La Norwège

par Louis ENAULT. Paris : Hachette. 1857.

NORWAY, though a member of the European family, with a population once so influential in the world’s history, is comparatively the least known of all civilized countries to the world at large, and what little we know of it is of a very recent date,-Stephens’s and Leopold von Buch’s works being not much more than a quarter of a century old, while Bayard Taylor’s lively sketches in the “ New York Tribune ” are almost wet still, and not yet complete. The latter and M. Enault’s book, when compared with each other, leave not the slightest doubt that each observes carefully and conscientiously in his own way, that both possess peculiar gifts for studying and describing correctly what there is worth studying and describing in this terra incognita, and that we can rely on both. Mr. Taylor is more picturesque, lively, fascinating, and drastic ; M. Enault more thorough, quiet, and reserved in the expression of his opinions. The parts seem to be interchanged,-the Frenchman exhibiting more of the AngloSaxon, the American more of the French genius ; but both confirm each other’s statements admirably, and should be read side by side. If our readers wish to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the workings of the laws and institutions, with the statistical, economical, and geographical facts, the society and manners, the later history and future prospects of Norway, they will find here a work trustworthy in every respect.