[1] See Lempriere’s Classical Dictionary.

[2] His application has been refused.

[3] Since the above was written, we find that the plot is thickening. Archdeacon Brun, of Norderhoug, insists on all communicants being examined by him previously to being admitted to the rite; while, at Sarpsborg, there has been a meeting to discuss the sin of eating the blood of animals, and the possibility of holiness free from sin in this life.

[4] Their days always began with the sunset of the day before. Our fortnight and se’night are lingering reminiscences of this old Norsk method of calculation by nights instead of days.

[5] In the original, kinn = cheek.

[6] (See Oxonian in Norway, second edition, p. 170.) Close to this desolate spot lives the mÖller-gut (miller’s lad) as he is called, whose real name is Tarjei Augaardson. This man is a famous fiddler. His countryman, Ole Bull, hearing of his musical talents, sent for him, and he often played in public at Christiania and Bergen. He now only exercises his talents at bryllups (weddings), receiving at times ten dollars and upwards, which are chiefly contributed by the guests. With the money earned by him in the capital he bought a farm in this desolate spot; but he seems but ill-adapted for the bonder’s life, and is much in debt. Could not he emulate Orpheus, and set some of these rocks dancing off which now encumber the land?

[7] “Yea” and “nay,” in Wiclif’s time, and a good deal later, were the answers to questions framed in the affirmative. “Will he come?” To this would have been replied “yea” and “nay,” as the case might be. But “Will he not come?” To this the answer would have been “yes” or “no.” Sir T. More finds fault with Tyndal that in his translation of the Bible he had not observed this distinction, which was evidently going out even then,—that is, in the reign of Henry VIII.; and, shortly after, it was quite forgotten.—Trench’s Study of Words.

[8] “Under circumstances of most privation I found no comfort so welcome as tea. We drank immoderately of it, and always with advantage.”—Dr. Kane’s Arctic Voyage.

[9] The greatest height at which grouse have been seen was by Schlagentweit in the Himalaya, 11,000 feet above the sea.

[10] Many of these stones are so nicely balanced, that they may be moved without losing their equilibrium. Hence they are called Rokke-steene (rocking-stones). Formerly they were looked upon as ancient funereal monuments, like similar upright stones in Great Britain and elsewhere. Lieut. Mawry, who overturned the Logan stone, and was forced to set it up again at his own expense, might indulge his peculiar tastes with impunity in this country.

[11]

[12] Tordenskiold was a renowned admiral. According to tradition, he never would have a man on board his ship who would not stand up at a few paces with outstretched arm, and a silver coin in his fingers, and let him have a shot at it. The Norwegian still considers it an honour to trace his descent from one who served under Tordenskiold.

[13] It begins thus—

[14] Ordinarily on the high roads these animals are unshod, and yet seem to take no damage from the want of this defence. One is reminded of the text—“Their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint.” The shoe of the mountain horses is usually fastened on with four prodigious nails.

[15] The following is the printed tariff of charges at these places. It is fixed by the Voged of the district:

N.B.—Servants nothing, but if a traveller stops in cold room for half an hour without taking any refreshment, he must pay 4 skill, or if in a warm one, 8 skill.”

It must be observed that the latter charges are never enforced, and that in some districts a bed is only 12 skill, and a cup of coffee 5 skill.

[16] Emerson.

[17] From “kige,” to spy, still extant in the Scottish word “to keek.”

[18] To life also sometimes. Thus, King Ormud was overwhelmed, Snorro tells us, by a rush of stones and mud caused by rain after snow.

[19] The famous Oldenburg horn was, according to Danish tradition, given by a mountain sprite to Count Otto of Oldenburg.

[20] The robber chief, Kombaldos, in Chinese Tartary, is related by Atkinson to have entertained a similar idea.

[21] In the Isle of Man, so long occupied by Norwegians, we find a similar legend. At the good woman’s second accouchement, Waldron relates, a noise was heard in the cow-house, which drew thither the whole assistants. They returned, on finding that all was right among the cattle, and lo! the second child had been carried from the bed, and dropped in a lane.

[22] Faye, Norske Folkesagn.

[23] I have not succeeded in obtaining any satisfactory information about this plant.