sing effect, particularly so to me who love Norway--its
peaceful farms and spacious wilds.

The public library consists of a collection much larger than I expected
to see; and it is well arranged. Of the value of the Icelandic
manuscripts I could not form a judgment, though the alphabet of some of
them amused me, by showing what immense labour men will submit to, in
order to transmit their ideas to posterity. I have sometimes thought it
a great misfortune for individuals to acquire a certain delicacy of
sentiment, which often makes them weary of the common occurrences of
life; yet it is this very delicacy of feeling and thinking which probably
has produced most of the performances that have benefited mankind. It
might with propriety, perhaps, be termed the malady of genius; the cause
of that characteristic melancholy which "grows with its growth, and
strengthens with its strength."

There are some good pictures in the royal museum. Do not start, I am not
going to trouble you with a dull catalogue, or stupid criticisms on
masters to whom time has assigned their just niche in the temple of fame;
had there been any by living artists of this country, I should have
noticed them, as making a part of the sketches I am drawing of the
present state of the place. The good pictures were mixed
indiscriminately with the bad ones, in order to assort the frames. The
same fault is conspicuous in the new splendid gallery forming at Paris;
though it seems an obvious thought that a school for artists ought to be
arranged in such a manner, as to show the progressive discoveries and
improvements in the art.

A collection of the dresses, arms, and implements of the Laplanders
attracted my attention, displaying that first species of ingenuity which
is rather a proof of patient perseverance, than comprehension of mind.
The specimens of natural history, and curiosities of art, were likewise
huddled together without that scientific order which alone renders them
useful; but this may partly have been occasioned by the hasty manner in
which they were removed from the palace when in flames.

There are some respectable men of science here, but few literary
characters, and fewer artists. They want encouragement, and will
continue, I fear, from the present appearance of things, to languish
unnoticed a long time; for neither the vanity of wealth, nor the
enterprising spirit of commerce, has yet thrown a glance that way.

Besides, the Prince