The present state of Denmark and reflections upon the ancient state thereof. Together with a particular account of the birth, education, martial atchievements and brave performances of His Royal Highness Prince George, only brother of His present Majesty of Denmark. / By G. Pierreville Gent. Secretary to the King's Minister at the Court of Denmark.

NORWAY.

NORWAY is bounded in the South with the Baltick Straits, which se∣parate it from Juitland; on the East with Poland and Sweden, from which it is parted by a perpetual Ridge of rough and wild Mountains, called the Dofrine Hills; in the North and West with the Northern Ocean: the whole length of it, from the Baltick Sea as far as Finmark, is reckoned to be about Eight hundred and forty English Miles.

As for the Derivation of its Name Norway (or Norweg as the Germans write it; whence the Latin word Norwegia) is only Via seutractus septentrionalis; i.e. A Countrey scituated towards the North. Hence in the Danish, Swedish, and Norwe∣gian Tongues, 'tis to this day called Nor∣rike, or the Northern Kingdom; and we find that anciently all the Northern Kingdoms were called Regna Norica.

As for its Position, in regard of the Heavens, it reacheth from the first Parallel, of the Twelfth Clime, where the Pole is elevated 58 Degrees, 20 Minutes, as far as to 71 of Latitude, by which ac∣count the longest day in the Southern

Point is but 10 Hours: Whereas at Ward∣buy's, being situate farthest North of all this Countrey, they have no Night for almost Three Months together.

The Eastern Part of Norway is very thinly inhabited, being a Country of no∣thing but inaccessible Craggy Mountains; towards the South it is better peopled, the Inhabitants dwelling in pleasant Val∣leys incircled with delightful Hills; the rest of the Countrey is over-spread with Woods, which afford most part of Eu∣rope Deal Boards and Masts for Ships.

The Dofrine Hills which divide this Realm from Sweden, are perpetually co∣vered with Snow; and send down in∣tollerable bitter Winds into the Valleys beneath, which renders 'em desolate and unfruitful. But the Air of the more Western Coasts of this Kingdom is much more milder and temperate, and would be healthful too, were not the Countrey troubled with certain little Beasts which they call Lemmers: they are about the the bigness of a Field-Mouse, and are by the Inhabitants said to drop out of the Clouds in bad Weather; they devour like the Locust every green thing on the Earth; and at a certain time die all in heaps (as it were) together, and with their stench and putrefaction so poisonthe Air, that

the poor people are long after troubled with the Jaundice, and a Giddiness in the Head, which is most especially apt to seize on Strangers unacquainted with the danger, and unprepared against the Di∣stemper: But the Lemmers do not more frequently infest the Land, than the Whales do terrifie and molest the Sho res; yet the Mariners and Inhabitants of the Sea-Coasts have found out a Remedy a∣gainst their Violence and Fury, for they mingle some Water with the Oyl of Ca∣stor, the smell whereof doth force 'em to retire immediately; had not this help and expedient been found out, there would be no Fishing upon the Coasts of Nor∣way: which with Materials for Shipping is the greatest staple Commodity of the Country.

Their Valleys are well stock'd with good Breeds of Cattle, which enable the Inhabitants to Export every year great abundance of Butter, Tallow, Hides, and Cheese; Barley is their chief Grain. Their Woods furnish Timber, Pitch, Tar, Rich Furs, and vast plen∣ty of Filbirds: They also drive a great Trade with their Train-Oyl and Stock Fish, which is vended over all Europe.

In the Year 1623. Christian the Fourth King of Denmark, put several Artists up∣on

the search of some Gold and Silver Mines, and they are said to have found some Lumps of the Ore of both those Metals, which they Presented to that Prince. But whether the Ores lying so deep, it would not quit Costs, or that the thinness or ignorance of the Inhabi∣tants, in refining of Minerals themselves, with their jealousie and unwillingness to admit any Forreigners skill'd in that way into their Countrey; this Diicovery ne∣ver turned to any considerable Account.

The Norwegians jump much with the Danes in their Complexion and Humour, but are generally more effeminate and lazy; yet not naturally so, but thro want of Employment and Exercise. The Policy of the Crown of Denmark not thinking fit to employ this Nation in a∣ny Wars, for fear of enuring 'em, and making them expert in Arms. And thro this Umbrage, takes all the Courses im∣aginable to Cow and dispirit them. Now tho the ancient Norwegians are said to have been notorious Pyrats; yet at this day hardly any Seas are less infested with Pyracy than those of Norway. Not that the Modern Inhabitants are blest with more Honesty than their Ancestors, but the Danish sway is so rigorous, as not to allow them any Shipping, nor

any other means to pamper, grow resty, and head strong, but on the contrary fleeces, squeezes, and keeps them in the lowest servitude.

