XX
IV. CONVEYANCES.
of which are posted up in the carriages, to allow time (generally
only Y4 hr.) for meals.
Posting (Norw. Skyds, Sw. Skjuts; pronounced shoss or shiiss
in each case). Sweden is so well provided with railways and
steamboats that travelling by road is rare except in the Norrland
(RR. 65, 66), but in Norway there are stili immense tracts of country
where driving is the only means of communication. The new high-
roads, maintained by government, are generally good, and the older
roads are being improved; but some of the latter are very rough,
with sudden ups and downs, reminding one of a switchback railway.
The Skydsstationer (pron. stasho'ner; which are usually inns
also, see p. xxvi), or farm-houses whose proprietors are bound to
supply travellers with horses whenever required, are situated at
intervals of 6-15 Engl. M. If the stage is a short one and the horse
good, the traveller may often drive on to the next station on getting
leave from the station-master.
Those 'stations' where the proprietor (Stations-Holder or Skyds-
Skaffer) is bound to have several horses always in readiness, and
is liable to a fine if he keeps the traveller waiting for more than
1/4"1/2nr,i are called Faste Stationer (Le. 'fixed stations', where
a 'fixed' number of horses are in readiness), or usually by English
travellers 'fast stations'. Another class of stations, now rare, except
in little frequented districts, is the Tilsigelse-Stationer (or Skifter),
the owners of which are bound to procure horses on getting notice
or 'Tilsigelse' (from tilsige, 'to teli to', 'send to'). At these stations,
justly called 'slow' by English travellers by way of antithesis to the
'fast', the charges are very low, but the traveller may often be kept
waiting for hours. These delays are obviated by sending Forbud
('previous message') to stations of this class, and the same remark
applies to 'slow' boat-stations. The 'Forbud' must arrive at least
three hours before the time at which horses are required, or better
on the previous day, and should therefore be dispatched two or
three days beforehand. It is usually sent by letter or post-card, or
by any one preceding the traveller on the same route t. Travellers
pressed for time may also with advantage send 'Forbud' to 'fast'
stations. — Those who wish to make an early start should invariably
order the skyds the previous day ; in country-inns the Opvartningspige
(p. xxv) will take the order. Delay on the journey may be avoided
by informing the 'Gut' before arriving at a station that the trav¬
eller intends to proceed at once ('jeg vii strax reise videre'). —Every
station-master is bound to keep a Dagbog (Skydsbog) or day-book,
t The Forbudseddel, or message, may be expressed as follows: —
Paa Skydsskiftet (. . . name the station) bestilles en Hest (to Hesle, etc.)
med Kariol (Karioler) eller Stolkjcerre (Stolkjcerrer) Mandagen den 20. Juli,
Formiddagen (Eftermiddagen) Klokken et(to. tre, eia.). Paasamme Tid varm
Frokosl (or Middagsmad) for en Person (lo, tre Persone/-).
Date & Place. Signature.
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