the midnight sun
The Bourgeois , learning their intentions , said he would accompany them , as he too owed a debt of courtesy to the noble lady and her niece Amélie , which he would discharge at the same time . The three gentlemen walked gravely on , in pleasant conversation . The clearness of the moonlit night threw the beautiful landscape , with its strongly accentuated features , into contrasts of light and shade to which the pencil of Rembrandt alone could have done justice . Herr Kalm was enthusiastic in his admiration , -- moonlight over Drachenfels on the Rhine , or the midnight sun peering over the Gulf of Bothnia , reminded him of something similar , but of nothing so grand on the whole as the matchless scene visible from Cape Diamond -- worthy of its name . Lady de Tilly received her visitors with the gracious courtesy habitual to her . She especially appreciated the visit from the Bourgeois , who so rarely honored the houses of his friends by his welcome presence . As for His Excellency , she remarked , smiling , it was his official duty to represent the politeness of France to the ladies of the Colony , while Herr Kalm , representing the science of Europe , ought to be honored in every house he chose to visit , -- she certainly esteemed the honor of his presence in her own .