Their Diet is what they Export to o∣ther Countreys, principally Stock Fish, and a course kind of Butter and Cheese, Their usual Drink Rostock Ale, their man∣ner being commonly to drink three Draughts; one in remembrance of God, the second to the Kings Health, and the third to the Queens.

As the Towns in Norway are very thin, so the Buildings for the most part are very poor and miserable; generally patched up of dirt and hurdles, some∣what resembling our Cotrage Houses in the Fen Countreys.

As for the Government of this Coun∣trey, it is still reckoned a distinct King∣dom from that of Denmark; and had formerly Independant Kings of its own, who sometimes domineer'd over the ve∣ry Kings of Sweden and Denmark. But the last King of the Norwegian Race, who Reigned in their Kingdom, was Haguin; who in the year 1363 Married Margaret Eldest Daughter of Waldemar the third, King of Denmark, and so united the two Crowns. Now tho this King had only one Son by Queen Margaret, who died

without Issue, yet the Danes having once got footing in, and possession of this Kingdom, were resolved not to abandon such an advantage, nor part from their Station; and to secure it, immediately clapt strong Garrisons into all the Cities and Fortresses of moment in the Nation. For the better Management of the Go∣vernment, it is divided into five Prefe∣ctures answerable to the five Castles which command them.

Now 1. The Prefecture of Masterland or Maestrandt is situated most towards the South, and is commanded by the Ca∣stle of Bahuy's, now in the hands of the King of Sweden. That Castle was first Built by Haguin the IV. King of Norway, about the year 1309, upon a steep Rock on the Bank of the River Srollet, and then esteem'd the best Fort the King had in his Dominions; and a sufficient Barrier against the frequent Attacks and Inroads of the Swedes and Westro-Goths: Besides the City of Maestrandt noted for the in∣finite quantity of Herrings caught there∣about, there's two more of less note, Con∣gal and Oldawalt.

The 2. Prefecture contains the Bisho∣pricks of Anslo and Staffenger, with the Province of Aggerhuys, having under its Command, first the Towns of Anslo, Op∣slo,

or Asloia, possess of most repute, as being an Episcopal See, and the place where the Courts of Judicature are kept for all Norway. All Causes and Suits at Law being heard and determined before the Governour, who acts as Vice Roy of the Kingdom. The Cathedral of this Town is dedicated to Alward, who took great pains to Convert the Norwegian Pagans. This Church has to show the Sword of Haquin, one of their most Primitive Kings, being a signal Instance and Proof of the Strength and admirable Art of some Norwegians of former Ages. The Hilt of it is made of Chrystal curiou∣sly wrought and polished; whence some have inferred that the use of Chrystal was anciently much more ordinary in Norway, than it is at this day in any part of Europe.

Not far from Opslo on the opposite side of the Bay stands the Castle of Aggerhuysen; famous for the brave resistance it made the Swedish Army in the Year 1567, which laid a close and brisk Seige to it for Eigh∣teen Weeks together; but was at last beat off and forced to a shameful Retreat. Tons∣berg formerly a place of Retreat of the Kings of Norway, Hammer in former times a Bishops See, but now united to that of Op∣slo. Some Authors do affirm that near unto Hammer a huge and monstrous Serpent

doth constantly appear before any great Change in the State or Government of the Kingdom of Norway. Saltzburg, Frederik∣stadt and Scheene, driving all a considera∣ble Trade from the Copper and Iron Mines, which abound more hereabouts than in a∣ny other part of the Kingdom. In this Province were the Silver Mines above∣mentioned first discovered, and some of the adjoyning Hills, are by the Neighbour∣hood to this day called Silver Bergen, or the Mountains of Silver. Now Norway is in∣debted for the greatest part, if not all its Trade, to those Mines, and the migh∣ty Woods of Fir and Pinetrees which o∣verspread this part of the Country.

The City of Staffenger lies in 59 deg. (some reckon 60, and a great many odd min.) of Latitude, being seated upon a Demy-Island upon a great Bay of the Nor∣thern Ocean, full of small Islands, and guard∣ed by the strong Castle of Doeswick, which stands about two English Miles from the Town; this City is a Bishops See, and is divided into several Districts, tho in civil Affairs it is under the Jurisdiction of the Governour of Aggerhuysen.

Beyond the Bay is seen the Island Schute∣nes, Twelve English Miles in length, but scarce two in breadth: This Island con∣tains several Villages, and between it and

the Continent runs a narrow Frith to Ber∣ghen, which the Dutch Merchants call the Liedt van Berghen.

The Province of Tillemarch or Thyle∣march, appertaineth to the Bishoprick of Staffenger. The Parish or Hollen, in this Parish is very remarkable for a Church-Yard or Burying Place, on the top of a Church, Dedicated to St. Michael, which is cut out of a great high Rock, called by the Neighbourhood Vear, upon the Lake Nordsce, half a Mile distant from Scheen; 'tis thought by some to have been former∣la a Heathenish Temple, but converted to Christian uses upon the first planting of the Gospel in this Kingdom.

