  The $^{55}$Mn$(d,n)^{56}$Fe differential cross section is measured at $E_d=7$
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>The $^{56}$Fe level density obtained from neutron evaporation spectra is
compared to the level density extracted from the
$^{57}$Fe$(^3$He,$\alpha\gamma)^{56}$Fe reaction by the Oslo-type technique.
Good agreement is found between the level densities determined by the two
methods. With the level density function obtained from the neutron evaporation
spectra, the $^{56}$Fe $\gamma$-strength function is also determined from the
first-generation $\gamma$ matrix of the Oslo experiment. The good agreement
between the past and present results for the $\gamma$-strength function
supports the validity of both methods and is consistent with the low-energy
enhancement of the $\gamma$ strength below $\sim 4$ MeV first discovered by the
Oslo method in iron and molybdenum isotopes.
