_May 12, 1732._
Having received my instructions from the Royal Academy of Sciences, with
a passport from the Government, and having prepared every thing
necessary for my journey, I set out immediately at eleven o'clock, from
this place (Upsal), carrying with me nothing but what was absolutely
necessary, in order that I might not be detained or interrupted, in case
of not being able always to procure a horse, but might occasionally
pursue my way on foot. As the summer seemed to be fast advancing, I
thought it not advisable to lose time by the way, nor to stray far from
the road, in the early part of the tour, but only to observe attentively
what readily presented itself, that I might reach Lapland with all
possible dispatch.
_May 13._
By eleven o'clock I arrived at Gefle, where I was obliged to stay all
that day, for it was evening before I received from the governor of the
province (of Gestrickland) the requisite passport, which was accompanied
by orders to all the public officers in his district to give me all
requisite assistance to penetrate, if possible, into Asila Lapmark.
_May 14._
Owing to the above delay, and my attending morning service the next day
at Gefle church, I could not quit that place till one o'clock.
Proceeding without stopping to Hudwickswald, I there merely spoke a few
words to Mr. Broman the clergyman, and pursued my way to Knorby Knylen,
the highest mountain in Medelpad, from whence I went to Sundswall, and
further. In my way I examined a cave formed by nature in a very hard
rocky mountain, formerly a retreat for thieves and highwaymen.
I was so unfortunate, in my journey through Medelpad, as not to meet
with a single horse that did not tumble with me several times, in
consequence of which I was at one time so severely hurt as to be
scarcely able to remount. Having already collected together a number of
stones and minerals, which were no less burthensome than unnecessary to
carry along with me further, I rode to Hernosand, where I left these
incumbrances. I did not, however, stay there above two hours.
_May 20._
At length I reached the famous mountain of Skula in Angermanland, at the
very top of which is a large grotto, so neatly formed by nature that
art could scarcely have excelled it. This grotto was represented to me
as quite inaccessible, and it was said that not more than two or three
persons had ever been there; nor was it without great difficulty that I
prevailed on two men to accompany me, every body deeming the project
impracticable. As we climbed up towards it, we sometimes crept forwards,
sometimes slid back again. Now we mounted a considerable way by catching
hold of branches and roots of trees, and then, meeting with steep
inaccessible rocks, were obliged to turn back. After following one of my
guides for about two hours, I thought the other seemed to make more
progress; which induced me to go after the latter. I was scarcely got
two ells out of my former path, than the man whose track I had left
loosened a large stone with his foot, which fell on the very spot I had
quitted, with such violence, that I was surrounded by fire and smoke,
and should certainly, but for the protecting hand of Providence, have
been crushed to pieces. We reached the grotto at length, after much
labour and trouble, and descended the mountain with much greater
facility. Laying hold of the tops of spruce firs which grew close to the
rocks, we slid down upon them, dragging them after us down the
precipices.
_May 23._