Bergenhuis is the third Castle of Com∣mand in Norway: This Prefecture and Bi∣shoprick, being the most fruitful and plea∣sant part of all Norway, lying in the mid∣dle or heart of the Kingdom, to the North of Aggerhuysen. It has its Name from the Stately and Noble Mart Town of Berghen; or else from the strong Castle of Bergenhuysen, the usual Seat of the Vice-Roy of Norway, at a small distance to the North of Berghen.

Berghen is the Granary and Magazine of the whole Kingdom of Norway, for Bahuys, it is distant about Fourty hundred English Miles by Sea, and Two hundred

and forty by Land; from Trunthein as ma∣ny; from Scagen, the outmost Promon∣tory of Juis Island, almost Three hundred and twenty. Some Etymologists have de∣rived its Name from the Norwegian Verb Berghen, which signifies to hide or conceal; because the Haven being surrounded with Hills, seems to be a kind of Sculking place for Ships, where Vessels of Two hundred Tun and upwards, ride in a spacious and most secure Harbour, free from any danger of Wind and Weather. But the true deriva∣tion of the word is this, Berghen in the Nor∣wegian Tongues also signifies Mountains, and Bergenhuysen a Company of Houses among the Hills. The Buildings of this Town till of late were but very mean and despise∣ble, for the most part of Wood covered with green Turf, and so often burnt down. But the Forreigners that have traded thi∣ther, within these few years have adorn'd the Town with an Exchange, and many goodly private Houses; the principal Com∣modity which Berghen Trades in, is Stock∣fish, which they catch upon those Coasts in Winter, commonly in January, for the con∣veniency of drying it in the cold and sharp Air, besides all sorts of Furrs, and vast quantities of dried Fish, Butter, Tallow, Hides, &c. are brought hither from all parts of Norway to be Imported into For∣•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉

The Governour of Berghen has under his Jurisdiction the Prefectures of Leehorn∣leen, Nordhornleen, Soghue, Sudfiord Nord, and Sundmerleen.

The Prefecture and Bishoprick of Trun∣thein is reckoned the fourth Government in Norway, and its City anciently called Ni∣drosia, was formerly the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom, & the Seat of the King & Archbishop of Norway. It was in former times a beautiful City, but being burnt down in the year 1522, and kept in such subjection and oppression by the Danes, it has been so far from being able to receive its primitive Splendor, that it seems more like a Village than a City. Yet something of the ancient Grandeur still appears in the Cathedral de∣dicated to St. Ilaus, which (though almost consumed by Fire) by the Ruins, shews it self to have been one of the most Magnifi∣cent and largest Fabricks in the World. In this Church the Huntsmen were wont to make a yearly Offering of the Skins of the largest and stoutest White Bears which they kill'd, for the Priests to tread upon at Divine Ser∣vice. Greenland and Iseland, were formerly Districts of the Diocess of Truntheim, but this Bishoprick is now confined within nar∣rower bounds: Most part of this Country having no Wood at all growing in it, make

use of Fish bones for Fuel, for Timber to build their Houses, and for several Imple∣ments of Houshold Stuff: And with the fat of those same fish they feed their Lamps in Winter.

The fifth and last Prefecture command∣ing this Countrey, is that of Wardhuyse, its Castle has its Name from the Island Warda wherein it stands, and is about Eight Eng∣lish Miles from the main Land of Finmark, and near Twelve in Compass; the Food of the Inhabitants of this and the Neighbou∣ring Island is only Stock-Fish, which they dry in the Frost. No manner of Bread nor Drink have they, but what is Imported from Forreign Countreys; some Cattle they have, yet none but such as can live on dry'd Fish their Masters Diet. The Gover∣nor retires in the Winter more Southerly within the Land, by reason of the extre∣mity of the Cold, and the long absence of the Sun for some Months together, the Town lying within the Artick Circle. It is much improved of late, since the re∣moval of the English Trading from Novo∣grod to St. Nicholas, not far from hence, and is both profitable and useful to the Crown of Denmark in regard of its strength, the Dutch and English being obliged to touch at it in their way to Moscovy.

