COXe’s TRAVELS IN NORWAY.

37 2

This morning having again ferried over the Glomme, here as deep and about as broadas the Thames at Putney, we reached Kongfwinger, a firong fortrefs on the frontiers ofNorway , fituated on a fteep rock, and deemed impregnable. Charles the Twelfth re-connoitred it, but found the pofition fo ftrong, that even he thought it prudent to de-cline the attack. It was built at different intervals; the moll ancient part was probablyconftru&ed above four hundred years ago, and the fortrefs has been gradually enlarged,particularly by Chriftianthe Fifth and Frederic the Fourth. Some recent fortificationsrender it a regular fortrefs with eight baftions. In time of war it requires a garrifon ofone thoufand men; the prefent compliment confifts only of one hundred and twenty.Some eminences on the other fide of the river command the fortrefs, and would be theonly means by which the works could be attacked with any profpecl of fuccefs; but, ac-cording to the opinion of the officer who accompanied us, thefe heights are fo extremelyfteep and rugged, that it would be almoft impradticable to draw to their fummits largepieces of artillery of a fize fufficient to batter the walls.

From the windows of the fortrefs, we commanded a fine view of the Glomme,winding at the foot of a ridge of hills, clothed with trees, and chequered with fieldsof corn and pafture; the fnaall lake Wingen forming a beautiful feature in the varie-gated landfcape.

TRAVELS