Births.. Deaths-.
1780 — 24',711 18.523
V I 00
— 24,153 — 16,072-
00tv
— 23*944 — 17,SOT
V I G0J0
— 2i *554 — r9*357
Sum total 165,042- PO
COM
By dividing 165,042, the fum total of births, during the, feven
years, by feven, we have 23,577 ^or t^ie annual average number
of births; and by dividing 123,100, the fum total of deaths,
by the fame number, we have 17,585 for the annual average
number of deaths. If, upon a fuppofition that in the whole
kingdom one in 35 dies annually, we multiply 17,585, the annual
number of deaths, by 35, we have 605,475 for the population
of Norway. Or, if we multiply 23,577, t^ie annual number
of births, by 30,- the ufual mode * of calculation, we have
707,310 ; and by allowing for omiffions,. we cannot eftimate the
probable population of all Norway at more than 750,000 fouls.
The Norwegians, being the fame race with the Danes, and
fo long connefted with them in religion and government,
fpeak the fame language, with a neceffary mixture of provincial
expreffions. Wilfe -f, a native of Norway, informs us,
that the gentry and inhabitants of the principal towns, allow-
* See D r . Price on Annuities. t W ilfe 's Reiie, p. 28.
ing
ing for a few provincial expreffions, fpeak purer Danifh- than is C HA P.
ufual even in Denmark, not excepting Copenhagen;-that the t. — -1
inhabitants of the eaftern confines bordering, 011. Sweden naturally
blend many Swediih words ; that throughout the whole
country the general accent and cadence is more analogous to the a
Swediih * than to the Danifh pronunciation ; and that the inhabitants
on the weftern coafts, who have a more confiant communication
with the Danes, partake lefs of this peculiarity. .
The Norwegians maintain their own army, which conflits of
24,000 infantry, and 6,000 cavalry. The troops are much
efteemed for their bravery, and, like the Swifs mountaineers, exceedingly
attached to their country.
The horfes which fupply their, cavalry are finall,but ftrong,
aitive, and hardy.
Every peafant (thofe excepted who inhabit the coafts, and are
claffed as failors) not born in a town, or upon fome noble eftate,
is by birth a foldier, and enrolled for iervice at the age of
fixteen. From that year until he has attained the age of 26, he
is claffed in the young militia. At 26 he enters into the old militia,
and continues to ferve till 36,,, at .which period he receives
his difcharge. The militia take the field every year in the :
month of June, and remain encamped about a month.
Norway , is bleffed with a particular code, called the Norway
* T h e Swediih and Danifh languages in g or chanting tone. - T h e Swedes
are both d ia leâ s o f the T eu to n ic .or have a more varied and lively pronun- -
German, and are both fpoken in a lin g - ciation.
Letvi»,