommodations
decent. They seem to be better provided in Sweden; but in justice I
ought to add that they charge more extravagantly. My bill at Tonsberg
was also much higher than I had paid in Sweden, and much higher than it
ou