On the North of Norway lies Finmark, or

as the Natives call it, Taakemark, which is not divided as all other Countries gene∣rally are, into distinct Lordships and In∣heritances, but every Man pretends a Right and Title to every part of the Land, and the strength of the Arm is the only Judge of Controversies. when the Fish∣ing Season comes in they throng to the Sea Coasts, and when that is over retire again into the Laplands. Fixt habitations they have none, but remove their Dwel∣lings according to the Seasons for Hunt∣ing; their Houses are made only to secure them against the Injury of the Weather, and the assaults of wild Beasts; and for that purpose they first erect Four Posts in the Figure of a Square, which they bind together with cross Girders, and rear to them smaller pieces, fastning all with Wythes; these except the door places, the poorer sort wholly cover with boughs of Trees or such like stuff, the richer with a course sort of Woollen Cloth, or an ordi∣nary sort of Canvas. Two doors have they in these Houses, the fore door, which is of common use and entrance for the whole Family, and the back door, thro which the Men pass, and that only when they go a Hunting, Fishing, &c. but all Women are forbid it, either because that Sex is thought to be very inauspicious to those Exercises,

for if any (when he is a going a Hunting or the like,) do but meet a Woman, he presently returns back and leaves his de∣sign for that day; or because the Image of their God Thor was commonly placed near their back door, from whose Sacrifices and Presence all Women are wholly exclu∣ded. These Houses are distinguished into several Partitions, not by any Wall, but only by great Posts or Loggs of Wood laid upon the Ground; their Fire place is in the middle, about which the whole Fa∣mily lies, either upon the bare Earth or upon the Skins of Rein Deer, Bears, &c. When they have a mind to change their Habitation, which they do constantly twice a Year, they unty this their Tent, take it away with them, and pitch it in a more convenient place. Another Sort of Houses among them, are their Granaries and Store Houses; which that they may the better secure their Provision from wild beasts and vermin, they do not build upon the Ground, but at some distance from it, upon the bole or stump of a large Tree.

The Ordinary Diet of the Laplanders, is either of Fish or the Flesh of their Rein Deer, &c. Which they eat sometimes raw, sometimes boil'd, but for the most part dried in the air. Bread and Salt are

unknown to them, instead of Bread they make use of their dry'd Fish, groun'd small like Meal: And for Salt they take the in∣ward of the Pine Trees, which they dry in the Sun, and putting it into Boxes bury it a small depth in the Ground, then after it hath lain there a competent time, they kindle a fire upon the place and so dry it; whereby it becomes of a redish co∣lour, a pleasant taste, and gives a good gust and relish to their courser Food.

Their general Drink is pure Water, which in the Winter time they keep in their Houses continually hot, and so drink it. Of late they are grown ac∣quainted with Brandy and Liquors of that nature, which are in great vogue with them, and which they drink only on their Holy Days and at their Weddings. Their Dining Room is commonly in the middle of their Tent about the Fire, with∣out Tables, Dishes, Spoons or Trenchers, and such sort of Implements; each lays his Commons upon his Mittens, and when he has eat it, says Grace, shakes his Camrades by the right Hand, which is their Charity Cup; and so every one trudges about his business.

Their Garments are very course and mean, made either of the Skins of Wild Beasts, (frequently in use amongst them)

or the worst of our English Cloth, which they wear only on Holy Days and at their Publick Fairs. They alter them accord∣ing to the Season of the Year; and each Sute for distinction sake, has a several Mode and Fashion: The Men use a Long Garment reaching down from their Mid∣dle to their Ankles, which serves them for Breeches and Stockings; above this they have a sort of Wollen Coat call'd Mudd, which they tye about them with a Leathern Thong. Their Shoes, as the the rest of their ordinary Garments, are made of the shins of rein Deer, Elks, &c. with the hair outward, the toe bending somewhat upward, and according to the ancient Custom, ending with a sharp point: On their Heads they have a Cap made of the Skin of some Fowl, as Geese, Ducks, or the like, but particularly make choice of the Loom for that purpose, and like the ancient Germans taking the Feathers, Head and Wings along vvith it. The Garb proper to Women is a large vvide Govvn, made either of Cloth or Skins, according to the Persons Condition and Estate: this Govvn is gathered close in the middle, and decked vvith several Figures of Birds, Beasts, and the like, vvhich they vvork very prettily and vvith great art.

As for their Religion, before the plant∣ing

of Christianity in that Countrey, which nevertheless has made but little progress among 'em, and would be entirely aban∣doned, were it not for the strictness of the Government; they had their Deities pub∣lick and common to the whole Nation, and others belonging onely to a Family, a Division, a Neighbourhood; their greater Gods were the Sun and Fire, their lesser was Wira Accha, represented by an old stump of a Tree: they also pay Adoration to the Ghosts of Men depart∣ed, especially of their Relations and Friends, whom they consider as Divinities; they worship also Spectres and Demons, which they fancy wander among the Rocks, Woods, Rivers and Lakes; they do the like to their Genius's good or bad, whom they say fly in the air about Christ∣mass.

