The inhabitants of Norway are altogether an uain teresting race, but are found in such various degrees of refinement and civilization as to present the appearance of an assemblage of different nations, rather than of one people. They are usually tall and robust, though ra ther slender ; their countenances flat. and complexion fair, thong.]: less so than the Danes ; their eyes full of spirit, and their whole physiognomy expressive of ener gy. Those of the mountainous clicstricts are remark ably healthy and vigorous in their general appearance, capable of enduring the greatest fatigues, and encoun tering the severest inclemencies of the weather. Those who reside on the coasts are of a smaller size, but are the most hardy and adventurous mariners in thc world ; and, even in the month of January, when they can reck on upon the light of the moon, cmnpanies of men and women pass whole days and nights upon lie sea in open boats, in the occupation of fishing. In Lofodden there has been observed a peculiarity ol features among the fishermen, prominent bones and noses, black dazzling eyes, sharp and determinate features, and sometimes true Tin kish physiognotnit s, so as to countenance the conjectme that the PLcenicians had visited and partly colonized these coasts. be women of Norway are much handsomer than those of Sweden ; but the men are less athletic than the northern Swedes.
The manners and dress °I the people upon the coasts, and in niost of the contmeicial cities, are greatly altered by the introduction of foreign usages, and it is only in the more remote districts that the national character is still retained. This pi imitive stamp of mind and style of lile is beheld in a great variety of stages, according to the vicinity of the, people to the towns, :and their op portunities of intercourse with one another. " The Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians; assuredly do not dif fey more flow one another than the inhabitants of va tious valleys, who asstmble Irom all parts to the annu al fair. This is one of the most interesting spectacles for every stranger who visits Norway, and for every peison who wishes to examine human nature, and to trace by what 'antes and associations man gradually ad vances in the progress of cultivation.
"The strong and tobust inhabitant of Guldbrands dalen, in his long coat ot the l7th century, and with his little red cap on his head, walks by the sidc of the com paratively elegant boor of Walders, who, in features and dress, is as unlike him as if he came from beyond the sea. The rich proprietors from fledemarken pass along il they were of the inferior order ol town's people ; and their coats of home-made cloth are cut in an anti quated fashion, as is usua.I countty places. From Oesteldalen, on the Swedish boundaries, appears a higher class of men ; but we may easily see, from their carriage, that it is borrowed from their neighbours. On
the other hand, we see the rough and almost stupid na tive hf liallingdalen in a true national uniform ; and the stuidy men of Oevre-Tellemarken still more rough and stupid. They alone yet continue to wear the broad northern girdle round the waist, which the native of Tellemarken etnbroielers and ornaments in quite a dif ferent manner from the other ; and in this girdle they fix a large knife, like the Italians, which was formerly as often used by them for attack and warfare as for con veniency. They wear a short jacket, with a sort of epaulette on it; and a small cap on the head ; thin short leathcin free ches contain in the ,sidc pockets all the wants of the moment, and almost always the important small iron tobacco-pipe Every step and movement of these rnen is characteristic and definite They have only one object in view, and nothing which surrounds them can deaden the eagerness with which they pur sue that object. The boor ol Foulloug and Moss is far from having this distinct character. Nearer to the town his business is also more various, and he looks around him with attention and caution, to discover any little advantages Nl hich may bring him easier and more securi ly to his end ; and he no longer lives insulated in his valley relying on his OW11 individual physical strength ; but has become, through common interest and connexions, a part of a nation " The ancient dress, as observable in some of the more remote valleys, resembles the regimental uniform in the days of Eugene and Alarlborough ; and the cloth of which the men's coats are made is principally of a stone colour, with red button-holes and white metal buttons. The women of the lower order wear a jacket, with a shining black apron over their petticoat, and a turban handkerchief above the head, beneath which appears a clean laced mob tied under the chin ; but while employed in their household affairs, they fre quently wear nothing more than a petticoat and a shift, with a collar reaching to the throat, and a black sash tied round the waist. They pique themselves upon having fine linens ; and being usually well made, their shapcs appear to advantage in this dress. In the mari time districts of Nordland, where the inhabitants are much employed as fishers, they are dressed so much alike that they appear as if in uniform. The men wear earth-brown frocks, close on every side, except at the breast, in the opening of which small blue trimmings run down on both sides ; large white trowscrs above their boots ; a red woollen cap on their heads, with a felt hat above it. In the south of Norway, a scarlet bonnet and white jacket is the usual dress of the pea sants ; and the gentlemen are clothed in every respect as in England.