These men voluntarily enlist, but it is only for a
limited period (six years), at the expiration of which they have the
liberty of retiring. The pay is only twopence a day and bread;
still, considering the cheapness of the country, it is more than
sixpence in England.
The distribution of landed property into small farms produces a
degree of equality which I have seldom seen elsewhere; and the rich
being all merchants, who are obliged to divide their personal
fortune amongst their children, the boys always receiving twice as
much as the girls, property has met a chance of accumulating till
overgrowing wealth destroys the balance of liberty.
You will be surprised to hear me talk of liberty; yet the Norwegians
appear to me to be the most free community I have ever observed.
The mayor of each town or district, and the judges in the country,
exercise an authority almost patriarchal. They can do much good,
but little harm, - as every individual can appeal from their
judgment; and as they may always be forced to give a reason for
their conduct, it is generally regulated by prudence. "They have
not time to learn to be tyrants," said a gentleman to me, with whom
I discussed the subject.
