Visit to Iceland and the Scandinavian NorthPfeiffer, Ida
History
Visit to Iceland and the Scandinavian North
Pfeiffer, Ida
Iceland -- Description and travel; Old Norse poetry -- History and criticism; Scandinavia -- Description and travel
The royal castle of Haga is surrounded by a magnificent park, which owes
little to art; it contains some of the finest trees, with here and there
a hill, and is crossed by majestic alleys and well-kept roads for driving
and walking. The palace itself is so small, that I could not but admire
the moderation of the royal family; but I was informed that this is the
smallest of their summer palaces.
Nearly opposite to this park is the great cemetery; but as it has only
existed for about seventeen years, the trees in it are yet rather young.
This would be of little consequence in other countries, but in Sweden the
cemeteries serve as promenades, and are crossed by alleys, ornamented
with groves, and provided with seats for the accommodation of visitors.
This cemetery is surrounded by a dark pine-forest, and really seems quite
shut off from the outer world. It is the only burial-place out of the
town; the others all lie between the churches and the neighbouring
houses, whose fronts often form the immediate boundary. Burials take
place there constantly, so that the inhabitants are quite familiar with
the aspect of death.
From the great cemetery a road leads to the neighbouring Karlberg, which
is the academy for military and naval cadets. The extensive buildings
attached to this seminary are built on the slope of a mountain, which is
washed on one side by the waters of the lake, and surrounded on the other
by the beautiful park-plantations.
Before leaving Stockholm I had the honour of being introduced to her
majesty the Queen of Sweden. She had heard of my travels, and took a
particular interest in my account of Palestine. In consequence of this
favour, I received the special permission to inspect the whole interior
of the palace. Although it was inhabited, I was conducted, not only
through the state-rooms, but through all the private rooms of the court.
It would be impossible to describe the splendour which reigns here, the
treasures of art, the magnificent appointments, and the evident taste
every where displayed. I was delighted with all the treasures and
splendour, but still more with the warm interest with which her majesty
conversed with me about Palestine. This interview will ever dwell on my
memory as the bright salient point of my northern expedition.
EXCURSION TO THE OLD ROYAL CASTLE OF GRIPTHOLM ON THE MALARSEE
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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