His first venture was a volume of poems which appeared in 1866 and was not successful.

During the four following years he devoted himself almost exclusively to journalism, working hard and without much reward, but acquiring the pen of a ready writer and obtaining command of a style which has proved serviceable in his subsequent career.

In 1870 he published "The Visionary,"-- "Den Fremsynte"-- of which a translation is now, for the first time, offered to English readers.

In the following year he revisited Nordland and travelled into Finmark.

Having obtained a small travelling pension from the Government, immediately after his journey to Nordland, he sought the greatest contrast he could find in Europe to the scenes of his childhood and started for Rome.