"Where Tyre's sons of old did work the mine,
Deep in the earth where lurid coppers shine,
Like Mantua's poet there did Henric go,
And find a hero in the shades below."

THE next morning the air was clear and serene. Some branches of the large firs and birches lay scattered on the ground; but otherwise nothing betokened the previous gale except the distant roar of the gulf, whose waves were seen still whi

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tened with breakers. The verdure was fresh with moisture, and the numerous mosses and lichens which carpet those sylvan glades shone with every varied hue as the slanting sunbeams shot through the dark foliage into their green recesses. The day was devoted by Jan to skinning the bear, for his wound did not incapacitate him for that exertion. The minister took advantage of his visit to examine the boys in their catechism and those subjects on which he had taught them when he was a more frequent visitor, for he had within the last year been settled at a parish in Dalecarlia. found their memories good; and after commending their attention, he went to botanise in the forest, accompanied by the farmer, whilst the boys angled for trout in the adjacent brook, and the little girls assisted Ulrica in her household avocations. On the day following the farmer harnessed his carriole, and taking with him the two boys, departed for Geflè. The minister and Jan Swin proceeded on foot. After a short time they got into the regular road, and soon after passed the magnificent falls of Elfcarleby, where the deep green river winding smooth and clear, but swift and strong, through umbrageous woods, rolls in a sheet of creamy foam down a rock of dark granite, and from thence pursues its turbulent course towards the Gulf of Bothnia. The silvery salmon were seen rising amid the spray, each curved like a bow

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and quivering for an instant in their convulsive efforts to ascend the fall, disappearing like spectres amidst the wild mist of waters: but our travellers had no time to stop; and after a few miles the road began to be thronged with parties on foot, on horseback, or, like themselves, in carts, hastening to the general rendezvous. When they arrived at the town, which consisted of two or three rows of wooden houses constructed of firs, with the crevices filled with moss, and some of them rudely painted with red, a company of four or five hundred people might be seen, varying in dress according to the province from whence they came. There were the dark-grey coats and caps, the striped gowns and white sleeves of the Dalecarlians; the ruder dress of the more northern provinces; the tall and fair Norwegian from Gulbrandsdahl with his creamcoloured horses; the dwarfish Lapp with his furs ; the grotesque fisherman from Aland; but the gayer inhabitant of Stockholm was wanting,-recent events had kept him in the capital, and the Norwegian looked in vain for a purchaser for his sledge-horses, and the Lapp for his skins. The fair was in fact a failure, and the farmers might be seen in knots, as in our own day, grumbling over the evil times, and prophesying ruin to themselves and the country at large. The scene, however, was far too novel for our youths not to be highly appreciated, and they could hardly sufficiently extol

the grandeur of the houses, and the quantities of cattle and merchandise, which seemed to their boyish imagination sufficient to supply all Sweden.

Whilst they were refreshing themselves at an eating-stall, a stout, elderly, and somewhat consequential personage came up, and, addressing Farmer Stiern by name, inquired whether he could not provide him with a decent youth to be instructed in the art of weighing and testing metals in the copper mines belonging to the Baron Andrè Rankhyttan. "He must be a boy of some talent and promise, for the baron is particular, and always wishes the young men to rise in their vocation, And if the assistant does his duty, he succeeds to the secretaryship, which, as thou knowest, is a place of trust and importance. Who may these lads be, friend Stiern? methinks such an one as this eldest would suit me well.-Would you like to serve under the noble baron, young man? Be not alarmed, but answer."

Henric coloured and hesitated, for he had never thought of such an event as leaving his grandmother, and it was a few seconds before he could recollect himself so as to reply :—

"I dare say, sir, I should like it when I was used to it; but I had rather not leave home unless my grandmother could do without me.”

Good, good," said the steward; "thou answerest well for a lad unacquainted with the de

lights which lie before thee; but my worthy friend Stiern will inform me how far thou hast advanced in thy knowledge."

The farmer, well knowing the advantage of such an eligible situation, readily replied that the youths, who were orphans, had been well instructed by the pastor of Mörer, who was a graduate of the University of Upsala.

"Good again," said the steward. "I know the reverend gentleman; Olaf is his name. Yes, a learned clerk, somewhat novel in his opinions, but in these times I quarrel not with such novelties, seeing they savour more of Swedish independence than of Danish-ahem! thou understandest me, friend. But we talk not politics, we talk not politics, they breed the vapours; so, to be brief, if thou art empowered to make the bargain, I will engage this Henric."

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if I

"I will answer for his grandmother," said the farmer; she is a true Swedish woman, and would never wish her grandson better placed than under a Swedish noble. Nay, she told me, could meet with a good offer, I might engage him. I suppose the baron will let him come and see us sometimes ?"

"My

Once every year," said the steward. master says it is but due to the feelings of humanity. And what says the smaller boy? Of a surety he crieth! is the lad crazed ?"