emes, and say that Bergen is one of
the most charmingly picturesque towns in all the North. Its name, "The
Mountain," denotes one of its most striking features. It is built upon
two low capes, which project from the foot of a low mountain, two
thousand feet high, while directly in its rear lies a lovely little
lake, about three miles in circumference. On the end of the northern
headland stands the fortress of Berghenhuus, with the tall square mass
of Walkendorf's Tower, built upon the foundations of the former palace
of King Olaf Kyrre, the founder of the city. The narrow harbour between
is crowded with fishing-vessels,--during the season often numbering from
six to eight hundred,--and beyond it the southern promontory, quite
covered with houses, rises steeply from the water. A public grove,
behind the fortress, delights the eye with its dark-green mounds of
foliage; near it rise the twin towers of the German Church, which boasts
an age of nearly seven hundred years, and the suburbs on the steep
mountain-sides gradually vanish among gardens and country-villas, which
are succeeded by farms and grazing fields, lying under the topmost
ridges of the bare rock. The lake in the rear is surrounded with the
country residences of the rich merchants--a succession of tasteful
dwellings, each with its garden and leafy arbours, its flowers and
fountains, forming a rich frame to the beautiful sheet of water. Avenues
of fine old lindens thread this suburban paradise, and seats, placed at
the proper points, command views of which one knows not the loveliest.
Everything has an air of ancient comfort, taste, and repose. One sees
yet, the footsteps of mighty Hansa, who for three centuries reigned here
supreme. The northern half of Bergen is still called the "German
Quarter," and there are very few citizens of education who do not speak
the language.

With one or two exceptions, the streets are rough and narrow. There are
no quaint peculiarities in the architecture, the houses being all of
wood, painted white or some light colour. At every door stands a barrel
filled with water, to be ready in case of fire. Owing to the great
number of fishing-vessels and its considerable foreign trade, Bergen is
a much more lively and bustling place than either Christiania or
Drontheim. The streets are well populated, and the great square at the
head of the harbour is always thronged with a motley concourse of
fishermen, traders, and country people. Drunk