Of the latter, one in particular is world-renowned. It is the Codex Argen-teus, a transcript of the translation of the Gospels into Gothic made by Bishop Ulphi-las in the latter part of the fourth century. The copy itself is supposed to have been executed only a century later, and hence is considered one of the rarest and most valuable manuscripts in the world. The fourth prominent edifice in Upsala is the recent addition to its University buildings, completed in 1886 at a cost of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It is a noble structure, containing about fifty lecture-rooms and halls, one of which can seat two thousand five hundred persons. Its vestibule impressed me by its fine proportions. Lighted from domes in the roof, one sees along its corridors, in both the upper and lower stories, numer- ous reproductions of classic statuary, while the broad stairways leading from the lower court have steps and columns of green marble. But, new as this particular building is, Upsala's University is much older than the earliest similar institution in America. When painted savages were roaming, undisputed masters of the land, from Maine to Mexico, and from the shores of the Atlantic to the coast of California, students were being educated here; for Sweden's University was founded fifteen years before Columbus sailed for the New World.

The II'sala Cathedral.

Where Gustavus Vasa Lies.

More ancient still are other memories connected with Up-sala. Some two miles distant from its walls rise three great mounds, known popularly as the graves of Odin, Thor and Freya. They are no doubt the burial-places of three prehistoric kings; for in each have been found the ashes of a human body, together with the bones of dogs and horses, burned with the chieftain whom they were to accompany, as he passed in spirit to the Warriors' Paradise. It is appropriate, however, that these tumuli should bear the names of the old Scandinavian gods; for we are thus reminded that a stately temple to the northern deities formerly stood upon this spot, within whose richly decorated shrine the last of pagan priests conducted worship as late as the close of the eleventh century. Accordingly, the influence of Scandinavia's old religion still pervades Upsala, as though the spirits of her outcast gods were haunting it. This was, in fact, their final resting-place. Here the last worshiper of Odin knelt in prayer. Here the last follower of Thor poured out libations to that mighty deity. Here the old Faith of Norseland made its final stand; and, falling, saw the vision of Valhalla fade forever from the northern skies. This paganism of the North was bloodthirsty and cruel; but it contained both strength and majesty, and was as virile as the Vikings whom it nerved for combat.

All its conceptions of the gods and immortality were characteristic of the men who conquered northern Europe, and in their dragon-pointed ships brought colonies to many lands. Their life in this world spelled but one word, - tory. Their future life was summed up in the word, - halla. What ideas were evolved from their imagi- nations, fired by conquest, lighted by the Aurora, inspired in summer by a midnight sun, in winter by the twilight of the gods ! Strange land; strange Faith! Stronger than Greek mythology, as snow is stronger than rain, and Boreas mightier than Zephyr. Wagner could find for his grand compositions no themes so well adapted to his genius as those which formed the songs and stories of the Scandinavian sea kings. Their heaven was called Gladsheim, or the Home of Joy. There the abode of Odin had a roof of gold, and on the walls of its innumerable halls hung, as their choicest ornaments, swords, spears, and shields. Forth from its hundreds of wide portals issued daily multitudes of heroes to contend in battle, returning in the evening to a banquet, where Odin sat as host, and the Valkyrs passed among the tables, serving foaming mead. These maidens were by day the messengers of Odin, and swift as meteors was their flight when sent out on their errands through the sky. Among them was Brunhilde, Odin's daughter; and one of their most important duties was to act as "Choosers of the Slain"; when, riding through the air, invisible, above the scene of conflict, they designated with their spears the warriors who should fall, and whom they must themselves bear off in triumph to Valhalla.