SKETCHES IN FINLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1832, 31 December 1886, Page 13

SKETCHES IN FINLAND.

The " Namns dag," or " Name's day," congratulations bear an important part in the hospitable customs of Finland. Almost every known name has a day appropriated to itself in the year's calendar, and one should be acquainted with the " Namns dag " of every member of his family if he would not be taken unawares. Once while staying at my summer residence at Muhos, some 30 English miles from Uleaborg, my wife and self were much surprised to see a cavalcade of carriages bearing flown upon our lonely homestead. One after another turned into our courtyard, when we found that all our friends from town were there to congratulate my daughter, it being " Klara's dag " (Clara's day). Our larder was, happily, pretty well stocked, so the usual preliminaries of coffee, wine, and cake, tea, and a dance, gave plenty of time for our servants to prepare supper. When April 6 came round, that being " Wilhelm's dag " (William's day), we were better prepared to receive the kindlyhearted friends who flocked in to wish me " health, wealth, and happiness."

One of the curious matters that strike an Englishman is the custom of bringing " Helsningar," or " compliments," from their town or parish, thus : " Helesningar fran Uleaborg." On returning from church, even, they will bring " Helsningar fran Kyrkan."

Every day in the year seems to afford some subject of congratulation to the Fins, the most important of all being New Year's Day, when the governor of the place is first visited by all who know him, and afterwards every friend must be visited, in full dress. Hearty wishes are expressed for the happiness of everyone, and the air resounds with " Btt godt nytt ar, mm Far-bror," or «• Ett godt nytt, mm £ror"(A happy New Year,

my unclej" "A Happy New Year, my brother.") . The" tTut-klapp," or " Christmas presents " made by the better sort of Fin& are of a costl3 r nature ; not only do jewels and ornamen6 bear sway, for articles of use — even to wearing apparel— pass from hand to hand. These presents are made up in parcels, and on Christmas Eve at social gatherings they are sent flying into the room with the names of the recipients written upon them. Sometimes these parcels are a source of much amusement on account of their contents, as, when a young man who has not yet got enough down on his upper lip " to give," as " Punch" has it, " to (h)airy nothing fit local, habitation and a name, receives a razor s.i a present ! A very "friendly custom — derived from the Swedes, no doubt — is that of the young men calling the elder ones "Far-bror" (uncle), and each other " brothers." This is not done, however, without an acquaintance of some standing ; then if a young man wishes to add tou to his list of " uncles " he modestly makes his request, and on your acceding to it he shades your hand and drinks to " Farbror's skal " (uncle's health). From that timeMn speaking of or addressing you he will give you the "Far-bror" prefix.

A Finnish peasant when in love does not declare his affection — save with his eyes, possibly, which are apt to speak volumes on such occasions. He entrusts his secret to some old'dame, a mutual friend, who forthwith seeks out his inamorata and says to lier all she can in favour of his suit, at the same time tendering, some present from him. Should the girl decline this the disappointed match-maker has the melancholy task of breaking the sad news to the woe-begone lover. If happier in her mission the loving pair are quickly betrothed, when a series of congratulations set in. The bride and bridegroom elect are waited upon by their friends upon an early day after their engagement is made known, and they are to be congratulated^ again upon the occasion of the first as well asthe last time of " asking " in church, for the banns must be published for rich and poor alike. The wedding invariably takes place in> ! the same week in which they have been, "asked" for the last time. The poorer class, whose house accommodation consists of one or, at most, two rooms, are married in- the church, but the better-to-do have the ceremony performed at their own homes about 7 o'clock in the evening. A small square of carpet is laid upon the floor and cushions placed on this for the happy couple to kneel upon. The " marskalkar " (best men) stand at each corner of the square holding lighted. tapers during the ceremony, which is concluded by an exhortation from the priest, and congratulations and kisses all round. ,The party then eat, drink, smoke, and dance far into the night, and for several following evenings. This for a peasant would be a- seriously expensive affair were it not that every guest leaves a money contribution according to his or her means. Frequently as much as 600 marks, or £24, is subscribed on such occasions.