Their Gods common to the whole Countrey be Thor or Thiermes, that is, Thunderer or Noise-maker, they honour him with endearing and lofty Titles, as, Great-Grand-Father and the like; they fancy his abode to be in the Clouds, and that he disposes of Wind, Rain, Thun∣der, good and bad Weather, as he thinks fitting: He it is they think gives Life or Death, Health or Sickness, Blessings or Sufferings: They make his Image of

Beech-Tree, easily turning the stoops which shoot out from the root into the likeness of a Mans Head, Arms, Feet, and the rest, laying by him a Bow, Arrows, and a Hammer to kill the mischievous Demons. They place their Images upon a Table in a piece of Ground dedicated to that Service, not far from their Habita∣tions, the Table serves them for an Al∣tar, and the Boughs of Birch and Pine for a Temple. They suffer not their Women to be present at the Sacrifices they offer to him, looking upon that as very Criminal. But they never offer Sacrifice till they have enquired of their God whether he will accept it or no: And this they do with a certain Instrument which they call Kannees, resembling much the old fashi∣oned Drums, on which they picture seve∣ral of their Gods: The whole manner of the Ceremony being as followeth, They pull off some of the hair at the bottom of the Beasts Neck which is to be sacrificed, and bind it to a Ring which is fastned to the Drum, then one of them beats the Drum, and all the rest sing these words, What sayest thou, O great and sacred god, doth thou accept this Sacrifice whic we de∣sign to offer unto thee? And while some Chant these Words, others repeat the Name of the Mountain where they are;

then if the Ring rests on that part of the Drum where the God is pictured, they take it for granted the God is pleased; and so proceed to the Ceremony; or else cary the Sacrifice to Storejunkar or some other God, using the like Form of words, Father god will you have my sacrifice? Their usual Sacrifices are Rein-Deers, Cats, Lambs and Hens. The usual time of their offering up their Sacrifices is in Autumn, because that Winter and Nights approach∣ing, they think they have the more need of their Gods assistance: Their way of Consecrating is in this manner, First they Sacrifice the Rein-Deer, then taking out his Bones they anoint the Idol with the Blood and Fat, and bury the Flesh and Bones under ground, but this they do not till the God has approved of the Sacrifice, after which they bind the Rein-Deer be∣hind the house, then with a sharp knife they run him thro the heart, and gather the heart blood, wherewith they anoint the I∣dol, into a Vessel. After that having placed the Images right, making a new one eve∣ry time they sacrifice, and setting them in order behind one another, the last al∣ways hindmost, they approach with reve∣rence to it, anoint the Head and Back all over with the blood, but on his Breast they only draw several crosses, behind him

they place the Skull, Feet and Horns of the sacrificed Deer; before him they place a Coffer made of the bark of Birch, into whic they put a bit of every Member of the Rein Deer, withsome of the Fat; and the rest of the Flesh they convert to their pri∣vate uses.

The next of their Principal Gods is Store∣junkar, that is, Great Commander, he they say presides peculiarly over all Beasts and Cattle; this Gods Name they reverence with the highest respect, and pay him fre∣quenter, if not greater Devotion than o∣ther Gods, for they suppose him to be their Thor or Thiermes Lieutenant, and worship him because that they think they receive all their Blessings thro his hands, and that all Beasts and Cattle are subject to his Will, and he governs them as Thiermes does Men and Spirits; wherefore he can give them to whom he will, and none can re∣ceive them without his pleasure: Thus, Thiermes and Storejunkar are the two pe∣culiar Gods of the Laplanders, the one hav∣ing the Dominion over the Men, the other over Beasts; one bestows life, the other all things necessary for the sustenance of it. When they offer Sacrifice to Storejunkar, which is likewise a Male Deer, they firstrun a Red Thred thro his Right Ear, and bind Him, and sacrifice Him in the place where

they did the like to Thor, preserving the blood also in a Vessel; then he who performs the Ceremony takes the Horns and the Bones of the Head and Neck, with the Feet and Hoofes, and caries them to the Moun∣tain of that Storejunkar, for whom the Sa∣crifice was designed: When he comes near the sacred stone he reverently uncovers his head and bowes his body, paying all the Ceremonies of Respect and Honour, then he anoints the Stone with the Fat and Blood, and places the Horns behind it; un∣to the right Horn they fasten the Rein-Deers Yard, and to the left some red Thred wrought upon Tin with a little piece of Silver.

The third and last of their Principal Gods is the Sun, whom they call Baiw, and worship him chiefly for his Light and Heat; also because they believe him to be the Author of Generation, and that all things are made by his means, especially their Rein-Deers, of whom and their Young, they think he hath a peculiar care to cherish by his Heat, and bring suddenly to Strength and Maturity. And being they live in a cold Country, where their heat is diminished and of∣ten wholly extinguish'd, being they have nothing to sustain themselves with but the flesh of Rein Deer; they think it very fit to pay the Sun very great Honours; who is the Author of so great Blessings to them, and who at his return restores them that Light which they lost by his departure, and that not for a day or two, but for several Weeks, which being paid, the new days seems

welcome to them, by reason of long absence. Now the Sacrifices they use to the Sun are young Rein Deers, and those not Bucks, but Does, the Rites being much the same with those before-mention∣ed, except only instead of a red String thro' the right Ear of Storejunkars Sacrifice, they run a white one thro the Suns; then they make a Garland, not of Birch but Willow, about as big as the Hoop of an Hogshead. This they place upon a Table be∣hind the Hut, where they Sacrifice to Thor; not upon the same Table, but one like it. And this Sa∣crifice differs from the Other, in that there are neither Images erected here, nor Horns, the Beasts not being come to their growth. But that there may be some rissemblance of the Sun, they place their chief Bones of the Sacrifice upon the Table in a Circle.

