hufvud, and is said to yield 10 per cent, o f silver. But this must be a
mistake. I do not believe that any variety o f galena (the ore o f this
mine) ever was found that gave a return of silver nearly approaching
to that quantity. It is said likewise that the lead mine of Forsby, in
the same province, which continued to be wrought till the year 1719,
yielded 4 per cent, of silver. An estimate which I conceive likewise
to be greatly beyond the truth.
CH A P T E R X I .
JOURNEY TO FAHLUN.
Soldiers’ Houses—Swedish Sii;names—Rout to Sala—Detained for Horses—Rout to
Fajiluu—Singular Bridges—River Dal—Character of the Dalecarlians—Description
of the .Provinc^-^-Account of the Swedish Hills—Nature of. the Porphyry Tract at
Elfdal—Hisinger’s Classification of Rocks—His Account of the Structure of Dalecarlfa
—Inferences.
\ \ rE left Upsala about four o’clock in the evening, intending to take
the shortest road to Fahlun; but by the stupidity of our servant, who
made no inquiry, and the ignorance of the boy who went with the
post horses, we took the wrong road, and not only went 14 miles
about; but had the misfortune to pass through a tract of country very
little frequented; where posting was unusual, and where we were sure
to be detained at every stage for post horses. The day was fine and
rather warm, and the sky almost without a cloud. The country
through which we passed that day was level, and appeared very well
cultivated. We had an opportunity of observing a considerable number
of houses belonging to soldiers; with the fields surrounding them,
by the cultivation o f which they supported themselves and families
when not actually in the field. These houses and fields gave one a
favourable idea of the industry o f these men. The houses were in
rows, each at a considerable distance from its neighbour. They were
constructed of wood, and small, but in the neatest order. The fields
looked also well, and bore good crops. The Swedish peasants have not