THE SCANDINAVIANS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1520, 1 April 1882, Page 3

THE SCANDINA VIANS.

There are, according to M. tlu Chailln, many admirable and many curious customs amongst the Scandinavians. Of the curious may be mentioned the social bath ; something after the manner of the primitive bathing of Japan. If it is not consonant with our notions of propriety, it is warmly defended by the traveller, who contends that only evil minds can see evil in the practice. Other examples, less maiked, perhaps, are given. At a grand wedding, at which he was an Honored guest, a small bright red house, containing a single room, was assigned to him during the week of the festivities. The furniture consisted of two fixed beds, opposite each other, with a window between ; bufc, on account of the great number of guests who had arrived from a distance, a temporary couch also had been tmt in. I was the first to retire, and lad hardly done so when the bride and the sister of the brulegioom came in and paid, " Paul are you asleep ?" On my saying no, each added, " I hope you will have a good time during the wedding ;' and taking off their shoes, and partly dressed, they lay down on the bed opposite mine. This was the true Diilecarle hospitality — a mark of honor and respect. I was trusted as if I was a Dalccarhan, for the girls said, 'We come to keep you company ; we do not want you to feol lonely, for it is not pleasant to be all alone in a house.' Soon after a dalkaid and a. handsome dalkulla to whom he mas engaged, came in, ami both lay, fully dressed, on the othei couch, and fell fast asleep in eacli other's arms. At three o'clock I was awakened by the bride, who was putting on her shoes ; she was going to the house of her future father-in-law to begin her toilet, as several honis arc requiied for this ceremony on Dalecarlia. But there is much in the habits of the people to give a delightful air of innoceney to all such proceedings. For example, when dv Chaillu started on a difficult journey of several days, a pretty young girl of seventeen, Elsa Karolina, was sent with him as his guide. Young women, pleasing and innocent, act as sledge drivers and stewards on steamers. Of fie admirable customs the author giies many examples. Filial respect and obedience are characteristics of the lace. When the father of a family is grown old his son takes his place, providing for his rest and comfort before all else. In the country houses of the higher classes the life is simple in the extreme ; yet this simplicity is- combined with culture and refinement. We cannot read without envy of the maintenance of those habits once popular in Eugland, when home manufacture was the rule and not the exception ; when the spindle and shuttle, the malthouse and bakery, were integral parts of our domestic economy ; and master and man, mistress and maid, were well-known and tried friends to each other. This happy condition still exists in Scandinavian country life, bringing in its train plenty and contentment. Of the same nature but having some objectionable features in it, is the unbounded hospitality thrust upon the guests. Our traveller tells of having had to consume thirty meals in two days, there being no escape from compliance with his vaiious entertainer's pressing invitations. In this respect he remarks :—: — One of the peculiarities of the Norwegian farmer is that etiquette demands that a friend when visiting him shall ignore that the preparations made on his arrival are on his account. The guest is no sooner seated himself than coffee is roasted, the coffee-pot put on the fire, and food prepared. When Ive sees that everything is nearly ready, he gets up and says "Good-bye," upon which he is entreated to remain, and, after a little resistance on his part, is led upstairs or into the next room. The coffee-cups are always filled to overflowing, or otherwise it would appear stingy. Another custom that amused me greatly is when milk or branvin is offered ; the guest first refuses, saying, "Do not waste it on me." The host insists on his dunking ; then the guest sips and returner the bowl or glass, saying, "It is too much." Another remonstrance takes place, and then, the third time, he swallows the contents of the glass. ,

Ayrich inaiione day asked a man of wit wha'tSfprt of a thing opulence was. — ' ' It is a tgjtng," replied the philosopher, " which can give a rascal the advantage over an honest man." Ma Byron Moore, the new secretary to the Victoria Racing Club, is making an immense number of improvements on the Flemington course. "Augur," the Aus tralasian's sporting writer, does not how ever, give Mr Bagot's successor any credit for these, but sneers at anything he does. This is easily accounted for, because "Augur,' was one of the xxnsuccesaful candidates for the position now so ably fiHed by Mr Moore.