Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/318

300 mediæval history, as for instance in "Pigen fra Norge." As a lyrical poet he has also done good work. He is tender and melodious, and generally understands the art of giving his verses an elegant and attractive form. The best of his poetical works is his "Sorg og Tröst" (Sorrow and Consolation), a collection written on the occasion of the death of his beloved wife, and which was received with the highest favor, not only in Norway, but also in both the other Scandinavian countries. His cycle of romances, "Kongedatterns Brudefart" (The bridal tour of the princess), is also an exceedingly fine work.

The energetic efforts which began to be manifested about the year 1830 in the study of the characteristic peculiarities of the Norwegian people served as an important aid to the intellectual development on the basis of natural elements in the sense in which Welhaven and his friends had suggested. The knowledge of the life and habits of thought, of the nature of the country, etc., had hitherto been very superficial. What was known did not extend beyond the limits of the most ordinary things, and was not sufficient to serve as the basis of a truly national literature which was to have its roots in the life of the nation, and to reflect the character of the people. A beginning was now made in the way of collecting the materials and in publishing them in a systematic form. Not only was a new and brighter light shed on a multitude of things through the researches of historians and scientists, but entirely new fields, which had hitherto remained neglected, were made the object of comprehensive inquiries that yielded rich harvests.

In this direction much was done by (born 1812) who, partly alone and partly in connection with the bishop,  (1813-1880), collected old popular tales which were admirably adapted for the poet-