DENMARK. HE continental portion of Denmark is bounded on the north by the channel of the Skagerrack, on the west by the North Sea, on the south by Germany, and on the east by the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat. The total area is 14,553 English square miles, and the population, at the last census, was 1,940,362. The continental portion of Denmark belongs to the great RJUKANFOS, 211. DRONTHEIM TO HAM MERFEST AND THE NORTH CAPE, . 821 821 822 823 European plain, and is almost entirely level. There are some inequalities of surface in the interior of Holstein, but the elevation is very inconsiderable. The coasts are generally low, and the western shores are in many places protected from inundations of the sea by means of dykes, as in Holland. The rivers are inconsiderable in point of size; the Eyder, which forms the boundary between Sleswig and Holstein, flows into the North Sea, and is navigable for small vessels below the town of Rendsburg, whence a canal connects it with the town of Kiel, on the Baltic coast. Near the eastern borders of the kingdom is the Trave, which flows into the Baltic below Lubeck. There are a great number of lakes, both on the mainland and in the island, generally of small size. The islands that belong to Denmark comprise, besides those situated at the entrance of the Baltic, Iceland, and the group of the Faroe Islands. The climate of Denmark is humid, but generally temperate; vapours and moist fogs are of frequent occurrence, owing to the abundance of water; but these are dispersed by the strong winds which prevail during a great part of the year. The winter is frequently severe, and both snow and rain are of almost constant occurrence during that season. SWEDEN and NORWAY occupy the north-western portion of Europe-a peninsular region to which the name of Scandinavia has been given. Norway lies along the western side of the peninsula Sweden occupies its eastern and broader division. Although distinguished by separate names, the two countries form, in reality, but parts of one region in a geographical sense, and they are united politically. The kingdoms of Sweden and Norway were consolidated into a single state in 1814. The entire area of the Scandinavian peninsula is 292,700 square miles, of which Sweden contains about 170,000. The seas, rivers, and lakes generally abound in fish. In the Lofoden Islands, the fisheries not only supply a large proportion of the ordinary food of the peasantry, both in Sweden and Norway, but a great quantity of the better kind is exported. The rivers in the northern part of Norway are much resorted to by visitors on account of the abundance of fine salmon which they contain. The peculiar physical character of Norway gives rise to considerable variations of climate throughout the country. On the coast generally, rain and fogs prevail; while in the regions near the North Cape, storms are almost incessant, and rage with extraordinary violence. In the interior the air is clear and dry. In Norway proper the winters, as a rule, are long and cold; and the summers, which rapidly follow the melting of the snows in April and May, are warm and pleasant. On the islands, however, the heats of summer are often insufficient to ripen the corn. The protracted winter of the northern regions follows almost suddenly on the disappearance of the sun, when the absence of solar light is compensated for by the frequent appearance of the aurora borealis, which shines with sufficient intensity to allow of the prosecution of ordinary occupations. The chief rivers of Norway are the Glommen, Lougen, Louven, Drammen, Otter, and Wormen. The first of these has a course of 400 miles, but the majority of Norwegian streams, all of which rise at great elevations, have a comparatively short course, and are not navigable. Sweden forms three great regions-Swealand in the centre, Gothland in the south, and Nordland in the north. These are divided politically into 24 governments, or Lans, of which 8 are in Sweden proper, 12 in Gothland, and the remaining 4 in Nordland, which last division includes the Swedish portion of Lapland. Unlike Norway, Sweden possesses few high mountains, but contains numerous lakes of large dimensions. In the northern parts the land rises gradually from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Kiolen mountains, which form the boundary between Sweden and Norway. South of 62° north latitude the slope is directed southward, attaining its lowest level in the vicinity of the three great lakes of Wenern, Malar, and Hielmar, which nearly intersect the country from east to west; and south of these great inland waters the surface is in general level, though ranges of high ground and detached hills occur. The rivers of Sweden are numerous, and the lakes, which are on a gigantic scale, give to the scenery of the country several of its grandest features. The most important of the latter are lakes Wenern, Wettern, and Malar. The population of the United Kingdom, at the last census, was 6,338,765. DANISH, SWEDISH, AND NORWEGIAN MONEY.