[52] In Tuneld's Geography, I am told, is the following account of this church: "The parish church of Lulea is regarded as the oldest in Westbothnia, having been built in the very earliest ages of Christianity, and was very famous while the catholic religion prevailed in Sweden. It contains a remarkable old altar-piece, the gilding of which cost 2408 ducats. In the vestry a copy of the canonical law, in seven volumes folio, is still preserved."
A quarter of a mile to the north of the town is a mineral well, the water of which the dean and some other persons had used medicinally. The dean, who was gouty, had, in consequence of drinking this water, formed some chalk-stones. The well is situated in a steep mossy and marshy bank. Its water throws up sand as it rises, looks clear, ferments in a glass, with an iridescent appearance in the sunshine. It has a slight taste of vitriol, but is smooth in drinking. When shaken, it emitted a smell like that of gun-powder. A solution of galls turned it reddish, but the mixture did not stain white paper. Blue paper is not affected by this water. It deposits a great quantity of ochre, and the surface bears a silvery film.
This day and the two preceding, indeed every day since the 18th, had been bright, warm, and for the most part calm. The meadows were still fine and beautiful in their aspect, and every thing conspired to favour the health and pleasure of the beholder. If the summer be indeed shorter here than in any other part of the world, it must be allowed, at the same time, to be no where more delightful. I was never in my life in better health than at present.
The meadows in this neighbourhood abound with an arborescent willow, whose leaves are like those of an _Alaternus_, or a laurel. (_Salix phylicifolia_, _Engl. Bot. t. 1958_. _Fl. Lapp. n. 351. t. 8. f. d_). It is remarkable for the undulations, or flexures, between the serratures of the leaf.
The use of milk among the inhabitants of Westbothnia is very great; and the following are the various forms in which it serves them for food:
1. Fresh, of which a great deal is taken in the course of the day.
3. Fresh boiled, and coagulated with beer, which is called _ölost_.
4. Sour milk, deprived of its cream, and capable of being cut.