This surprised me a
little, because her husband was quite a Frenchman of the _ancien regime_,
or rather a courtier, the same kind of animal in every country.

Here I saw the cloven foot of despotism. I boasted to you that they had
no viceroy in Norway, but these Grand Bailiffs, particularly the superior
one, who resides at Christiania, are political monsters of the same
species. Needy sycophants are provided for by their relations and
connections at Copenhagen as at other courts. And though the Norwegians
are not in the abject state of the Irish, yet this second-hand government
is still felt by their being deprived of several natural advantages to
benefit the domineering state.

The Grand Bailiffs are mostly noblemen from Copenhagen, who act as men of
common minds will always act in such situations--aping a degree of
courtly parade which clashes with the independent character of a
magistrate. Besides, they have a degree of power over the country
judges, which some of them, who exercise a jurisdiction truly patriarchal
most painfully feel. I can scarcely say why, my friend, but in this city
thoughtfulness seemed to be sliding into melancholy or rather dulness.
The fire of fancy, which had been kept alive in the country, was almost
extinguished by reflections on the ills that harass such a large portion
of mankind. I felt like a bird fluttering on the ground unable to mount,
yet unwilling to crawl tranquilly like a reptile, whilst still conscious
it had wings.

I walked out, for the open air is always my remedy when an aching head
proceeds from an oppressed heart. Chance directed my steps towards the
fortress, and the sight of the slaves, working with chains on their legs,
only served to embitter me still more against the regulations of society,
which treated knaves in such a different manner, especially as there was
a degree of energy in some of their countenances which unavoidably
excited my attention, and almost created respect.

I wished to have seen, through an iron grate, the face of a man who has
been confined six years for having induced the farmers to revolt against
some impositions of the Government. I could not obtain a clear account
of the affair, yet, as the complaint was against some farmers of taxes, I
am inclined to believe that it was not totally without foundation. He
must have possessed some eloquence, or have had truth on his side; for
the farmers rose by hundreds to support him, and were