-The three countries have had, since January 1, 1877, the same currency, which consists of Kroner, or crowns, and ore, 100 ore making 1 Krone. The Krone is equivalent to about thirteen pence English, or 26 cents. American money. The new coins are 20 Kroner, gold (equal to 5 of the old specie dollars), 10 Kroner, gold. The silver coins arel Krone, 50 ore, and 25 ore. The paper money consists of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Kroner notes. MEASURES.-The Norwegian mile is equal to about 7 English miles, or 7.018. Steamers leave Hull at frequent intervals for all the chief ports of Norway; twice a week or oftener from Kiel and Lubeck for Korsor, Copenhagen, and the principal ports of Sweden and Norway. Persons liable to sea-sickness, and wishing to avoid the dis comforts of the North Sea passage from Hull, may go by way of Dover and Calais, and thence to Hamburg, Kiel, and Korsor in Denmark, thus avoiding all sea travel except the 1 hour between Dover and Calais, and the short and not uncomfortable trip from Kiel to Korsor. ROUTE 198. HAMBURG TO COPENHAGEN, BY SCHLESWIG. 220 miles; time by railway, 16 hours. First class, 45.20 m.; second, 35.10 m. EAVING the terminus at Altona, we presently reach Elmshorn on the Krukau. The country is fertile, but abounding in marshes. A branch line goes off to Itzehoe, by way of Gluckstadt, an important commercial town of 6,000 inhabitants, on the Elbe, with a good port, and carrying on a considerable fishing trade. Neumunster (46 miles), population 6,900, has several cloth manufactories. [From Neumunster a line goes direct to KIEL see page 505. Steamers sail frequently for Korsor and Copenhagen.] Passing Rendsburg, we reach SCHLESWIG (85 miles), (Hotel: Stadt Hamburg), in a pleasant situation on the Bay of Schlei, former residence of the Dukes. The cathedral is the only object of interest. Passing several unimportant stations, we reach VAMDRUP (160 miles), the first Danish station. We next reach Kolding, the capital of Jutland, situated on the gulf of that name. Above it rise the ruins of a castle built in the thirteenth century. We next reach FREDERICIA (178 miles), where we leave the train and cross the Little Belt, the name given to the strait separating Jutland from Funen. The landing place is at Middelfart. We go on to ODENSE (187 miles), a town of 15,000 inhabitants, the capital of Funen, and one of the oldest towns in Denmark. According to tradition it was founded by Odin, whose tumulus and castle, near the lake of Naesbyhoved, a short distance from Odense, are shown. The Cathedral, founded by Canute in the year 1080, and restored in 1300, is a very fine structure. The Raadhaus is very ancient. The popular writer, Andersen, and the sculptor, Jerichau, were natives of this place. At Nyborg (205 miles) we embark in steamer, and cross the Great Belt to Korsor, where the railway is taken. At Soro there is an academy, established in the 12th century, and a beautiful Gothic church, containing the tombs of the Bishop Absalon, the historian Holberg, and King Waldemar IV. The old church at Ringsted contains the tombs of seven Danish kings, and several monuments, among which is said to be that of Canute the Great. Roes а kilde (287 miles) was anciently the capital of the kingdom. The Gothic Cathedral was built by Canute the Great, in the 11th century, to atone for the murder of his brother-in-law. It con tains the tombs of 72 members of the royal family of Denmark. The most remarkable are those of Frederick IV. and V., Chris tian III. and IV., by Thorwaldsen; of Frederick II., a beautiful alabaster mausoleum; and of Queen Margaret. The altar is adorned with sculptures, representing the Nativity and the Passion. Passing several unimportant places, we reach COPENHAGEN (Hotels: see "HoTEL LIST"). ARRIVAL.