Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XI. In Sweden Again—Reception at My Old Home—Visit to Northern Sweden—Field Maneuvers in Sweden—The Opening of Parliament—In Norway—Visit in Stockholm—Royal Palaces—The Göta Canal—A Trip to Finland and Russia—King Oscar II.—A Trip to Dalarne in the Winter
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Story of an Emigrant.
3 35
under the guidance of my eieerone. This was of course a
rare treat, and it brought me in contact with many
prominent citizens and officers. We also took a ride out in the
country to see the condition of the peasants. In common
with all other Swedes I have always sympathized with
unfortunate Finland, in the belief that its people must be very
unhappy and yearn for a reunion with Sweden. This proved
to be a great misconception. What a peculiar
contradiction ! The Russian despots treat the Fins with generosity
and justice, and as far as I could understand, the people were
highly pleased with Russian supremacy, and would not
become subjects of Sweden again, even if they could.*
The following winter I had the honor of meeting King
Oscar, of Sweden, at the funeral solemnities arranged by the
grand lodge of Free Masons on the occasion of the death of
King Charles XV. I have attended quite a number of official
gatherings of different kinds in different countries, and seen
persons vested with the highest authority conducting the
same, but as to true dignity and lofty majesty, King Oscar
excelled them all. When I compare him with the czar of all
the Russias, or compare the condition of the Swedes with
that of their Russian neighbors, I thank God for my old
native land and its noble king.
Of my numerous trips in Sweden I must mention one in
particular,— a journey by sleigh,—in company with my old
friend Karl Mollersvard, from Upsala to Gefle, and from
Falun south, through Dalarne, past Smedjebaeken, and the
lakes below this to Vesten\s. The beauty of the country of a
northern clime does not show itself in its entire splendor
until dressed in the garb of winter. The branches of the
mighty pines loaded down by the dazzling snow; millions of
snow crystals, more beautiful than diamonds, glittering from
♦Since the above was written the Russian government has shown a
disposition to treat Finland in a way that will soon change the friendly feelings of the
Finnish people.
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