But the Laplanders are not more nototorious for their Idolatry than for their Witchcraft; anci∣ent and modern Writers asserting that they have attained to so great a skill in Enchantments and Magick, as that among several other strange Effects of their Art, they could stop Ships when under full Sail, nay and could either by their looks, words, or some other wicked Artifice, to ensnare and bewitch Men, as to deprive them of the use of Limbs and Reason, and very often bring them into extream peril of their lives. Now one of the main Reasons and Motives of their so doing, is, that every one thinks it the safest way to defend himself from the injurious and malicious designs of others; for they com∣monly profess that their knowledg in these things is absolutley necessary, for their own se∣curity. Wherefore they have Teachers, Pro∣fessors

in this Science; and Parents in their last Will bequeath to their Children as the greate part of their Estate, those Spirits and Devils that have been any ways serviceable to them in their life time. Now as to the bequeathing their Familiars to their Children, they consider it as the only means to raise their Family, so that they excel one another in this Art, according to the largeness of the Legacies they receive. By which it is apparent that every Family hath peculiar Spirits, and of different and quite contrary Na∣tures from those of others; and as each house, so has each single person his particular Spirits, sometimes one, two or more; but there are a set number of obsequious Spirits, beyond which none hath. Nevertheless some of these Spirits will not engage themselves without great Soli∣citation and earnest Entreaties, whereas others will readily offer themselves to little Children, when they find them capacitated for their turn, so that several of the Inhabitants are almost na∣turally Magicians; for when the Devil takes a liking to any person in his Infancy, as a fit In∣strument for his purposes, he presently seizes on him by a Disease, in which he haunts him with several Apparitions, from whence accord∣ing to the Capacity of his Years and Understand∣ing, he knows what belongs to the Art. Those who are thus taken a second time see more Vi∣sions, and gain far greater knowledge. If they are seized a third time, which is seldom with∣out great torment or utmost danger of their life, the Devil appears to them in all his shapes, by which they arrive to the very Perfection of his Art, and become so knowing, that without a

Drum they can see things at greatest Distances, and are so possessed by the Devil, that they see them even against their will. And a certain Swedish Author tells a strange Story of a Laplan∣der, who upon complaint made against him for keeping a Drum, brought it, and delivered it up to him, and with Tears confest, that tho he thus willingly parted with it, and never intended to provide another, yet he should still be tor∣mented with the same fearful and troublesome Visions about future Events, which (tho' his Eyes were shut) were always present to his im∣agination, giving him a true and particular Re∣lation of whatever had happened to him in his Journey to Lapland.

As for the Art it self, it is according to the di∣versity of Instruments used in it, divided into two parts, one comprehends all that to which the Drum belongs; the other, those things to which Knots, Darts, Spells, Conjurations, and the like refer: The Drum is peculiar to the Lap∣landers, and called by them Kannus or Quochdas, made of a hollow piece of Wood, and must be either of Pine, Fir, or Birch Tree, which grows to such a particular place, and turns directly according to the Suns Course; which is when the Grain of the Wood running from the bottom to the top of the Tree; winds it self from the right hand to the left. It is made hollow on one side, upon which they stretch a Skin, fasten∣ing it with wooden Pegs; on the other they make two holes to hold it by; the shape of the upper part is Oval, about half an Ell in Diameter; upon the Skin they paint several Pictures in red, stain'd with the Bark of an Alder∣tree; and through the middle they draw

some cross Lines in every Quarter, of which they place their Attendants; neither do they alwaies observe the same Gods, and the same Methods. But this is obser∣vable, that they commonly paint the Sun in the middle, their Gods above, and the earthly things under him. And since Chri∣stianity was introduced among them, many of them do place upon their Drum the Image of Christ, and his Apostles, owning him to be, or to have the power of one of their Gods. Moreover, they alter their figures according to the occasion of the inquiry, retaining the general Notions the Heathens had of their Deity, that several of them had peculiar Offices and Employ∣ments. But now, though in many places they have been forced to abandon their Drums, yet do they practice all their knots, have their familiars in the shape of Flies, Bees, &c. But chiefly their black Cats (whom they not only Consult at home about their Domestick affairs, but take with them also in their huntings; tho in the depths of Snow;) and their Diaboli∣cal Exercises, which are performed some∣times with, sometimes without a Drum: If with a Drum, the Sorcerer kreels down, and having a bunch of Rings, and other pieces of Brass laid in the middle of

