Norway - Norway's fine capital city

( Originally Published 1907 )

Direction—Northwest across Parliament Street which runs parallel with Karl Johan Street. Surroundings—Business streets.

From Karl Johan Street we had a glimpse of the northern wall of the Parliament Building at our left. Now we are at its southern side, so we find it on our right. Many an exciting session have the people's representatives held within those substantial walls. It was there in 1905 they cast the decisive vote that separated Norway from Sweden, thus establishing absolute national independence.* A gallery open to the public admits visitors to hear debates. The structure at the left, beyond this little, grassy square, belongs to the Order of Free Masons. Those embowering trees straight ahead are in Eidsvold Square; band concerts are given in summer-time in a public garden adjoining that one. The building with the large dome is a fine theatre ; beyond that, of course we recognize the huge, oblong mass of the palace.

In winter the snow is often two or three feet deep in the parks, and the street traffic is on runners in-stead of wheels, jingling sleigh-bells sounding every-where just as in the northern United States. Tweedie's Winter Jaunt to Norway gives a glowing account of the pleasures of a winter visit here a few years ago—of sleigh-rides and winter sports and all sorts of pleasant festivities.

The National University, Library and Museum are only a short distance from here ahead of us and off at the right, beyond the Parliament Building and the adjacent tree-covered square.