Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - X
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
Chap X ■ CARNIVAL IN AMAK. 159
On Shrove Tuesday, up to the days of King ChristianV.,
and may be later, the Court were accustomed to hold a
carnival in the island of Amak, disguising themselves
in the habits of North Holland boors,’ with great trunk
hose, short jackets, and large blue capes ; the ladies in
blue petticoats and odd head-dresses. Thus accoutred,
they got up into common country waggons, in each a
man before and a woman behind, and drove off to a
farmhouse in the island, and there danced to the sound of
bagpipes and fiddles, having first partaken of a country
dinner off earthen platters and with wooden spoons, all
etiquette being laid aside, and little regard paid to
Majesty or quality. At night they drove home by
torchlight, and were entertained at the Comedy, and
partook of a grand supper, spending the evening in the
same habits, which they never put off till the next day.*
Two bridges connect this island with the town of
Copenhagen: one leads into the street before the Bourse.
You should observe the arms of Christianshavn over the
archway: a blue tower, three crowns, the cipher of King
Christian, its founder, supported by two lions. The
view from the canal on this side of the bridge is novel to
the eye; you take the city from a different point,
back-ways. But we will cross over the second bridge, and so
gain the ramparts, by which the whole city, including
Christianshavn, is surrounded.
It is a pleasant stroll on a fine bright morning along
the ramparts of the city, laid out with avenues, and
commanding the adjacent country. If the weather is
hot, you bend your course under the shade of the
thick-planted trees; in colder weather, the sun is always there
* Molesworth.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
