ings, strong nervous convulsions, and occasional attacks of that
state of semi-consciousness called trance, the subjects of which were
looked upon as having been possessed by the Spirit, and transported to
the other world, where visions like those of John on Patmos, were
revealed to them. The missionaries, instead of repressing this unhealthy
delusion, rather encouraged it, and even went so far as to publish as
supernatural revelations, the senseless ravings of these poor deluded
people. The epidemic spread until there was scarcely a family some
member of which was not affected by it, and even yet it has not wholly
subsided. The fit would come upon the infected persons at any time, no
matter where they were, or how employed. It usually commenced with a
convulsive catching of the breath, which increased in violence,
accompanied by sobbing, and sometimes by cries or groans, until the
victim was either exhausted or fell into a trance, which lasted some
hours. The persons who were affected were always treated with the
greatest respect during the attack no one ventured to smile, no matter
how absurd a form the visitation might take. The principle of abstinence
from strong drinks was promulgated about the same time, and much of the
temperance of the Finns and Lapps is undoubtedly owing the impression
made upon their natures by these phenomena.

The same epidemic has often prevailed in the United States, England and
Germany. The barking and dancing mania which visited Kentucky thirty or
forty years ago, and the performances of the "Holy Rollers," were even
more ludicrous and unnatural. Such appearances are a puzzle alike to the
physiologist and the philosopher; their frequency shows that they are
based on some weak spot in human nature; and in proportion as we pity
the victims we have a right to condemn those who sow the seeds of the
pestilence. True religion is never spasmodic; it is calm as the
existence of God. I know of nothing more shocking than such attempts to
substitute rockets and blue lights for Heaven's eternal sunshine.

So far as regards their moral character, the Finns have as little cause
for reproach as any other people. We found them as universally honest
and honourable in their dealings as the Northern Swedes, who are not
surpassed in the world in this respect. Yet their countenances express
more cunning and reserve, and the virtue may be partly a negative one,
resulting from that indolence which characterise