Among the richer class the wedding arrangements are really costly affairs, the dais for the kneeling pair being of the richest material, and the groomsmen bearing massive silver candelabra. The bride is always dressed in pure white, with a long flowing veil and wreath of natural flowers. Four bridesmaids, also in white, wear armlets of natural flowers, as do the groomsmen favours of the same on their coats. After the ceremony itself the supper is the great event of the evening, standing in place of our wedding breakfast. Served up at 12 o'clock, it is a really magnificent repast/ the tables "groaning" under the weight of a most varied collection of eatables and drinks

So sharp and biting is the winter's breath that soon after 'starting in the open air the sledge, wraps, and yourselves are as white as though powdered with flour. This gives the appearance of grisly old age to every one. In" travelling through the thick forests on a frosty and moonlight night many weird and spectral effects are seen ; marvellous objects formed by winter's rime on trees, bushes, and rocks

No description can convey the powerful impressipn these imaginary scenes have upon the mind, nor the weight, the sublime yet awful silence has. upon one's spirits. The dreary sound of the crunching snow or the horse's bells alone disturbs the solitude, save wh'e"n the bark of some tree is rent by the frost and breaks with a dull and leaden sound. *

No fear, need now be entertained of an attack by wolves or other ravenous beasts, as such are fast becoming extinct in Finland ; sheep, and even dogs, are sometimes missing through their raids, and it will at times happen that in the anguish of famine the wolves attack horses.

A species of sledge, small and very light, called " Kalke," enables a pedestrian to get over the ground very quickly. A rope is attached to the front part, by aid of which it is pulled up hill. Once at the top, the owner gets into the " Kalke," pulls against the rope, and goes flying down the declivity, steering With his feet, at express speed. This, besides being the bicycle, is also the perambulator and the clothes basket of the country. ~?

Snow shoes are a favourite aid to locomotion, and ar© very simply constructed by the peasants themselves from a pliable strip of birch— 3in, or 4in in width and from .sft to 6ft long—slightly turned up in front. In the centre Of each " shoe" is a strap, similar to that upon a clog, sometimes made of leather, ,but' more frequently of twisted willows, into which the feet are slipped. A short' staff, to the end of which is affixed a wheel (to prevent the stick sinking too deep into the snow), assists the traveller to give himself the first impetus, and afterwards to sf eer in whatever direction he may require. It is wonderful how swiftly by the aid of these shoes the natives fly down hills, and even on a level road they go faster than the swiftest hotse. The writer tried to learn the aTt of snow-shoe travelling, but came to immediate grief. "

The towns of Finland are nearly all upon the c6a&t.'VAb.o'is probably the most interesting; Kavirie a brick cathedral with a

beautiful Gothic roof. A plain marble tablet in the wall is in memory of Catherine, queen of Eric XIV, who lies buried beneath the choir. She was a daughter of a peasant at Madelpad, and, as a child, sold nuts in the market place of Stockholm. The king, being greatly struck by her beauty, took her to the palace to be educated, and there fell so desperately in love with her that the people declared she had given him a love-potion. They were married in 1568, and the king was shortly after dethroned.

At Tornea, Finland's northernmost town, Maupertuis made his observations for deter-

.•1 NEW YEARS CARD FROM A

FAR-OFF LAND, Over the mountain and over the sea, Speed, little card to my old countrie, Greeting the friends whom mv heart holds dear, With the wonted wish of a " Glad New Year." Say, though in sun-dowered lands I roam, Yet still I yearn for the friends "at home," And bid them remember, on New Year's Day, The wanderer who dewlls in the far- away. Bright shines the sun in tho alien Bkies ' Yet tell them the heart of the exile sighs For the chequered beauty of dale and lea— Of shadow and light in the old countrie. Gaily glow the Australian flowers ; But the primrose— born amid April's showers— Is fairer to her than the gorgeous blooms Which the Orient weaves in her golden looms. Say, though in life she may tread no more The haunts she has loved from the days of yore Yet her thoughts will bridge o'er the moanine sea. To greet her friends in the old Countrie. And ever and aye, whpn the day is done, Her glance will follow the westering sun, And in fancy glide on his golden beams To the land she may only behold in dreams. Then, white-winged messenger, take thy flight— Tarrs not, loiter not, day nor night ; Over the mountain and over the sea, Speed, little card, to my own countrie.