approach, which otherwise would not be heard over the smooth road.  The glassy way was crowded with skaters, gliding past with graceful ease and folded arms, “as though they trod on tented ground.”  We soon reached our destination, and found assembled a large and joyous party.  The festival commenced in the morning, and continued late.  The fare was luxuriant, and the bride, in her white dress and orange blossoms (for, be it known, such things are sometimes seen, even in this region of spruce and pine), looked as all brides do, bashful and beautiful.  The “grave and pompous father,” and busy-minded mother, had a look which, though concealed, told that at heart they rejoiced to see their “bairn respeckit like the lave,” and “all indeed went merry as a marriage bell.”  We and some others left at midnight.  The air was piercingly cold, and the bear skins in which we were wrapped soon had a white fringe, where fell the fast congealing breath.  There was no moon, and the stars looked dim, in the fitful gleam of the streamers of the aurora borealis, which were glancing in corruscations of awful grandeur along the heavens, now throwing a blood red glare on the snow, their pale sepulchral rays of green or blue imparting a ghastly horror to the scene, or arranging themselves like the golden pillars of some mighty organ, while, ever and again, a wild unearthly sound is heard, as if swords were clashing.  Those mysterious northern lights, whose appearance in superstitious times was supposed to threaten, or be the forerunner, of dire calamity; and no wonder was it, for even now, with all the light science has thrown upon such things, there is attached to them, seen as they are in this country, a feeling of dread which cannot all be dispelled.

Travelling on the ice is not altogether free from danger; and even when it is thought safe, there are places where it is dangerous to go.  The best plan of avoiding these is to follow the track of those who have gone before—­never, but with caution, and especially at night, striking out a new one.

One of the parties who accompanied us wished to reach the shore.  There was a path which, though rather longer, would have led him safely to it, but he determined to strike across the unmarked ice, to where be wished to land.  All advised him to take the longer way, but he was resolute, and turned his horse’s head from us.  The gallant steed bounded forward—­the golden light was beaming from the sky—­and we paused to watch his progress.  A fearful crashing was heard—­then a sharp crack, and sleigh, horse, and rider vanished from our sight.  ’Twas horrible to see them thus enclosed in that cold tomb.

Assistance was speedily sought from the shore, but ere it came I heard the horrid shout of “steeds that snort in agony,” while the blue sulphurous flash from above showed the man struggling helplessly among the breaking ice.  Poles were placed from the solid parts to where he was, and he was rescued.  He was carried to the nearest house, and with some difficulty restored to warmth.  The sleighing rarely passes without many such accidents occurring, merely through want of caution.