militia is only
called out once a year, yet in case of war they have no alternative but
must abandon their families. Even the manufacturers are not exempted,
though the miners are, in order to encourage undertakings which require a
capital at the commencement. And, what appears more tyrannical, the
inhabitants of certain districts are appointed for the land, others for
the sea service. Consequently, a peasant, born a soldier, is not
permitted to follow his inclination should it lead him to go to sea, a
natural desire near so many seaports.

In these regulations the arbitrary government--the King of Denmark being
the most absolute monarch in Europe--appears, which in other respects
seeks to hide itself in a lenity that almost renders the laws nullities.
If any alteration of old customs is thought of, the opinion of the old
country is required and maturely considered. I have several times had
occasion to observe that, fearing to appear tyrannical, laws are allowed
to become obsolete which ought to be put in force or better substituted
in their stead; for this mistaken moderation, which borders on timidity,
favours the least respectable part of the people.

I saw on my way not only good parsonage houses, but comfortable
dwellings, with glebe land for the clerk, always a consequential man in
every country, a being proud of a little smattering of learning, to use
the appropriate epithet, and vain of the stiff good-breeding reflected
from the vicar, though the servility practised in his company gives it a
peculiar cast.

The widow of the clergyman is allowed to receive the benefit of the
living for a twelvemonth after the death of the incumbent.

Arriving at the ferry (the passage over to Moss is about six or eight
English miles) I saw the most level shore I had yet seen in Norway. The
appearance of the circumjacent country had been preparing me for the
change of scene which was to greet me when I reached the coast. For the
grand features of nature had been dwindling into prettiness as I
advanced; yet the rocks, on a smaller scale, were finely wooded to the
water's edge. Little art appeared, yet sublimity everywhere gave place
to elegance. The road had often assumed the appearance of a gravelled
one, made in pleasure-grounds; whilst the trees excited only an idea of
embellishment. Meadows, like lawns, in an endless variety, displayed the
careless graces of nature; and the ripening corn gave a richness to the
lan