Northern Europe, (Denmark, Sweden, Russia,) local, social, and political, in 1861. With a succinct continuation down to May, 1862

Front matter

(DENMARK, SWEDEN, RUSSIA,) LOCAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL, IN 1861. WITH A SUCCINCT CONTINUATION DOWN TO MAY, 1862 By Captain W. F. B. LAURIE, Her Majesty's Madras Artillery, (late) Commissary of Ordnance, Nagpore Force. •' Ye lakes, whose vessels catch the busy gale ; Ye bending swains, that dress the flowery vale ; For me your tributary stores combine : Creation'3 heir, the world, the world is mine .' Goldsmith's Traveller. * * •' Coming events cast their shadows before." Campbell. LONDON: SAUNDERS, OTLEY, AND CO., 66, BROOK STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. 1862. LONDON: W. CLOWF.S AND SOKS, STASIFOKD STREET AND CHAPING CPOSS. TO MY FATHER, WHOM I ACCOMPANIED DURING THE BRIEF TOUR RECORDED IN THIS VOLUME, I DEDICATE THE SAME, AS A MARK OF AFFECTION AND RESTECT. ft2

Preface

I am induced to publish the following Notes from a desire to furnish some popular information about Northern Europe. For this purpose, what novel matter I picked up in my visit is combined with what is old or already known. There are detailed works on Scandinavia and Russia ; but, I believe, none from which, in a short space of time, those whose daily occupations prevent much reading, may gain a general view of the social and political aspects of the North. The Marquis de Custine's ' Russia ' is a popular large work on that empire. It was written, however, before the strong autocratic spirit really began to pass away. Russia is gradually becoming enlightened and liberal. During the threatening war-storm which has just passed over us, an endeavour to aid the cause of Peace was manifested by the communication of all papers from the Russian Minister at Washington to the Great Powers.

Russia had, before this, given the Americans counsel regarding the horrors of a civil war ; and, while Prussia was threatening Denmark, we had the French Emperor — that mens eequa in arduis — taking steps with Russia for the recognition of the Kingdom

PREFACE.

. of Italy by that power. Truly, " coming events cast their shadows before ! " That long talked-of "mustering among the masses," and general emancipation from physical and mental thraldom, may not be far distant. Regarding Denmark, all may not be of opinion — although I am sure there are many who are — that the best policy for Denmark to follow is that of an intimate union with the two other Scandinavian kingdoms. But few calm observers of the political barometer of Europe will deny that the union into one political body of the Scandinavian tribes in the North is " merely a question of time." About this question there are many difficulties, but which may all disappear before kingly wisdom and bold statesmanship. The attitude of the Norwegian Government towards Sweden has not, since my visit, been quite satisfactory ; but, doubtless, ere this, Charles XV. has done his utmost in that quarter to " allay passions," and " satisfy wishes " which the general interest does not absolutely force him to resist.

Touching home, I am anxious to see brought about a firm British and Scandinavian alliance. Historical remarks have been here and there introduced, which may give my little work, if it have any merit at all, more than only a passing value. I may remark that the whole is the work of a soldier, at home recruiting his health after superin tending a large arsenal in the East during late years, including that (1857) of India's "severest trial." The old question of Russian Invasion of British India has been revived in a chapter from my ' Diary.' Two Seetabuldee lectures, delivered by me in Central

PREFACE.

. IX India, have also been given for the sake of variety : they may likewise interest from the affinity which exists between the East and the North. With regard to the Mogul lecture, the return of a Proconsul to the greatest city in the world, from the scene of his Eastern triumphs, may form an excuse for here presenting a brief sketch of the decline and fall of that once mighty Mogul Empire, which, for centuries, kept many nations in terror ; and on the ruins of which we have founded a mighty Empire, and carried out the grandest mission ever achieved by the genius of Great Britain. As the publication of this work has been longer delayed than was anticipated, advantage has been taken of the delay to give a supplementary section, to which I beg the reader's attention, bringing events down to the opening of the Great International Exhibition. W. F. B. L. Boulogne-sur-Mer, 2nd May, 1862. CONTENTS.

— A WATERLOO HERO — HOME .... 254

Section X

supplementary section. From February to May, 1862 . ■ 261 NOTES, CHIEFLY SCIENTIFIC ...... 275 USEFUL NOTES FOR TRAVELLERS IN NORTHERN EUROPE . . 283 SEETABULDEE LECTURES. I. THE NEILGHERRIES, OR BLUE MOUNTAINS . . . 290 II. A 8KETCH OF THE MOGULS, AND THE MOGUL EMPIRE IN INDIA ......... 320 POLITICAL SKETCH. (From the Diary of a Commissary.) NOTES ON RUSSIAN INVASION OF BRITISH INDIA . . . 358