first year than the
second. The principle, on the whole, is about the same as governs
English, and most American society, only in Sweden its tyranny is more
severely felt, on account of the French imitations which have been
engrafted upon it.

I do not wish to be understood as saying a word in censure of that
genial courtesy which is characteristic of the Swedes, not less of the
_bonder_, or country farmers, than of the nobility. They are by nature a
courteous people, and if, throughout the country, something of the
primness and formality of ancient manners has been preserved, it the
rather serves to give a quaint and picturesque grace to society. The
affectation of French manners applies principally to the capital,
which, both in manners and morals, can by no means be taken as a
standard for the whole country. The Swedes are neither licentious, nor
extravagantly over-mannered: the Stockholmers are both. During the whole
of our journey to Lapland, we were invariably treated with a courtesy
which bordered on kindness, and had abundant opportunities of noticing
the general amenity which exists in the intercourse even of the poorest
classes. The only really rude people we saw, were travelling traders,
especially those from the capital, who thought to add to their
importance by a little swaggering.

I recollect hearing of but a single instance in which the usual
world-wide rules of hospitality were grossly violated. This occurred to
an English traveller, who spent some time in the interior of the
country. While taking tea one evening with a prominent family of the
province, he happened to make use of his thumb and fore-finger in
helping himself to a lump of sugar. The mistress of the house
immediately sent out the servant, who reappeared after a short time with
another sugar-bowl, filled with fresh lumps. Noticing this, the
traveller, in order to ascertain whether his harmless deviation from
Swedish customs had really contaminated the whole sugar-bowl, sweetened
his second cup in the same manner. The result was precisely the same:
the servant was again sent out, and again returned with a fresh supply.
The traveller, thereupon, coolly walked to the stove, opened the door,
and threw in his cup, saucer, and tea-spoon, affecting to take it for
granted that they never could be used again.

Speaking of King Oscar reminds me that I should not fail to say a word
about this liberal and enlightened monarch. There is probably no ki