f
V*
ts south banks: so that Ionkoping occupies in fact a narrow isthmus
between the two lakes; and nothing can be conceived more delightful
than this charming situation. The country all round is hilly, and not
too much covered with wood, while the Vetter insures an extensive
prospect on the north, and lays open to the town the fine country and
bold cliff which bounds that lake on the east side. On the south the
view is not extensive. The ground rises pretty rapidly for six or seven
miles; but as there is no hill, it has merely the appearance o f an extensive
forest. The rise is scarcely perceptible to the eye; and when you
travel south, the height of the trees into which you immediately
plunge, soon deprives you of the sight o f Ionkoping, and even o f the
lake Vetter. Nothing is more difficult than to form an accurate idea o f
the situation o f an extensive flat country covered with wood; because
you are never in a situation to be able to see any great extent of it at the
same time.
Like all the other Swedish towns Ionkoping has been repeatedly
burnt down. The last accident o f this kind happened in 1790, and
since: that time the whole town has been rebuilt. The houses are still
o f wood, but large and comfortable. In this country we have'a prejudice
against wooden houses, on the supposition that they must be
very cold: but the Swedish wooden houses are warmer than houses of
stone. Entire trees, merely cut into the square form, are used for
building the walls, and the joinings o f them are made so close, by means
of moss, that no air whatever can make its way between them. Wood
being a worse conductor o f heat than bricks, it is obvious that a
thick house o f wood must be warmer than one made o f any other
materials.
Ionkoping, while we were there, was filled with soldiers, who
seemed but lately raised, and were busily employed at drill., They
were all very young, and a considerable proportion both o f men and
officers were absolutely boys. ■ Among them was a party of riflemen,
dressed in green, with very small light muskets, and very long swords.
The Swedish soldiers, o f whom I saw a great number, were all well