Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... XXXVII THE RECENT HISTORY OF NORWAY Since the great crisis which terminated in the impeachment of Prime Minister Selmer, the history of Norway has continued somewhat turbulent, although within the bounds of legality; and the contest between the nation and the crown has not yet been decided. Howbeit certain other matters have intervened alongside of the strictly constitutional agitation. Norway has followed the precedent of all other nations which tend towards democracy in associating attacks upon the Church with attempts to limit the power of the crown. The position of the country parson in Norway is one of considerable power and influence. He is, of course, a better educated man than the peasants by whom he is surrounded. Through his glebe he is a landowner; and where all estates are small he may be reckoned a considerable one. He is ex-offieio chairman of the District Board School; and he is very frequently chosen to represent his electoral district in the Storthing. It is this last fact which makes the Norwegian clergyman a more powerful person than his English colleague. We have not a pleasant picture of this pastor (praest) in Ibsen's writings; in the Straamand of " Love's Comedy," or the Dean (Provost) of" Brand." In fact, as we might guess, the literary class and the scientific {the illuminati) are his natural enemies. That he has his fair share of formalism and insincerity we may well suppose. But in any case it was inevitable that the new democracy, impatient of every kind of restraint, should begin a war against the influence of the Church. 1 By C. F. Keary, author of " The Vikings in Western Christendom," "Norway and the Norwegians," &c. For now the Liberal party began to split itself up; and democracy, as in other...