Boys of Other Countries

In Short

These travel sketches and fictionalized accounts capture the essence of childhood across diverse cultures. By focusing on young people—a post-boy in the Swedish winter, a shepherd in Iceland, and a serf in Russia—the author illustrates universal virtues like self-reliance, moral integrity, and compassion. The work has endured because it frames the vast, often intimidating world as a series of intimate, human-scale experiences. Through vivid, observational prose, it bridges the distance between the reader’s domestic comfort and the rugged, storied lives of boys in far-flung, often harsh, landscapes.

The Story

The collection begins with a journey through the Swedish winter, where the narrator survives the biting cold by learning from a young, resourceful post-boy. This sets a tone of mutual respect between the traveler and the local youth. The focus then shifts to the Middle East, where a chance encounter with an Egyptian official, the Pasha, leads the narrator to act as a secret courier for the man's son, demonstrating the trust placed in the young to navigate political dangers.

The narrative deepens with the story of Jon, an Icelandic boy living a stark, isolated life in the shadow of mountains and volcanoes. Jon’s story follows his transition from a solitary shepherd, who finds companionship in his flock and intellectual stimulation in books, to a young man who becomes a vital guide for an English traveler. When Jon’s father falls gravely ill, the boy takes on the mantle of responsibility, embodying the strength necessary to protect his family. Years later, his loyalty is rewarded when he reconnects with his former mentor, cementing a bond that transcends borders.

In other segments, the author explores the quiet lives of mountain herd-boys who balance their labor with song and study, and the harrowing struggle of Sasha, a young Russian serf. Sasha’s arc is particularly poignant; he saves his master from a violent robbery, an act that bridges the chasm between their classes. Through his own determination and his grandfather’s guidance, Sasha eventually secures his freedom, returning home to his village not as a servant, but as a man who has successfully navigated the path to liberty.

The book concludes with a pivot toward the author's own direct observations of nature and travel. He chronicles his peculiar, affectionate relationships with animals—a vain but charming peacock and a companionable toad—before describing a challenging journey through a lawless region of Southern California. In these final sketches, the narrator faces the reality of danger, including a brush with highwaymen, but maintains his resolve. Each story serves to prove that whether one is a boy in a frozen wasteland or a traveler in the desert, the quality of one's character remains the primary tool for surviving and flourishing in a world that is as indifferent as it is beautiful.

How It Unfolds

The Swedish winter The narrator braves the sub-zero temperatures of Norrland to reach Lapland, finding shelter and warmth through the ingenuity of a young post-boy. This survival experience highlights the practical, life-saving wisdom children often possess in extreme environments.

The Egyptian commission During a sojourn in Khartoum, the narrator accepts a sensitive mission from a high-ranking official to deliver secret letters. This encounter underscores the capacity of the young and the stranger to act as conduits for justice and family reunion.

Jon’s Icelandic education The narrative explores the daily life of a shepherd boy who, despite his isolation, pursues a rigorous intellectual life. His maturity is tested by the arrival of an English traveler and the eventual, devastating illness of his father.

The resolution in Iceland After years of growth and hard work, Jon reunites with his mentor, signaling a transition into adulthood. He proves that he has successfully shouldered the heavy responsibilities placed upon him by his father.

The emancipation of Sasha Sasha, a young serf, earns the gratitude of his master through a brave rescue, leading to a profound shift in his social status. He returns to his family to share the gift of legal freedom, honoring his grandfather’s long-held hope.

Observations of nature and travel The collection closes with intimate portraits of animals and a final, perilous journey through Southern California. These accounts reinforce the author’s belief that curiosity and kindness are essential companions for any traveler.

The People

The central figures are defined by their capacity for growth under pressure. Lars, the young Swedish post-boy, is a master of survival; he possesses the calm authority required to keep his passenger alive in a blizzard. Jon of Iceland is perhaps the most fully realized character, moving from a lonely, imaginative child to a responsible young man who earns the respect of both his family and the world. His father, Sigurd, represents the weight of tradition and the quiet, stoic sacrifice of the previous generation. Sasha, the young Russian serf, represents the transition of an entire social class. His motivation is not merely survival, but the reclamation of dignity for his lineage. Finally, the narrator acts as a reflective lens; he is a man who seeks out the "other" not to judge, but to document the inherent nobility found in the lives of those he meets.

In Its Own Voice

"I have found many instances among other races, and in other climates, of youthful courage, and self-reliance, and strength of character, some of which I propose to relate to you."

The author introduces his purpose, emphasizing that the virtues of maturity are often found long before adulthood.

"The sheep became Jon’s companions, in the absence of human ones; he talked to them so much during the lonely days that it finally seemed as if they understood a great deal of his speech."

This passage captures the profound loneliness and the imaginative spirit of the Icelandic shepherd.

"I have never seen a more hypocritical assumption of innocence and indifference in any human being."

The author remarks on the clever, human-like behavior of a pet peacock caught in the act of raiding a garden.

What It's Really About

The book is a meditation on the universal nature of the human spirit, specifically how it manifests in the young. It argues that character is not a product of one's geography or social status, but of one's ability to face adversity with honesty. The stories pose a quiet challenge: how does a person retain their integrity when the world demands their labor or obedience? By presenting boys in vastly different circumstances—from the feudal structures of Russia to the desolate plains of Iceland—the author suggests that the "key-flower" of a successful life is the persistence of one's own identity and the willingness to help others, regardless of the potential for reward.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy classic, observational travel literature will find this book deeply rewarding. It reads like a gentle, fireside conversation with a seasoned traveler who has seen the world but remains most impressed by the small, quiet acts of children. The prose is precise and warm, lacking the artifice of modern juvenile fiction. It offers a window into a vanished world of mid-19th-century geography—from the horse-drawn post-routes of Sweden to the serfdom of Russia—that is historically fascinating.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the book's period attitudes. The author writes from a nineteenth-century perspective, viewing these "other countries" with a mix of curiosity and inherent Western assumptions about progress and civilization. Some readers may find the pacing slow, as the book favors reflection over high-speed action. Additionally, the casual references to practices like bloodletting for fever or the rigid class distinctions of the time reflect the era's limitations. Yet, for those who value the humanity of the story over the perfection of the setting, the book leaves a lasting impression: a reminder that the world is vast and strange, yet connected by the simple, enduring courage of the young.