Swedish miles. English miles.
B r in k .................... 14 ................. 34
Kurola..................... 14. ................ 74.
L in k ö p in g 14. . . . . . . . . 104.
Ba rk eb erg 1 64
M o lb y ................... 14. ................ 124
64 454
A very short journey, it must be acknowledged, to occupy thirteen
hours. But the slowness o f our first stage, in consequence o f the
badness o f the horses,, and the length o f time that w:e were detained
at every post-house for horses, except at Linköping, where w e were
so unusually lucky as to get horses immediately, sufficiently account for
the little progress which we made. Travelling in Sweden would be
rapid and agreeable, i f it were not for the almost constant detention
which you have to look for at every stage; a detention that never can
be remedied, as long as the regulations o f posting continue as they
are, and as long as every postman has a monopoly which cannot be
destroyed by any little irregularity in his conduct. Suppose you lodge
a complaint in the Dagbok; it is obvious that such a complaint can
be attended with very little effect. You are not present to confront
the culprit, supposing him to undergo an examination. He is therefore
at full liberty to contrive excuses, and invent plausible reasons
for bis conduct, which the governor o f the province, supposing him
never so much inclined to do justice to all parties, is neither able to
refute nor detect. Besides, as almost all the post-houses are alike,
the number o f complaints would be so great, that the governor
could not well examine them all, and would be disposed, out o f regard
to his own ease, to let them pass off as gently as possible.
Next morning I set out from Molby, about half-past six. M y object
was to get to Ionkoping that night, which was but an easy journey,
provided that horses could be readily procured, and that no accident
happened to the carriage. The stages through which I had to
pass were the following:
• K ■■............ 84
• 14 .......... 1 1 4
. 14 ........... • 84
14 . . . . . . . . . . 84,-
1 4 . . . . . . . . . 114
. 2 . . . ____ 134
But so many cross accidents intervened, that it was half-past ten at
night before we reached the town o f Ionkoping.
The road between Molby and Odeshog lay through a flat country,
and was as straight as an arrow, quite different from the usual curvilinear
direction which the Swedish roads affect, and which gives them
so much beauty. This tract o f country was well cultivated, and covered
with corn, chiefly oats, but they were quite green, and would not
ripen that season. I conceive this tract to be elevated at least 200 feet
above the level o f the Baltic. W e had risen very sensibly, and continued
to rise for some time after leaving Norkoping. Though this
height is not very considerable, it would probably have a sensible effect
on the temperature, especially as this part o f the country is exposed to
the north east winds, from which there is nothing to screen it. The
peasants were busily employed in cutting down their oats, green as they
were, and the only instrument employed was the scythe.
After passing Odeshog, I came in sight o f the lake Vetter, which
constitutes the western boundary o f East Gothland. This lake, the
longest in Sweden, forms a most magnificent expanse o f water. I t is
at least 80 English miles in length, extending from Ionkoping, which
is built on its southern extremity, to Askersund, a town situated not far
from its northern end. Its greatest breadth no where exceeds 18 miles,
and its mean breadth does not exceed 12 miles.. The height o f this
lake above the Venner amounts to 150 feet, and i f we reckon the
Venner to be 150 feet above the sea, which cannot be far from the
truth, this will give us the height o f the Vetter, 300 feet above the
2 N
Ostad
Odeshog. .
Holkaberg
Grenna . .
Roby . . . .
Ionkoping