the Saint, etc. Absolute consistency would, however, give to some names a too cumbrous look, as, for instance, Einar the Twanger of Thamb (Thamb being the name of his bow), and I have in such instances kept the Norse name (Thambarskelver). It is a pleasant duty to acknowledge my indebtedness for valuable criticism to my friends, E. Munroe Smith, J.U.D., Adjunct Professor of History in Columbia College, and Hon. Rasmus B. Andersen, United States Minister to Denmark, without whose kindly aid in procuring books, maps, etc., the difficulties in the preparation of the present volume would have been much increased. I am also under obligation to Dr. W. H. Carpenter, of Columbia College, and to the Norwegian artist, Mr. H. N. Gausta, of La Crosse, Wis., who has kindly sent me two spirited original compositions, illustrative of peasant-life in Norway. HJALMAR H. BOYESEN. COLUMBIA COLLEGE, NEW YORK, April 15, 1886. CONTENTS. I. PAGE WHO WERE THE NORSEMEN? 1-12 The Aryan migrations, 1-3--The physical characteristics of Norway, 4, 5--Early tribal organization and means of livelihood, 6-10--Sense of independence and aptitude for self-government, 10-12. II. THE RELIGION OF THE NORSEMEN 13-24 Theories regarding the origin of the Scandinavian gods, 13-16--The Eddaic account of the creation of the world and of man, 16-18--The world-tree Ygdrasil, 18--The _Aesir_, their functions and their dwellings, 19-23--Loke the Evil-Doer and his terrible children, 23, 24. III. THE AGE OF THE VIKINGS.--ORIGIN OF THE VIKING CRUISES 25-44 The Norsemen launch forth upon the arena of history, 25--The origin of the viking cruises, 25-27--Kingship among the Scandinavian tribes, 27, 28--The three periods of the viking age, 28-30--The contribution of the vikings to the political life of Europe, 30, 31--Sigfrid of Nortmannia, 31--Godfrey the Hunter, 31, 32---Charlemagne's prophecy in regard to the vikings, 32-34--Hasting's stratagem, 34-36--Ragnar, Asgeir, and Rörek, 36, 37--Thorgisl in Ireland, 38, 39--Olaf the White, 40, 41--The vikings in England, 41--Simeon of Durham's account of the vikings, 42--The character of the vikings at home and abroad, 43, 44. IV. HALFDAN THE SWARTHY 45-51 The descent of the Yngling race, 45--The sacrifices of Aun the Old, 45--Olaf the Wood-cutter, Halfdan Whiteleg, and Godfrey the Hunter, 46--Birth of Halfdan the Swarthy, 46 Sigurd Hjort and the _Berserk_ Hake, 47, 48--Halfdan the Swarthy weds Ragnhild, 48--Ragnhild's dream, 48--King Halfdan's dream, 49--Birth of Harold the Fairhaired, 49--The Finn's trick, 50--King Halfdan's death, 51. V. HAROLD THE FAIRHAIRED 52-73