the Drum, he beats with a Consecrated Hammer, so strongly, that the Rings dance upon it, by the resting of which upon such a figure, they draw forth an answer to what they would desire to know; but if this be not satisfactory, then the Drummer puts himself by dancing and howling into a vio∣lent motion, till he falls down, which he chuses to do upon his Drum; and then he lies without motion and disturbance, and without sense, till he voluntarily rise again, and gives answer to what is desired. This kind of Divination is chiefly used, when something at a great distance is desired to be known. The Stories are so frequent, and from persons not over credulous, that there is no room left to doubt of what they say concerning these Sorceries. A∣mongst other Instances thereof, this is rela∣ted by a Person of worth and understand∣ing; who being one time at Dinner with his Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, &c. his Fathers knife was missing upon the sudden, and could not be found, till two years after a Counsin of his returning from being Fa∣ctor in, or near Lapland, brought it with him, telling them, that out of curiosity he had employed a Laplander, a pretender to great skill in this Art, to bring him notice of the health and condition of that Family;

who after he had lain sometime in this now described manner, brought him news, that they were all well, that he found them at Dinner; and that to confirm his Rela∣tion, he brought away that knife, which he delivered to the Merchant, and the Mer∣chant brought home now to his Uncle.

As I said before, they sometimes pra∣ctice these Sorceries without the Drum, using instead of it commonly Strings or Darts, by which they advantage their friends, or injure their enemies at their pleasure. The strings they make use of to raise or quell the Winds, which they sell to Mariners for that purpose. They con∣sist commonly of three knots; the first of which being untied, affords a favourable Wind; the second a brisk Gale; and the third a violent Storm; as has been approved to the great peril & loss of several Seafaring persons, that have given account of it in pub∣lick. By their Darts, which are short Cylin∣ders of Lead; they wound any one who hath done them an injury, or their malice puts them upon to assault: These are said to be the most powerful Charms of any, & upon occasion to have split Rocks, level'd Moun∣tains, and such like incredible Exploits.

They have Matrimony in great venera∣tion, it being seldom known they commit

Adultery, but if such a crime be once dis∣covered, it is severely punished. Now, when ever any man purposes to marry, his first business is, to make inquiry after a Maid well stock'd with Rain-Deers; for the Lap∣landers have a Custom of bestowing upon their Children soon after their Birth, some certain number of those Rain Deers, and their Encrease is accounted of not as the Parents Estate, but the Child's Portion. Thus she, who has the greatest number of them, is in the fairest way to have a Hus∣band. Nor have they regard to any thing else, not minding either good Breed∣ing or Beauty, or other the common al∣lurements of Wooers. Now the Spark ha∣ving pitched upon a Mistress, informs one of his nearest friends of his Intentions, and desires him to be his Spokes-man: This Kinsman of his sollicits the business with her Father, Mother, and Kindred, present∣ing and cajoling them with Brandy and Tobacco, or what else is most in request in order to the purchasing their Consent. After this the Suitor has an Invitation to the Hut where the Bride dwells, where he agrees to certain Articles offered by her friends, and then lists himself for a whole year in her Fathers service; though first

presenting the Father with a Silver Cup, & Kettle of either Copper or Alchimy, and a Bed, or at least handsom Bedding. To the Mother he gives a Girdle of Silver, a Robe of Honour, and a Whisk, which they wear about their neck, and let it hang down to their breast, interlaced all about with Bosses of Silver. Besides, he bestows upon the Brothers and Sisters, and all the Kindred, Silver Spoons, Silver Bosses, and some other such knick knacks of Silver; for each of them must be presented with some gifts by the Bridegroom, if he mean to obtain his Bride. But the time of his years Service being expired, he takes to him his Wife, and proceeds to the Solem∣nizing the Marriage, which is ever per∣formed with great Pomp and Ceremony, according to their abilities. The Bride is spruc'd up with the Choicest Ornaments they can get, as pieces of Tin and Alchi∣my, with several Rings of Fish Bones and Brass; though a Bride of the Richer sort first looses her hair, and the Fillet where∣with she bound it up together before, she gives to the Virgin that is next akin to her: Afterwards on her bare head and loose hair she puts a kind of Silver Fillet, guilt over, or two, such as is the womens Custom to wear at other times, instead

