n we arrived at the celebrated locks near Trollhatta.
They are of gigantic construction, which the largest states would be
honoured in completing, and which occasion surprise when found in a
country ranking high neither in extent nor in influence. There are
eleven locks here, which rise 112 feet in a space of 3500 feet. They are
broad, deep, blasted out of the rock, and walled round with fine
freestone. They resemble the single steps of a giant's staircase; and by
this name they might fitly rank as one of the wonders of the world. Lock
succeeds lock, mighty gates close them, and the large vessel rises
miraculously to the giddy heights in a wildly romantic country.

[Picture: Falls of Trollhatta]

Scarcely arrived at the locks, the traveller is surrounded by a crowd of
boys, who offer their services as guides to the waterfalls near
Trollhatta. There is abundance of time for this excursion; for the
passage of the ship through the many locks occupies three to four hours,
and the excursion can be made in half the time. Before starting, it is,
however, advisable to climb the rock to which the locks ascend. A
pavilion is erected on its summit, and the view from it down over all the
locks is exceedingly fine.

Pretty paths hewn out of the wood lead to Trollhatta, which is charmingly
situated in a lovely valley, surrounded by woods and hills, on the shore
of a river, whose white foaming waves contrast strongly with the dark
foliage of the overshadowing groves. The canal, which describes a large
semicircle round the chief stream, glitters in the distance; but the
highest locks are quite concealed behind rocks; we could neither observe
the opening of the gates nor the rising of the water in them, and were
therefore surprised when suddenly the masts and then the ship itself rose
from the depth. An invisible hand seemed to raise it up between the
rocks.

The falls of the river are less distinguished for their height than for
their diversity and their volumes of water. The principal arm of the
river is divided at the point of decline into two equal falls by a little
island of rock. A long narrow suspension-bridge leads to this island,
and hangs over the fall; but it is such a weak, frail construction, that
one person only can cross it at a time. The owner of this dangerous path
keeps it private, and imposes a toll of about 3.5d. on all passengers.

A peculiar sensation oppresses the traveller cr