-Porters carry baggage from the steamboat landing to the custom-house, where it is examined, and thence to a cab, 1 cwt., 15 ore. Cab from station or harbour into the town, 70 ore; baggage, 15 ore per package. ENGLISH CHURCH SERVICE.— Stormgade, 21, service at 11 a.m. THEATRES.-National Theatre, handsome structure, holding 1700 persons; Casino. The principal PLACE is the Kongens Nytorv, from which extend 13 streets (upon it are the Palace of Charlottenborg, the theatre, military school, and many fine buildings); and the Fredericks Plads, surrounded by palaces. The principal streets are the Amaliegade, Norgesgade, and Goethersgade. The Frue Kirke (church of the Virgin) was destroyed by the English fleet, in the bombardment of 1807, but restored in 1829. It is adorned with sculptures by Thorwaldsen, including the preaching of John the Baptist, the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, the Redeemer, the Guardian Angel, the Twelve Apostles, &c.; the choir, in the form of a rotunda, is surmounted by a cupola; there is an excellent view from the summit of the tower. In front of this church are bronze statues of Moses and David. The Church of the Trinity was erected in the 17th century, by Christian IV. The vaulted roof rests on 14 octagonal pillars; the altar, the pulpit, the stalls, and most of the decorations are of carved wood. This is commonly called the Runde Kirke (Round church), from its lofty round tower, or belfry, which is ascended by a spiral inclined plane. recon The PALACE OF CHRISTIANSBORG stands on the site of the palace of Bishop Absalon. The present building was structed in 1830. Its principal facade is adorned with a pediment sculptured by Borup, four bas-reliefs by Thorwaldsen, and four statues in bronze, one by Thorwaldsen, the remainder by Bissen. The finest apartment is the Riddersaal or Hall of the Knights; its gallery, supported by sixteen Corinthian columns, is ornamented with a bas-relief by Bissen. In the antechamber is the celebrated frieze by Thorwaldsen, representing the entry of Alexander into Babylon. More than 300 figures are introduced, and the total extent of the frieze is about 350 ft. The chapel is simple, but elegant; the four Ionic columns of the facade support a pediment with bas-reliefs executed by Borup after Thorwaldsen's designs. This palace contains a Gallery of Paintings, comprising some of the works of the best masters; a Library of 450,000 volumes. The THORWALDSEN MUSEUM, near the palace, was constructed in 1846, by public subscription. The principal facade is in the Egyptian style; the pediment is crowned by a classic car with four horses, in bronze. The other facades have frescoes of the Etruscan order. In the centre of the great court is the tomb of Thorwaldsen (born 1770, died 1844). Altogether the museum contains 648 sculptures by the great artist; 550 of his designs; 1,000 designs by contemporary artists; more than 300 paintings, for the most part modern; Egyp tian, Greek and Roman antiquities; cameos, busts, &c. The PALACE OF THE PRINCES, near the Christiansborg, contains the Museum of Northern Antiquities; the Ethnographical Museum; the Cabinet of Antiquities; the Cabinet of Engravings; and the Museum of Natural History. The AMALIENBORG consists of four adjoining palaces, forming an octagonal space, in the centre of which is the equestrian statue of Frederick V. In one of the chambers are exhibited two of the earliest efforts of Thorwaldsen, Terpsichore and Euterpe. In the Anna Place is the statue of the national poet Oelenschlaeger, erected in 1861. The Castle of Rosenborg, in the beautiful garden of Kongens Have, was constructed in 1604 by Inigo Jones. It contains many objects of historical interest, such as the sword of Charles XII., &c., tapestries representing the deeds of Charles V., Runic stones, medals, arms, &c. ; in the Riddersaal is a throne of massive silver. The University, established in 1478, has upwards of 1,000 students. The facade is adorned with a bas-relief, representing a soaring eagle. In the interior are fine statues by Bissen, and frescoes by Hausen. In connection with the university are a museum of anatomy, another of botany, a botanical garden, and a library of 300,000 volumes. Before the university are the busts, in bronze, on granite pedestals, of the botanist Schouw, and the composer Weyse. The Bourse has a curious tower, upwards of 170 ft. high, of which the crown is composed of the tails of four dragons, intertwined. It is said that these figures were brought from Kalmar by Christian IV. as a trophy of victory over the Swedes. The lower |