since the death of her parents she has resided alternately in Stockholm, and with a female friend in the South of Sweden. She has consequently seen much of the society and scenery of her native land, and no one can sketch these with more graphic truth great poet Tegnér, no productions have created such a sensation in Sweden; and abroad they have flown far and wide; have been read with avidity in various parts of the Continent, and in Germany alone three editions have appeared in rapid succession. Or the rich treasure of intellect and literature in Sweden, little or nothing is known in England. To give a specimen of what cxists there, even in the department of living story and scenes of society, I have selected this work of Frederika Bremer, which is one of a series of four: "The and vivacity. Since the writings of their Neighbours," "The House," "The President's Daughters," and "Nina.” "The Neighbours" has not been first chosen on the principle of presenting the best first, in order to excite expectation, but as believing it a fair and average example. Some of the others possess, unquestionably, a stronger interest in the narrative, and, perhaps, more masterly exposition of character. They are, in my opinion, most admirable in their lessons of social wisdom; in their life of relation; in their playful humour; and in all those qualities which can make writing acceptable to the fireside circle of the good and refined. Frederika Bre-me and done my heart good. mer is, indeed, the Miss AUSTEN of Sweden. Her father was an eminent merchant, and I take this opportunity to announce, that if my own countrymen, and especially countrywomen, give this work an equal welcome, the others are ready for publication, and will be issued as speedily as may be required. In any case, I shall be grateful to the author for the perusal of them, for they have certainly both highly amused Heidelberg, September, 1842. M. H NOLUNTHSVMA H. HINGTO THE NEIGHBOURGHTS CHAPTER I. FRANZISKA WERNER TO MARIA B. Rosenvik, 1st June, 18-. HERE I am now, my dear Maria, under my own roof, at my own writing-table, and sitting by my own Bear. And who is Bear? you ask; who should it be but my own husband, whom I call Bear, because the name suits him so well? Here, then, I am, sitting by the window; the sun is setting; two swans swim in the lake, and make furrows in its clear mirror; three cowsmy cows-stand on the green shore quite sleek and reflective, thinking certainly upon nothing. How handsome they are! Now comes the maid with her milk-pail; how rich and good is couniry milk! But what, in fact, is not good in the Country? Air and rain, food and feeling, heaven and earth, all is fresh and animated. BRAR own ideas, and, as I glanced at hi..., 1 saw that it was no time for opposition. It was Sunday, and, as the carriage drew up, I heard the sound of a violin. "Aha!" said Lars Anders, for such is my husband's Christian name, "so much the better!" he leaped heavily from the carriage, and helped me out also. There was no time to think about boxes or packages; he took my hand and led ine up the steps, along the entrance hall, and drew me towards the door, whence proceeded the sounds of music and dancing. "Only see," thought 1, "how is it possible for me to dance in this costume ?" Oh, if I could only have gone in somewhere, just to wipe the dust from my face and my bonnet, where, at the very least, I could just have seen myself in a looking-glass! But impossible! Bear led me by the arm, insisting that I looked most charmingly, and beseeching me to make a looking-glass of his eyes. I was obliged to be so very uncourteous as to reply that they were quite too small for that purpose; on which account, he declared they were only the brighter, and then opened the door of the ballroom. Now," exclaimed I, in a kind of lively despair, "if you take me to a ball, you Bear, I'll make you dance with me." But now I must conduct you into my dwelling -no, I will begin yet farther off. There, on that hill, in Smaland, several miles off, whence I first looked into the valley where Rosenvik lies, behold a dust-covered carriage, within which sits the Bear and his little wife. That little wife looks forth with curiosity, for before her lies a valley beautiful in the light of evening. Green woods stretch out below, and surround crystal lakes; corn-fields in silken waves encircle gray mount- "With a world of pleasure!" cried he; and in ains, and white buildings gleam out with friend- the same moment we two stood in the hall, when ly aspects among the trees. Here and there, from my terror was considerably abated by finding that the wood-covered heights, pillars of smoke ascend the great room contained merely a number of to the clear evening heaven; they might have cleanly-dressed servants, men and women, who been mistaken for volcanoes, but they were only leaped about lustily with one another, and who peaceful svedjen.* Truly it was beautiful, and I were so occupied with their dancing as scarcely was charmed; I bent myself forward, and was to perceive us. Lars Anders led me to the upthinking on a certain happy, natural family in per end of the roon, where I saw, sitting upon a Paradise, one Adam and Eve, when suddenly the high seat, a very tall and strong-built gentlewomBear laid his great paws upon me, and held me an, who was playing with remarkable fervour so tight, that I was nearly giving up the ghost, upon a violin, and beating time to her music with while he kissed me, and besought me to find pleas-great power. Upon her head was a tall and extraure in what was here. I was the least in the world angry, but, as I knew the heart-impulse of this embrace, I made myself tolerably contented. Here, then, in this valley lay my stationary home, here lived my new family, here lay Rosenvik, here should I and my husband live together. We descended the hill, and the carriage rolled rapidly along the level road, while, as we advanced, he told whose property was this and whose was that, whether near or remote. All was to me like a dream, out of which I was suddenly awoke by his saying, with a peculiar accent, "Here lives Ma chère mère ;" and at the same moment the carriage drove into a courtyard, and drew up at the door of a large, handsome stone house. "What, must we alight here?" I asked. Yes, my love," was his reply. This was to me by no means an agreeable surprise; I would much rather have gone on to my own house; much rather have made some preparation for this first meeting with my husband's mother, of whom I stood in great awe, from ne anecdotes I had heard of her, and the respect which her stepson had for her. This visit seemed to me quite mal-a-propos; but my husband had his * Svedjen, svedjor, svedja, the burning of turf in the fields, which, in many parts of Sweden, is used for dressing the land. ordinary cap, which I may as well call a helmet, because this idea came into my head at the first glance, and, after all, can find no better name for it. This was the Generalin (wife of the General) Mansfield, stepmother of my husband, Ma chère mere, of whom I had heard so much. I She turned instantly her large dark brown eyes upon us, ceased playing, laid down her violin, and arose with a proud bearing, but with, at the same time, a happy and open countenance. trembled a little, made a deep courtesy, and kissed her hand; in return, she kissed my forehead, and, for a moment, looked on me so keenly as compelled me to cast down my eyes; whereupon she kissed me most cordially on mouth and forehead, and embraced me as warmly as her stepson. And now came his turn; he kissed her hand inost reverentially, but she presented her cheek; they regarded each other with the most friendly expression of countenance, she saying, in a loud, inanly voice, the moment afterward, "You are welcome, my dear friends; it is very handsome of you to come here to me before you have been to your own house; I thank you for it. I might, it is true, have received you better, if I could have made preparations; but, at all events, this I know, that a welcome is the best dish.' I hope, my friends, that you will remain over the evening with me." AP00 |