E are drawing near to the end of our tether, and much as we love home, there is not the same buoyancy about the return, however happy or successful the trip may have been, as there is about the start; for the latter is an important event, teeming with hope and expectancy, from the couleur-de-rose descriptions of friends who have preceded us, and who have heartily enjoyed the recapitulation of their adventures, narrow escapes, and temporary deprivations. But it is very different with the end of a journey. There is something of the Ichabod in it; and yet we know not why there should be; for if it has been one of danger, we ought to be thankful that it is over; and if, on the contrary, it has been productive of pleasant associations, we should still be thankful, inasmuch as it will prove a bright spot to fall back upon and refresh ourselves with when wearied in after-life. So we will not be depressed at the end of our trip to Gamle Norge; we would rather think of all the kindnesses of the people, the grand scenery of the coast, the combinations of sea-rock façade and snow, and learn a lesson of contentment and Christian love from the bönder and their happy families.
Having overcome this very natural feeling of regret that our holiday is over, let us, in conclusion, notice a few leading characteristics of the country which have been unnoted as we passed through it. Its geology is most characteristic, while in variety of climate it stands alone. Its wood-carving, too, has great individuality; and so has its old silver.[6]
[6]The New Currency of Norway.—This change from the old specie dollar and skillings came into force on January 1st, 1877, when specie dollars, marks or orts, and skillings became matters of history. The new régime is as follows:—
KRONE AND ØRE.
Silver. 1 krone = 30 skillings of old Norwegian money = 1s. 1¼d.
1 krone is divided into 100 øre.
Silver coins are 1 kroner. Copper coins are 1 øre, 2 øre, 5 øre.
½ krone = 50 øre.
¼ krone = 25 øre.
10 krone = 1000 øre.
Gold Coins (scarce; gold coins having been introduced only in 1875).
10 kroner pieces and 20 krone.
Notes. 5 kr., 10 kr., 25 kr., 50 kr., 100 kr., 500 kr., 1000 kr.
18 kroner = one sovereign English.
Let us, then, take a general view of the geological formation. Any one specially interested in this subject should study the “Geologisk oversigtskart over det Sydlige Norge,” 1858 to 1865, by Theodore Kjerulf og Tellef Dahll; but for others a general idea will suffice.