of a Garland or Coronet, which is practised in Denmark, Sweden, and other Northern Countrys, so that by how much this Fillet is looser then to environ only her head; so much it hangs down the more behind. Like∣wise about the middle they put on a Silver Girdle, the Bridegroom too is as spruice as possible he can be, having the best cloaths on he can get at his own charges, and those girded with a Silver Girdle. Thus adorn'd is the Bride dragg'd to Church, or to the Priest, seeming to go with much reluctance, and there is married according to the usual Forms. In former times Matrimony was solemnized by the Parents and Friends (the Father supplying the place of the Priest, by striking of Flint and Steel, the pa••test Emblem, as they thought, of a mar∣ried life; for as the Flint conceals within it Fire, which by concussion breaks forth; so in both Sexes there is life hid, which by the mutual coupling of Marriage, is propa∣gated at last to be a living Off-spring. Poligamy is not allowed of among them, a man being suffered to have but one Wife at a time. Nor do they contract Wed∣lock without the consent of their friends, to whom they refer themselves wholly as to that matter. Thus a stoln Wedding is never heard of among them, neither

are they suffered to trade for themselves, until they have served as Bondsmen their Father-in-law for a certain time, which Custom does seem to be derived from the most Primitive Times and Nations.

Pestilential Distempers are very rarely known in this Country, the pureness of the Air still correcting the malignity of them, when they happen to be introdu∣ced. Plurisies, Inflammations, and Soreness of the Eyes, they are sometimes troubled with, which last they cure by drinking a Decoction of the Root of Moss, or the Stalk of Angelica, in the Whey of the Milk of their Rain-Deer. They cure wounds with no other Ointments or Plaister than that of Rosin, which the Trees sweat out: If a Member be benummed with cold, the the Cheese made of Rain-Deers Milk, af∣fords the presentest Remedy to it; they thrust a red hot Iron into it, and with the Fat of the Cheese that instantly disti•••• from it, they anoint the part affected, with incredible success; and when troubled with any Pains or Aches in their Joynts, or Body, as the Gout; Cramp, Sciatica, or the like, they ease and cure them by ap∣plying a Caustick of the flame of any Chips to the affected place. Diseases be∣ing thus rare among them, and the Reme∣dies

so easie, they live to an extream old Age: many being known to live to above a hundred years old, and most usually at∣tain to Seventy, Eighty, and Ninety years, & at this Age are still sufficiently brisk and lively, able to manage their business with expedition, to take a Journey, to Course through Woods and Mountains, and per∣form other such toil and labour, with great vigour; seldom do they grow grey, and that not till the very last declension of their Age; and it is found, that more of them are dispatched by old Age, than Dis∣eases.

But when they perceive any one near Death, they send either for the Priest, if near at hand, to prepare him for his Dis∣solution, or else for a Magician, who is said to be able to resolve them by his Drums, of the very hour and manner of any mans Death. In case he dies, they fancy his Soul is restless till his Body be buried, which for that reason they do with all possible hast, commonly carrying him to the nearest Wood or Cave which they pitch upon for a burying-place, sel∣dom interring them in Church-yards, by reason of their remoteness. The dead Corps they carry upon a Sledge, the person who conducts being particularly intreated

to undertake the Employment, and must receive of the nearest kinsman of the De∣ceased Person a Ring of Alchimy, and wear it fastened to his Right Arm; the reason of which is, because they believe it a pre∣servative against the mischief the Manes of the Deceased Person may bring upon them and therefore is fain to wear this same Ring till the Burial be over. When they come with the Body to the Cave, they cast it in, and the Sledge after it, or else cover it with great Logs of Wood, to de∣fend it from wild Beasts, never failing to lay by it a Hatchet, a Flint and Steel, that if ever they come to rise again in the dark∣ness, they shall have great need of spring¦ing a light; to which the Flint & Steel may help them; as likewise there will be occa∣sion for a ready way wherein they may travel to Heaven, to which purpose their Hatchet may stand them instead, them especially that are buried in thick Woods, that if any Trees obstruct their passage, they may cut them down. When they come home from the burial, they make ready a Funeral-banquet, or rather indeed a Sacrifice to the Ghost of the Deceased Person, which they perform, by taking those Rain-Deer, who drew the Corps to the Grave, and offer them in Sacrifice to

the Manes, revelling upon the flesh with Brandy and Tobacco, and quaffing round a Health to the Deceased Person, calling the Brandy which they use for that pur∣pose the Wine of the Blessed, meaning that they drink it to the memory of him, that is happy by his departure from Earth. At this Feast they take special care not to lose the Bones of the sacrificed Rain-Deer, but gather them all up diligently, and lay them in a Coffer, and bury them under ground; but first fasten upon the Coffer wherein they shut up the Rain-Deers Bones, the Image of a Man fashioned out of Wood, bigger or less in proportion to the Deceased Person.

But the Scepter of Denmark extending over but a small part of Lapland, it is not necessary to inlarge upon the other To∣picks, which the Description of that Coun∣try does afford; wherefore we will leave it, and steer our Course towards.