Page:Three Years in Europe.djvu/228

192 except the hardy but stunted firs and pines which covered and beautified them. We threaded our way through these islands so that for the most part our way seemed to be through a beautiful and winding lake, and it was difficult to believe that we were in the sea. Sometimes, however, the islands almost disappeared and we had a view of the open sea, but soon we entered into a maze of islands again. We left the sea, and turned inland again at night.

9th August. Early in the morning we found ourselves in the beautiful lake Rosen, and by 8 we reached Berg at the west end of the lake. Here the steamer was to pass through about 15 locks, ascending about 150 ft. within half a mile! It was very interesting to watch the ascent; gate after gate was opened in the front and closed in the rear, and at each step the vessel rose about 10 ft. It took us about two hours before we had passed all these gates. From Berg to Lake Boren our route lay through a beautiful country. The canal was embanked on both sides with high earth-work shaded by rows of beautiful trees which gave the place a park-like appearance. On both sides of us we could see extensive cultivated fields, with stretches of rye, oats, wheat and barley. Farmers' residences and stables and barn houses dotted the country, while the poorer huts of labourers also appeared in view. The scene was pleasant, and it was a change too after the unending pine forests which we had seen in the more northern parts of the peninsula.