the virtues, which they would
not have had the force of mind to attain by their individual exertions in
a less advanced state of society.

The evening was fine, as is usual at this season, and the refreshing
odour of the pine woods became more perceptible, for it was nine o'clock
when we left Fredericshall. At the ferry we were detained by a dispute
relative to our Swedish passport, which we did not think of getting
countersigned in Norway. Midnight was coming on, yet it might with such
propriety have been termed the noon of night that, had Young ever
travelled towards the north, I should not have wondered at his becoming
enamoured of the moon. But it is not the Queen of Night alone who reigns
here in all her splendour, though the sun, loitering just below the
horizon, decks her within a golden tinge from his car, illuminating the
cliffs that hide him; the heavens also, of a clear softened blue, throw
her forward, and the evening star appears a smaller moon to the naked
eye. The huge shadows of the rocks, fringed with firs, concentrating the
views without darkening them, excited that tender melancholy which,
sublimating the imagination, exalts rather than depresses the mind.

My companions fell asleep--fortunately they did not snore; and I
contemplated, fearless of idle questions, a night such as I had never
before seen or felt, to charm the senses, and calm the heart. The very
air was balmy as it freshened into morn, producing the most voluptuous
sensations. A vague pleasurable sentiment absorbed me, as I opened my
bosom to the embraces of nature; and my soul rose to its Author, with the
chirping of the solitary birds, which began to feel, rather than see,
advancing day. I had leisure to mark its progress. The grey morn,
streaked with silvery rays, ushered in the orient beams (how beautifully
varying into purple!), yet I was sorry to lose the soft watery clouds
which preceded them, exciting a kind of expectation that made me almost
afraid to breathe, lest I should break the charm. I saw the sun--and
sighed.

One of my companions, now awake, perceiving that the postillion had
mistaken the road, began to swear at him, and roused the other two, who
reluctantly shook off sleep.

We had immediately to measure back our steps, and did not reach Stromstad
before five in the morning.

The wind had changed in the night, and my boat was ready.

A dish of coffee, and fresh linen, recruited my spirits, and I directl