the engines continued for fome time to .play, and the water they
difcharged was frozen alrnoft the indant it came in contact with
the walls already covered with ice. Thus a houfe was formed o f
the moil extraordinary appearance that it is poffible to conceive.
It was ib curious an object that »very body came to gaze at it as a
iomething wonderful. T he whole building, from top to bottom,
was incruflated with a thick coat o f ice : the doors and windows
were clofed up, and in order to gain admiffion it was neceflary
with hammers and hatchets to open a pafiage ; they were obliged
to cut through theice another flair-cafe, for the purpofe o f afcend-
ing to the upper ¡dories. A ll the rooms, and what remained o f
the roof, were embelliihed by long ftalactites o f multifarious
ihapes, and o f a ycHowifh colour, compofed o f the treacle and congealed
water. This' building, contemplated in the light o f the
fun, feemed to hear fome analogy to thofe diamond cadles that
are raifed by the imaginations o f poets. It remained upwards o f
two months in the lame date, and was vidted by all the .curious.
T h e children in particular had excellent amufement with it, and
contributed not a little to the dedruction o f the enchanted palace,
by fearching for the particles o f fugar, which were found in
many places incorporated with the ice.
T he change o f the feafons produces at Stockholm, as every
where elfe, a difference in the amufements and occupations o f
the people. But it is not in many places that this difference is
fo fendbly felt as at Stockholm. During the long days o f dimmer,
when the twilight for more than a whole month fuperfedes
the
the ufe o f candles, all the inhabitants o f tolerable fortunes quit
the town and retire to the country. There they continue the
three or four following montjis, in ipite o f every inconvenience
which the weather may occafion. Their country houfes are fitted
up in a fjtyle o f great magnificence and luxury, and ipany families
live at more expence in thefe maniions than in their town
refidenccs. Thofe villas are for the mod part pleafantly dtuated,
and embellifhed by works o f art, which fécond and improve the
efforts o f nature. You there find hot-houfes, in which they raife
peaches, pine-apples, grapes, and other fruit. A ll kinds o f wines,
liquors, and other delicacies, are lavifhed at the table o f a Swedifh
gentleman, or rich manufacturer, or merchant, in ,the country.
T h e ceremonies and ¡diffnefs that prevail at town entertainments,
are as much as poffible laid afide. T h e houfes o f the merchants
are the mod agreeable as well as the bed maintained, becaufe
they live in the mod unrestrained manner, that is to fay, with the
lead etiquette, and are the riched clafs o f fociety. T h e nobility
never can dived themfelves entirely o f that formality which feems
to be a part o f their inheritance, and confequently they do not
enjoy the pleafures o f the country in perfection. T he two Trench
•travellers preyioufly mentioned, who certainly entertained no
prejudices againd the nobility, made the fame remark in their
journey through Scania ; and it may be ju d ly extended to the
.whole o f that order in every part o f Sweden. “ Many gentle-
“ men,” they fay, “ paß ;the lummer in the country, and fome
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