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| Keywords: Town of Brevig (JW Edy plate 33).jpg Artwork Creator John William Edy en Town of Brevig No XXXIII TOWN OF BREVIG As I do not presume to offer any details respecting the origin of the Norwegian towns which occur in this work details which under correction I believe are chiefly to be obtained in a confused way from tradition I beg my readers to form their own conclusions on the subject Much may be said on the natural advantages of such sites for offence and defence as presenting the first motives for their selection Norway from time immemorial has had to boast of her warriors to whom a secure retreat and a strong hold were most desirable We may also trace some of these establishments to the peaceable dispositions of their early inhabitants ; for instance an individual was observed to thrive on a particular spot; another soon be came his neighbour; he also prospered and these examples soon attracted a third and fourth; their joint families growing up pursued their steps and intermarrying with the interior inhabitants in course of time a numerous population arose and agreeing well together became attached to the parental spot Thus a colony was formed which when sufficiently large to be considered a town was designated as such by the reigning monarch who introduced certain laws and regulations seldom neglecting to claim a participation of its revenues which was patiently and invariably conceded often indeed without enquiring who was the original owner chieftain or resident on the spot To confirm this remark there are numerous examples in both ancient and modem history; and it is possible that this little seaport town of Erevig with many more cannot boast of a founder more noble or higher in rank than a humble Fisherman The town is partly situated on the point of a narrow mlet of the Fiord The settlers would be naturally aware of the importance of such a site as it enabled them to prevent access by water from the two towns Porsground and Sheene Brevig is now the residence of many wealthy inhabitants; it consists of two divisions one on the continent the other on an island and connected by a draw bridge Harbours in Norway having two or more entrances are particularly advantageous and are always preferred by the mariner as affording free ingress and regress in all weathers When the wind in certain quarters is violent ships find it impossible to get through the strait for Porsground and are glad to take shelter in this Harbour until a change takes place On my arrival at this town I was distressed to see nearly one half of it smoaking in ruins from a destructive fire which happened the preceding day The distress of the inhabitants was pitiable in the extreme as in addition to their misfortune the remaining part of the town was found incompetent to afford them shelter and common conveniences although to their honour all persons threw open their houses I with some difficulty procured a lodging for one night on the express condition of quitting the town on the following day although it rained incessantly In passing along the street it was a most painful sight to behold the poor children clinging to their parents crying for food and shelter by the sides of the stacks of chimneys the sad remnants of their former habitations; with a heavy heart I ascended the hill commiserating their untimely fate Fires in Norway seldom rage to such an extent as in this instance though destitute of engines the people are very prompt and expert in extinguishing fire by means of a strong iron hook affixed to the top of a long pole on the sides of which are rings with ropes This instrument being applied to the house is forcibly drawn by means of the ropes in many hands and by their repeated efforts the building is soon brought to the ground Thus a conflagration even in tempestuous weather is generally prevented It is to be recollected the houses are chiefly built of timber and few are without such an instrument hanging under the eaves as a necessary appendage My attention was soon called to the unusual appearance of some dark red rocks perforated as if worms had burrowed passages in regular directions through them about half an inch in diameter and nearly parallel The waters of the Fiord washed many of their bases; their heads in numerous instances towered three or four hundred feet above the level of the sea Others were scattered in large fragments around ; in general they were destitute of every kind of moss or shrub and possessed no character to distinguish them of the family of the granite rocks around It may be conjectured that they are volcanic productions The trade of Brevig is not considerable although there are many shipowners who collect their cargoes of timber in other places adjacent The appearance of the town from the Fiord is bold and striking; the large church being whitewashed is considered an excellent sea mark by mariners who visit the safe inner harbour behind it or avoid the pass toward Porsground Ferry boats are always in readiness to convey passengers and goods across the narrow streight either to the westward or eastward over the Fiord to Helgeröe a distance of about six miles at a small expence This latter passage although extremely dangerous in winter is cheerfully undertaken by women if the men are employed elsewhere; and they safety return with the boat be the night ever so dark or inclement The principal inducement I am sorry to say is the brandy bottle so frequently circulated by the traveller during the voyage; this baneful custom is the never failing bribe to induce both man and woman to brave every danger Thus these poor creatures exist in a continued state of stupid half-inebriation regardless of the common necessaries of life food and raiment Thus every noble feeling even that of self preservation is subdued and the natural anxieties of filial or parental attachment are totally lost in an habitual and brutish insensibility Collapse bottom http //urn nb no/URN NBN no-nb_digibok_2011072910001 Boydell's picturesque scenery of Norway London 1820 Plate no 33 p 201 in scanned copy no-nb_digibok_2011072910001 PD-Art-100 John William Edy Boydell's picturesque scenery of Norway Brevik | ||||
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