“Yes, mamma,” said Emma; “but they do not strike us as being ridiculous, because we are accustomed to them; and this must be the case with other nations:  they are used to their peculiar dresses, and have no idea of the astonishment of strangers when viewing the novel attire, which to the wearers possesses nothing remarkable to astonish or attract.”

MR. BARRAUD.  “Near Dagen the navigation of the Baltic is very dangerous; and many years ago the island was principally occupied by men who wickedly subsisted on the misfortunes of others.  A slight sketch of one will sufficiently inform you of the general character of these men.  ’Baron Ungern Sternberg, whose house was situated on a high part of the island, became notorious for his long course of iniquity.  He lived in undisputed authority, never missing an opportunity of displaying his false lights to mislead the poor mariners.  No notice was taken of these cruel practices for some time, for Sternberg was powerful in wealth and influence; until the disappearance of a ship’s captain, who was found dead in his room, the existence of an immense quantity of goods under his house, and other concurring circumstances, led to his apprehension.  He was tried, condemned to Siberia, and his name struck off the roll of the nobility.  His family, however, stands as high now as it ever did; for his descendants were not disgraced; and they still possess all the daring, courage, enterprise, and sparkling wit of their pirate ancestor, although it is but just to say they have not inherited his crimes.  The sensation caused by the dread of this man reached even to the shores of England, and the streets of London were placarded, “Beware of Ungern Sternberg, the Sea Robber!” as a warning to sailors.  This of course was before his seizure, for when he was taken his accomplices could not longer continue their vile occupation.’”

CHARLES.  “I am anxious to know if it is from the shores of the Baltic the Turks procure the golden-colored amber of which they make the mouth-pieces for their pipes?”

MR. WILTON.  “Yes, Charles; the amber-gathering is carried on extensively there, and is the wealth of half the inhabitants.  The amber is sent to Turkey and Greece, and there manufactured into those splendid mouth-pieces, which it is the pride of these smoke-loving people to possess.  Some of these are excessively gorgeous and proportionably valuable.  I have heard of one being worth the enormous sum of 100_l_!”

GEORGE.  “Parts of Sweden are entirely separated by the Gulf of Bothnia.  What sort of ships have they, papa, to cross the water in that cold country?”