PRINTED BY COX (BROS.) AND WYMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The families of Lejonhöved and Svinhöved were conspicuous in the wars of Gustavus Vasa, at which time Sweden threw off the yoke which Denmark, with the concurrence of Norway, had fixed on them, by taking undue advantage of the conditions stipulated in the Union of Calmar. The head of the former family perished in the treacherous massacre at Stockholm, generally spoken of by the name of the “Bloodbath.” Both families derive their names from their armorial bearings, as at that time there were no surnames in Sweden. These signify Lion-head and Boar-head, or Pig-head, respectively. Hence the Parson’s sarcasm.
[2] Långref—a poaching method of catching fish.
[3] Tjäder—the capercailzie. Taking him in his lek—that is to say, during his play, a very singular method which both the tjäder and the black-cock has of calling together the females of their respective species, is strictly contrary to law.
[4] Fjeld Ripa—The mountain grouse; a bird something like our ptarmigan, the pursuit of which is always attended with toil, and sometimes danger.
[5] According to ancient Scandinavian mythology, the earth, which is flat and surrounded by water, is continually guarded by Jörmungard the Sea Serpent, the daughter of Loki; who is so large that she encircles the whole earth, holding her tail in her mouth. She is sometimes called the Midgard Serpent;—Midgard meaning middle guard half way between the earth and the realms of the Hrimthursar, or Frost Giants, which is her post.
[6] The god Kvasir, or Unerring Wisdom, was the joint offspring of all the gods, and was created to aid their negociations with the Vanir. His blood, sweetened by mead, forms the drink of Poetic Inspiration, which was guarded by Gunlauth, the daughter of Thjassi, the chief of the Frost Giants. Odin, who was her lover, prevailed on her to give it up to him, and it is at present lodged in the heights of Asgard. That Poetic Inspiration should be wisdom, sweetened by honey and guarded by love, is in itself a beautiful allegory—and not less beautiful that it should be won by the gods and lodged in Heaven;—but the generation of Kvasir involves a most curious anomaly, and that is, that the gods should be able to create a being more intelligent than themselves,—unless, indeed, we interpret the allegory as implying that mutual council is more unerring than the unaided intelligence of any individual.
[7] The Indelta has very erroneously been stated, by one or two travellers in Sweden, to be the militia of the country. Sweden has a militia, and a very efficient force it is; but the Indelta is a feudal army raised and maintained by the holders of crown lands. The constitution of this force will be explained more fully hereafter; it is exclusively a Swedish institution, and does not exist in Norway.
[8] “Come over the river.”