Itrong citadel of Catlilein, which Hands on an eminence in the
middle of the ifland. It was built in 1682, by Charles the
Eleventh, and was taken by the Danes in 17195 but its fortifications
have lately been fo confiderably ftrengthened, that it is
now deemed impregnable. On the top of the higheft tower is
a light-houfe, from which I commanded a moil extenfive view of
the Cattegate, fprinkled in the adjacent parts with fo many rocks
and iflands as furprized me from their aftoniihing number—
“ T h i c k as th ’ a u tum n a l le a v e s th a t f t r ew th e v a le ,
“ O f V a lom b r o f a * . ”
The numerous rocks and ihoals render this fea fo extremely
dangerous, that, according to an accurate computation, above 300
veflels annually take refuge during itrefs of weather in the harbour
of Marilrand. It was a pleafing reflection to fee thefe rocks
covered with the huts of fiihermen, and to confider, that the in-
duftry of man had rendered fuch barren fpots the nurferies
of many families by the profits of the herring fiihery.
Having gratified our curiofity at Marilrand, we embarked, and
returned to Kiulthal, from whence we continued our journey
through a country fo exceedingly rocky and barren, that if I
had not obferved occafional flips of com and pailure in the fmall
vallies, I ihould have concluded, that the fea had only left it
yeilerday. As I advanced towards Uddevalla the lands became
gradually more and more fertile, yielding rye, barley, and oats,
iprinkled with foreits of fir, and watered by feveral lakes. As
* Milton.
we
'we pafled thefe pieces o f water in the duik o f the evening, we c h a p .
- tv.
mbferved feveral boats hanging out lights in order to allure the ■ .
fiih into nets.
Uddevalla is prettily fituated on a bay of the fea, and at the
bottom of fome ileep rocks at the extremity of a imall but fruitful
valley. The houfes are built of wood painted red and yellow;
the ilreets are fpacious and airy. It contains about 3,000 inhabitants,
and carries on a tolerable commerce, exporting iron,
planks, and herrings.
As we proceeded in our journey northward from Uddevalla,
the hills increafed in height; the vallies became more confined,
and lefs fruitful; the rocks more rugged; and the few pines
that relieved the eye lefs tall and luxuriant.
V ol. III. S C H A P .