The fine, sparkling and delicious water here is completely dependent on the snow. Snow preserves water as salt preserves meat. It is obvious that the longer water stands in the heat the more it spoils, and vice versa in the cold. The Lapps treasure this water as if it were the most delicate wine. I have seen people in Stockholm who, following the Portuguese fashion, are beginning to drink water, but there is a difference as regards both the water and the heat. Here it tastes extraordinarily delicious. When I was sailing in Norway I noted with amusement how my Lapp servant took water from the sea with a scoop as soon as he got hot. He was going to drink it in his usual manner but, of course, he got salt water instead of fresh. The Lapps always carry a large ladle with them with which, as soon as they get dry and hot, they drink water to refresh themselves without any fear of becoming ill. I did the same thing. And if this splendid water did not exist, no one could travel here – indeed, it would scarcely be possible to live here since both Bacchus and Ceres are unknown; Venus, however, is not affected by the cold. Most rivers and springs have their origin in the mountain snow-water and, therefore, when it is warm in the mountains the rivers run to twice or even three times their usual size.