Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/419

Rh every-day life, and the comedies by Blanche and others, especially by (born 1818), contributed in a great measure to counteract the narrow idealism. A element was further added, which had essentially the same effect. It was first introduced by Fahlcrantz, whose "Noacks Ark" appeared in 1825, and then in a still more effective form by (1777-1839). The latter particularly excelled in improvisations, and at merry gatherings his verses flowed freely in praise of wine and love, but he has also written both earnest and humorous poems of lasting merit. It must be admitted that he had a keen eye for nature and a fine sense for the idyllic in life, though he was mainly a humorist. In the latter capacity he was exceedingly witty and funny, and it is to be regretted that he has so often marred his compositions by rude and cynic expressions.

But (1813-60) did the most effective work in this direction, and he appeared just at a time when the public had been surfeited with sentimentalism. He was originally a military officer, but in his thirty-third year he abandoned this career in order to devote himself exclusively to literature. His poems and tales have as a rule a keen touch of satire, but there are also found in them frequent effusions of sentiment, as for instance in "Quinnoögat" (a woman's eye), and he sometimes climbs to the heights of genuine humor. The graceful freshness of his songs at once gained him many friends, though some were offended at the uncouth and homely phrases which he was unable to avoid. Still his poetry was so quaint and charming that he has become one of the most popular poets of his time.

(1811-69), known by the nom de plume Orvar Odd, was also a vigorous intellect, and did valuable service in literature to the cause of Scandinavian unity. His feuilleton-like sketches in "Grupper och person-