Stockholm Sweden
Good Friday, April 10, 1903
“Grand Hotel”
Arose at 5.30 to see the approach to Stockholm , after a comfortable nights rest in the sleeping car.- we meeting many Swedes and Norwegians who speak English, Stockolm one of the beautiful cities in Europe . Built on seven islands, lined by excellent bays- has a fine harbor, is reached at 7 a.m.
Mr. Yourstone and Bro met us at the station, with batch sellers papers, etc, both have been in America, one seven years and three years. Accompanied us to the “Grand Hotel,” one of the finest in the city in a carriage, washed dressed, shaved and at 9 1.m., drove to Mr. Yourstone's house for breakfast, met Dr. Gustaf Geete, the translator for Dr. Stall's books into Swedish. A splendid man of general knowledge- who speaks various languages and very good English. After the introduction to Mrs. Y & family, a formal Swedish “Welcome” was extended, all new to us. The breakfast in Swedish style lasted one hour. The children asked the Blessing, and all wait at their chairs, upon rising from the table, to return thanks, and bow to each other. Beautiful bright “Good Friday” morning- stores all closed- took a long walk to see the sights of the city.
Saw very beautiful Wax Figurines, Park. Animals etc.
(W.E. as probably speaking about the famous Skansen open-air museum, opened in 1891 by Artur Hazelius, a teacher, scholar and folklorist. During travels in the country, he noticed how Swedish folk culture was eroding under the influence of industrialization, migration and the collision with the rest of Europe . He got the idea for Skansen after a visit to the world's first open air museum established by King Oscar II near Christinia ( Oslo ) in 1881. For the Nordic museum, Hazelius acquired furniture, clothes, toys etc. from all over Sweden and the other Nordic countries; they were displayed on wax dummies made popular by Madam Tussand in Paris and London . Hazelius was mainly interested in peasant culture. For Skansen, he collected entire buildings and farms. It is located on the island of Djurgården , a royal park near the centre of Stockholm , and an easy walk from the Grand Hotel)
Returned to the house at 3 p.m. in time for a 2 ½ hour dinner, 3.30 to 6 p.m. , served in the Swedish style. Mr. Yourstone's Brother and a Sweetheart, who had spent 3 years in Baltimore were present- also the Translator-
Dinner begun by standing up at the lunch table with fish, meats and little appetizers- then went to the dinner table and sat down to soup, fish, Birds and various courses. Piano music and Canary Birds singing during the meal- mineral water, beer and two kinds of non-alcoholic wines. Salutations and toasts throughout the meal. Splendid table. Fresh flowers, American and Swedish flags, etc. The whole affair sumptuous and to us, Royal . Their home is in the court of the building on a fine street. Cabled home 11 a.m. and rec'd an answer after our dinner 6.30 p.m. Supper was served at 9 p.m. Mr. Yourstones' parents and brothers spent the eve with us- all persons (11) escorted us back to the hotel at 10 p.m. Prepared for a good nights rest after a bright beautiful Good Friday, after so many new experiences-
Saturday April 11, 03
Mr. Y called and took us to his house for 9 o'clock breakfast and then Mr. Y, Dr. Stall and Dr. Geete talked Book business and I went out to see the stores, sights in the city, shave at the hotel and was writing letters in my room when Dr. S and Mr. Y called for me 2.30 p.m. to come up for 3 p.m. dinner- spent the eve with them, coming back to the hotel about 10 p.m., when I sent my letters home.
Easter Sunday, Stockholm 4.12.03
Breakfast at Mr. Yourstones 9 a.m. Church service at St. John's Lutheran Church . Good singinglarge chuch, but very plain, Good pipe organ. Visited King Oscar (of Sweden) palace- King and Queen out of the city- was shown through the King's private rooms, guest chambers and State apartments.
The journal has a vertical notation in the margin at this point saying “Reindeer meat.”
The Royal Palace in Stockholm was built 1697-1754 on the ruins of the old castle Tre Kronor (“Three Crowns”) on Gamlatan Island . The older structure dated back to the 13 th century, but had been destroyed by fire in 1697. It is situated in the Old Town , Stockholm´s original city nucleus, and was designed by the architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and is one the most remarkable Baroque buildings of northern Europe . It was finally completed in 1754 and first occupied by King Adolf Fredrik and his wife Lovisa Ulrika. The palace was furnished in a style that was the precursor of the Gustavian style for which Sweden is today famous. The State Apartments, including the Hall of State, the Apartments of the Chivalry Offices, the Treasury and Gustav III´S Museum of Antiquities, are all open to visitors.
The guide gave us a pen & envelopes from the desk where King does his personal writing, also sat in some of King Oscar's chairs- Visited the old part of the city, and as it commenced raining drove home in three carriages, six in our party, arriving 2 p.m. (I wore my white vest and white necktie today) when I rec'd Nellie's letter written at Shove (two weeks ago).
Dinner served from 3 to 5 p.m. which we enjoyed very much- at 8.30 p.m. Mr Yourstone ordered a fine turn-out, two best horses, gilt satin lined carriage, and with his wife, drove us through the new part of the city back to our Grand Hotel 10 p.m. and went to bed after packing our baggage.
Stockholm , Monday 4.13.03
Up at 6 a.m. Had our first meal at the Hotel, and left for Melmo, the southern end of Sweden, 350 miles away by rail at 9 a.m. Mr Yourstone, wife, his Bro Harry and Sweetheart Miss Jane Clasen “Aunt Jane” and Dr. Geete were all at the station to see us off, giving each of us a bouquet of Red Roses, ferns, etc. On a fast express train, snow flakes- very comfortable in the cars. In Sweden the days are long in Summer, sun sets 10 p.m. and rises 1 a.m. and in the Winter short days and long nights- they all wished us God's Speed.