The Argosy — page 386: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Under Northern Sktes. 365 is diversified with a multitude of islands. There are channels so numerous and intricate that to steer one’s course amongst them would seem the lesson of a lifetime. Forests abound. More than half Sweden is forest-land. Wild, beautiful forests, where you may revel in endless solitudes, in the song of the birds, the murmur of running streams, the fine fresh air of heaven, far from the haunts of men, the roar of cities. Down that channel to the left, the banks on either side lined with whispering and waving woods, you presently come to Sodertelje and all the picturesque life of the little town. Old women besiege you with cakes and cherries, make a small fortune and get excited with prosperity whilst the boat is being piloted through the locks. Just beyond this you gain your first experience of the Gotha canal. But bear to the right, as we did to-day, and you will soon come to a broad, beautiful bay, crowned by the small town of Mariefred, a church and quiet graveyard overshadowing the landing-stage. On the opposite shore rises the imposing castle of Gripsholm, with its four unequal brick towers and their vane-pointed domes. In this sheltered bay it is warm and pleasant. The icy wind gains no entrance here ; one feels in paradise. Great coats and furs are discarded and given over to the care of the fat, good-looking, good- natured stewardess. ‘The captain speaks excellent English, is agree- able and attentive, as if to do his best for you were not only his duty but his delight. ‘‘ Often as I have been to Mariefred,” said he, ‘‘I have never yet seen Gripsholm. But the day is so fine and we have so much time before us that I shall pay it my first visit.” We upheld him in this laudable determination. ‘ Dinner on board after we start again,” he added. “There is an inn at Mariefred, but I don’t think you would like it.” We assured him that dinner on board and on deck had charms above and beyond the close confinement of the most illustrious restaurant, or of the Grand Hotel itself. Everyone filed off in detachments, each to his own, to rally under the castle roof. ‘The most conspicuous member of the cavalcade was, of course, an English spinster of uncertain age and severe aspect, who, in blue spectacles, a mushroom hat and a crinoline, looked as if her mission was to uphold the traditions of a past generation. The walk led through the hilly churchyard and the small town, quiet and unpretending as an abandoned village. Rows of straight, deserted streets, looking very much like a huge toy set out for a child’s amusement, rather than a habitation for the sons of men. Houses built of wood, painted many colours, white and yellow es- pecially: none of them more than two stories high, many of one floor only, like lengthened bungalows. Windows, clean-curtained and carefully kept, were adorned with flourishing plants, evidently esteemed. The place was absolutely deserted ; life seemed stagnant. comicbooks (CO