Swedes
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Favell Lee Mortimer (1802-78) was an English Evangelical author. She was something of a literary superstar to an impressionable audience, both in her native England and beyond. Her descriptions of other cultures are marred by unpleasant stereotypes. The following was published in 1850.
Sweden and Swedes
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| Swedes with bitter-free, creamy-yellow flesh. |
Lakes are very useful to the poor Swedes, because they are full of fish. [p. 270]
Even poor people eat five times a day. [p. 270]
There is a . . . custom of drinking a glass of spirits before meals three times a day. This habit is very bad for the health, and shortens the life. [p. 270-71]
You are ready to think the Swedes are a wise and good people. Not so. [p. 271]
Swedes swear also in a dreadful manner, the gentlemen as well as the poor people. [p. 272]
The Swedes are very polite. If you give a little footboy some money, he will say "Tak," and kiss the back of your hand, and then bow gracefully. Even the beggars will show their gratitude by kissing your sleeve or the skirt of your coat. But what is politeness compared to truth and honesty! [p. 273]
As you go along the road you will observe broken windows, unswept yards, torn thatch. It seems as if the people were idle, and cared not for their houses. [p. 273]
There are large forests, in which lone cottages are found - many miles from any town. . . . These poor foresters are not as wicked as the rest of the nation. [p. 274]
The Swedes do not care as much for comforts, as for ornaments . . . they often do without basins, jugs, chests of drawers, curtains, and other useful furniture. [p. 275]
Nothing useful is well done in Sweden. The carpenters and the blacksmiths are very clumsy in their work, but the musicians play beautifully. [p. 275]
Norway and Norwegians
The men are tall and strong. [p. 283]
Nothing grieves a Norwegian more than to see a stranger drive his pony too fast. [p. 289]
Literature
Favell Lee Mortimer. The Countries of Europe Described. Philadelphia: Appleton and Co., 1850.
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