er,
the fire of whose eyes, tempered by infantine tenderness, still warms my
breast; even when gazing on these tremendous cliffs sublime emotions
absorb my soul. And, smile not, if I add that the rosy tint of morning
reminds me of a suffusion which will never more charm my senses, unless
it reappears on the cheeks of my child. Her sweet blushes I may yet hide
in my bosom, and she is still too young to ask why starts the tear so
near akin to pleasure and pain.

I cannot write any more at present. To-morrow we will talk of Tonsberg.

LETTER VII.

Though the king of Denmark be an absolute monarch, yet the Norwegians
appear to enjoy all the blessings of freedom. Norway may be termed a
sister kingdom; but the people have no viceroy to lord it over them, and
fatten his dependants with the fruit of their labour.

There are only two counts in the whole country who have estates, and
exact some feudal observances from their tenantry. All the rest of the
country is divided into small farms, which belong to the cultivator. It
is true some few, appertaining to the Church, are let, but always on a
lease for life, generally renewed in favour of the eldest son, who has
this advantage as well as a right to a double portion of the property.
But the value of the farm is estimated, and after his portion is assigned
to him he must be answerable for the residue to the remaining part of the
family.

Every farmer for ten years is obliged to attend annually about twelve
days to learn the military exercise, but it is always at a small distance
from his dwelling, and does not lead him into any new habits of life.

There are about six thousand regulars also in garrison at Christiania and
Fredericshall, who are equally reserved, with the militia, for the
defence of their own country. So that when the Prince Royal passed into
Sweden in 1788, he was obliged to request, not command, them to accompany
him on this expedition.

These corps are mostly composed of the sons of the cottagers, who being
labourers on the farms, are allowed a few acres to cultivate for
themselves. These men voluntarily enlist, but it is only for a limited
period (six years), at the expiration of which they have the liberty of
retiring. The pay is only twopence a day and bread; still, considering
the cheapness of the country, it is more than sixpence in England.

The distribution of landed property into small farms produces a degree of
equality which I