II. tion he afforded was given without the least CHAP. solicitation on our part, it may perhaps be worth attending to. The most important part of these papers, he said, as written by Gustavus the Third, contains the History of his own Times; composed with a depth of political knowledge, and most profound reflection, such as might be expected from his uncommon talents and observation. This History, together with the State Papers necessary for its illustration, probably make up the principal part of this mysterious deposit, which has excited so much curiosity. The state of literature in Sweden has been less State of promising since the death of Linnæus than that of any other country in Europe. In the sciences, however, Chemistry, in spite of every obstacle to which it has been opposed, in a country wanting many of the conveniences necessary for its progress, and all the patronage essential to its encouragement, has made rapid advances. The chemical discoveries of the Swedes, in all their Universities', redound greatly to their honour. (2) Witness the surprising talents of Berzelius; himself a host, filling all Europe with admiration of his great abilities, and gratitude for the importance and profundity of his researches. Witness also the discoveries made by his pupil, Arfvedson. Not to omit a tribute due to the names of Ekeberg of Upsala, Gahn of Fahlun, Hisinger, Hielm of Stockholm, and many others. (3) The name of the University of Abo would hardly have been known in the rest of Europe, but for the chemical discoveries of Gadolin. Literature. CHAP. Yet the science of Mineralogy, connected as it is II. master. with Chemistry, is hardly anywhere at a lower ebb than in Sweden: and Geology may be considered as not having yet been introduced into that country; since we cannot bestow the name of Geology upon those testimonies of its presence which the Swedes sometimes exhibit under the names of Geological Cabinets. Botany, moreover, seemed to us to be fast declining; as if all its blossoms had drooped and died with its great Other branches of knowledge appeared to be involved in the same fate. History, Metaphysics, Laws, Languages, Music, the Belles Lettres, were only known as so many appellations to which there was nothing applicable. Deplorable The Fine Arts, once flourishing in this metropolis, languished for want of encouragement. Add to all this, a gloomy prospect in the State, seeming to foretell the bursting of a storm, which was gathering fast around the throne; public finances annihilated; national credit extinct; taxes accumulating; agriculture neglected; manufactures ruined; insurrections ripe in every quarter; the poor oppressed and murmuring; the liberty of the press banished; projects, the most absurd, bursting, like bubbles, as fast as they were formed-such was, at this moment, the abject and deplorable state of this land of condition of the Country. II. heroism, honesty, and benevolence. It seemed CHAP. to every reflecting mind as if Sweden awaited one of those tremendous moral revolutions, which, by tearing to atoms the constitution of the country, offers, amidst its ruins, the materials of a more solid structure. The necessity of convoking the Diet was becoming every day more and more apparent; yet the courtiers, twelve or thirteen of whom surrounded the throne, being averse from such a measure, as justly alarmed at the consequences of an inquiry into the state of public affairs, were using all their influence to prevent it, by persuading the King to disregard the agitation which was evidently gathering force in every quarter of his kingdom. Such was the abject state of the paper currency, that Bank-notes were in circulation of the nominal value of eight-pence, English; but which were considered as literally worth nothing; no one being willing to take them. The commerce of the country, of course, experienced a lamentable check; and corn, of which the importation annually cost three millions of dollars, became woefully scarce. In this deplorable condition of things, the State candle was burning at both ends. The regulations made to prevent the consumption of coffee and of spirits were wholly ineffectual, and con CHAP. stantly evaded. There seemed to be no police whatever; nor any assize of bread; the difference of one half prevailing in the price of the same article in different parts of the same town. One hundred rix-dollars had been paid in the course of the last year for a single load of hay; peasants being actually compelled to kill their cattle, or to sell them for almost nothing, or to feed them with the straw from the tops of their houses. We often met the young King in his walks through the streets: it was a practice in which he frequently indulged; going about in the most private manner, wrapped in a drab great coat, and attended only by a single officer, his Master of the Horse. It was understood to be his wish that he should pass without notice, as it would be troublesome to him to be continually bowing to all who might make their obeisance. But as Englishmen, who had experienced in every part of his kingdom the most unbounded hospitality, and were instigated only by a desire to testify the regard we felt for a country of which he was the Sovereign, we could not forego the satisfaction of taking off our hats, whenever he approached; and, notwithstanding what was before urged with regard to his conduct towards our countrymen, it was pleasing to observe that II. upon these occasions he always returned our CHAP. salute in the most gracious manner. Public ment. The places of Public Amusement in this city Places of are not numerous: the principal are, the OPERA AmuseHOUSE, already noticed; the THEATRE, or, as it is here called, Dramatiska; and the VAUXHALL, or Gardens of Promenade. The building of the Opera House took place between the years 1776 and 1782. This edifice is two hundred and ten Swedish feet in length, by one hundred and fifty in breadth; and it is fifty-seven feet in height. The front is decorated with columns and pilasters of the Corinthian order. It constitutes the chief ornament of the Nordermalm Square, being opposite to the Palace of the Princess Royal. The Theatre is situate in the Old Arsenal: it was built in 1792, upon the demolition of the Théatre Française, which was taken down in the alterations made to lay open the front of the Royal Palace'. In this theatre are represented the Swedish tragedies, comedies, and farces; the best of which are quite below mediocrity. In comedy, however, the Swedes have some excellent actors. We saw one, whose name we do not recollect, but he reminded us forcibly of our (1) The old French Theatre is now changed into a set of ante-rooms belonging to this building. |