File:Rock near Lundy (JW Edy plate 21).jpg

The country from Arendal to Lunde is very rugged and mountainous, presenting continued scenes of horror and barrenness. The traveller is, in consequence, the more agreeably surprized on viewing the delightful valley, in which Naess ironworks are situated. In point of picturesque beauty, the valley of Naess forms a perfect landscape; all that nature could do in the distribution of wood, hill, dale and water, has been done here with a most lavish hand. The traveller's attention is not, however, solely confined to impressions arising from a contemplation of the awful and pleasing efforts of nature; his interest is, at the same time, most powerfully awakened to considerations affecting the welfare of all the inhabitants of this country. This sequestered spot, which is particularly distinguished for giving birth to useful schemes, for the advancement of the prosperity of this country, affords the most gratifying proofs of the practicability of designs, which, if carried into execution with some portion of the spirit and talent of the owner of Naess ironworks, would communicate increase of happiness and honour to every part of Norway. Indeed the valley of Naess is most eminently entitled to the attention of the traveller, whether he be a native or a stranger. It is the residence of Mr. Jacob Aall, jun., a gentleman with whose name the most gratifying recollections and the most interesting anticipations are intimately associated in the mmd of every one who has any knowledge of the events that have lately occurred, and are likely to take place in Norway. The iron-works at Naess hold the first rank in the country; and the successful experiments made here in agriculture, horticulture, and various other branches of art and science, impart a degree of interest to the valley of Naess, which, perhaps, no other spot in Norway possesses.

On entering the mansion of Mr. Aall, the traveller can scarcely refrain from giving way to those emotions which Johnson felt in the enjoyment of the hospitality and elegance of Raasay and Dunvegan ; for a transition from the gloom of woods, or the barenness of stony tracts to seats of plenty, gaiety, magnificence and refined intellectual enjoyments, though it may not prove so strikingly agreeable as in the wilds of the Hebrides, must certainly be allowed to form one of the pia desideria of a traveller in Norway.

The mansion at Naess, which is built on principles of elegant simplicity, contains a fine collection of paintings, chiefly by Danish masters, executed in a style, which seems to question the justice of the following remark : "It would be loss of time to speak of the fine arts in Denmark: they hardly exist."¹ That a man of distinguished literary merit and opulence should possess an extensive library, may naturally be expected. Every European traveller will scarcely look in vain for the best productions of his country. It may not be improper to observe here, that an Englishman will frequently derive pleasure from observing the homage rendered in Norway to the effusions of the only free press in Europe. It is quite a comfortable reflection to think, that such works as the Edinburgh Review, and other productions to which the British press only can give birth, still force their way through all the barriers opposed to a diffusion of wholesome principles. A chambre syndicale of which poor Smollet so bitterly complained, when his books were taken away from him on his arrival in France, has not, however, as yet been established in Norway.

1.^ Edinburgh Review, Art. Tableau, par Catteau.