STOCKHOLM, the metropolis of Sweden, is situated on the northern and southern shore of the lake Maclar, and embraces likewise. a number of islands lying between them. The greatest part of the town stands on the continent, the part which occupies the southern shore being called Sodermalm, and that on the northern Nordermalm, these being called the suburbs of Stockholm. The city, properly so called, occupies the largest island. It is the busiest part of the town, being in reality a sea-port, having hand some quays, bordered by stately ranges of buildings, where the principal merchants reside. The houses are, however high, the streets narrow, and the gene ral aspect of it gloomy; but it contains what was called the new palace, the great church, or that of St. Nicholas, the bank, the corn-market, the spacious custom-house, and a great number of other elegant buildings. The palace occupies a great part of this island, and towering above all the other buildings of the city, it is visible on all sides, and commands a view of every part of Stockholm. The city is con nected by means of a fine granite bridge with the Nordermalm or Norr-malm. This bridge leads at once into the great square, the stately magnificence of which, according to Dr. Clarke, is very imposing, and affords a concentration of almost every thing worth seeing in Stockholm. One entire side of it is adorned with the royal palace, another is occu pied with the opera-house, containing the inscription Musis Sueeicis Gustavus III. and in which that monarch was assassinated. Opposite to the opera house is the palace of the princess royal, and in the centre of this area, opposite to the granite bridge, is a gigantic equestrian statue of Gustavus Adolphus in armour, facing the royal residence, and having an air of great grandeur. It is of gilt bronze, and stands on a pedestal of finely polished porphyry. The principal street here is Queen's Street, stretching in a straight line for more than a mile from the observatory to the side of the lake. The streets are here at right angles to each other, but several of them are narrow. From the great square a street conducts to a quay, near which stands the Stepholm church. Between the square, the quay, and that
of the city, is the port of Stockholm, where all the vessels lie.
The Nordermalm contains likewise the ancient arsenal, now a theatre, the royal gardens, the sur veyor's office, the great orphan-house, the free-mason's orphan house, the workhouse on the Sabbath Moun tain, the church of St. Clare, the steeple of which commands a fine view, and which has a fine altar piece, the churches of St. James and Adolphus Frederic, the observatory, the exhibition of models, the institution for widows, the lying-in hospital, and Drooling-house.
The city is connected by a bridge with the Rit terholm towards the west. The Ritterholm contains a spacious square, near which is the church of Rib terholm, a good looking building, and the burial place of the royal family. here also stands the senate house, and the town house, the last of which contains two halls, one for the citizens, and the other for the peasants at the diets. The old palace, with the regalia, and the chamber of models, and the academy of arts, are also situated in this island. Between the city, the Nordermalm and the Rit terholm is the island of the Holy Ghost, which contains the king's stables, an extensive and splendid building. In the city and the Ritterholm, are the great Swedish school, a synagogue, a German, a Finlandish, and a French academy of sciences, with its library and other collections, the mint, and the college of mines, with its fine cabinet of natural history.
The other islands are Admiralty-holm, consisting of naked romantic rocks, and containing the naval arsenal;—Castleholm, containing little more than a small palace on a naked rock;—Beckholm, Langholm, and Rackningsholm, all three of little importance; and Congsholm, part of which is built upon, and the rest occupied with gardens and desert rocks, and containing a church, the glass house, and the royal hospital;—Lacigards-land, containing the Hummel Garden; also Frederickshof, with the arsenal, and a collection of artificial curiosities, the artillery house, the laboratory and the docks; Little Ilessinger and Beckholm.