Therefore the Scandinavian Peninsula may flatter herself, that she has produced more learned and distinguished men in proportion to her population, than any other region of Europe.  The traveler is constantly astonished by the contrast between the wild and savage aspect of nature, and the manufactures, and works of art, which represent the most refined civilization.

But perhaps it is time for us to return to Noroe, and Dr. Schwaryencrona, whom we have left on the threshold of the school.  If the pupils had been quick to recognize him, although they had never seen him before, it had been different with the instructor, whose acquaintance with him dated further back.

“Ah! good-day, my dear Malarius!” said the visitor cordially, advancing with outstretched hands toward the school-master.

“Sir! you are very welcome,” answered the latter, a little surprised, and somewhat timidly, as is customary with all men who have lived secluded lives; and are interrupted in the midst of their duties.  “But excuse me if I ask whom I have the honor of—­”

“What!  Have I changed so much since we ran together over the snow, and smoked our long pipes at Christiania; have you forgotten our Krauss boarding-house, and must I name your comrade and friend?”

“Schwaryencrona!” cried Mr. Malarius.  “Is it possible.—­Is it really you.—­Is it the doctor?”

“Oh!  I beg of you, omit all ceremony.  I am your old friend Roff, and you are my brave Olaf, the best, the dearest friend of my youth.  Yes, I know you well.  We have both changed a little in thirty years; but our hearts are still young, and we have always kept a little corner in them for those whom we learned to love, when we were students, and eat our dry bread side by side.”

The doctor laughed, and squeezed the hands of Mr. Malarius, whose eyes were moist.

“My dear friend, my good excellent doctor, you must not stay here,” said he; “I will give all these youngsters a holiday, for which they will not be sorry, I assure you, and then you must go home with me.”

“Not at all!” declared the doctor, turning toward the pupils who were watching this scene with lively interest.  “I must neither interfere with your work, nor the studies of these youths.  If you wish to give me great pleasure, you will permit me to sit here near you, while you resume your teaching.”

“I would willingly do so,” answered Mr. Malarius, “but to tell you the truth, I have no longer any heart for geometry; besides, having mentioned a holiday, I do not like to disappoint the children.  There is one way of arranging the matter however.  If Doctor Schwaryencrona would deign to do my pupils the honor of questioning them about their studies, and then I will dismiss them for the rest of the day.”

“An excellent idea.  I shall be only too happy to do so.  I will become their examiner.”

Then taking the master’s seat, he addressed the school: