To-morrow we will talk of
Tonsberg.
LETTER VII.
Though the king of Denmark be an absolute monarch, yet the
Norwegians appear to enjoy all the blessings of freedom. Norway may
be termed a sister kingdom; but the people have no viceroy to lord
it over them, and fatten his dependants with the fruit of their
labour.
There are only two counts in the whole country who have estates, and
exact some feudal observances from their tenantry. All the rest of
the country is divided into small farms, which belong to the
cultivator. It is true some few, appertaining to the Church, are
let, but always on a lease for life, generally renewed in favour of
the eldest son, who has this advantage as well as a right to a
double portion of the property. But the value of the farm is
estimated, and after his portion is assigned to him he must be
answerable for the residue to the remaining part of the family.
Every farmer for ten years is obliged to attend annually about
twelve days to learn the military exercise, but it is always at a
small distance from his dwelling, and does not lead him into any new
habits of life.
There are about six thousand regulars also in garrison at
Christiania and Fredericshall, who are equally reserved, with the
militia, for the defence of their own country.
