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226 TRAVELS
in which we lodged; to the left were places for cattle. In fpeak~
ing of the dwelling of a Finnifh peafant, I think I thall gratify the
reader by the annexed engraving, reprefenting the infide of the
houfe, where, at the fame time, a {cene of domeftic amufement
_ is exhibited, which is not infrequent among the Finnith peafantry.
One of the men is playing on the national inftrument of Finland,
called the harpu (which will be defcribed more particularly here-
after) while two other men, being feated oppolite « each other, and -
having their hands locked together, accompany ‘the inftrument
with their fong and the motion of their bodies, raifing each other
alternately from their feats. ‘The other part of the company en-
joy the fcene as fpectators. |
The fimple accommodation, eafe and contentment of this hof-
pitable Finlander forms a ftriking contraft to the exceffive luxury
of the great in Europe. It feems impoflible to behold the agri-
cultural {tate of life without feeling attachment to it; and though
I am not infenfible to the pleafures and bleffings which Inbaurious
ages produce, yet when refinements in fociety give rife to fuch fe-
verith and pernicious defires, as induce great landed proprietors to
fly from the country to overgrown cities, and forfeit their influ-
ence, independence, and eftates, for worthlefs pageantry and frivo-
lous baubles; and when by folly lefs excufable than Efau’s, they
involve in their ruin thoufands of induftrious members of fociety,
‘we unavoidably overlook many cares and anxieties which mutt at-
tend this artlefs fcene of life, and forget the exquifite enjoyments
of polifhed focieties. ; m
CHAPTER
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