markable rarities, we were shewn the gene chat rative organs of the Ostrich and Rumaceras; the Drace–rdians, 10 st large as a common Bar; the fetus of a Fiotienta; specimens of the Fena typhonic, and Lane paradcza, from the embryo to the perfect state of the animal; Laceria Am tuinensis, considered a great rarity; Tenomous Serpents of America, the Indies, and South Seas, remarkable for the flatness of their heads; Flying Fishes of the Red Sea Worms, Scorpions. and other insects in great number; bones, teeth, &c. of Elephants; and weapons, dresses, and idols of the Islands of Australasia. Around the room are ranged specimens of greater magnitude; as, the heads of the Cape Buffalo; the Hippopotamus, believed to be the Behemoth of sacred Scripture; the horns of various animals, some of astonishing size, of the Rein-deer, Elk, &c.

The ACADEMY OF BELLES LETTRES was much patronized by Gustavus the Third; who not only endowed it with a fund for prizes, but also for allowing premiums to several of its members. Its province extends to Foreign Literature and Classical Antiquities. The number of its members is limited to fifty. It was founded in 1753, by Queen Louisa Ulrica. Within these few years, it has lost many men of great merit; as, Dalin, Lagerbring, D'Ihre, Potberg, and De Berch.

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CHAP. Its secretary is Mr. Tileman, Royal Antiquarian. This Academy has published several volumes of Memoirs, in Swedish. It possesses a beautiful collection of medals.

The third, the SWEDISH ACADEMY, or the Academy of Eighteen, is so called from the number of its members. It was instituted for the cultivation of the Swedish language, by Gustavus the Third, in 1786. Its particular aim is to cultivate, to purify, and to enrich the Swedish language. It composes the eulogies of Kings, noblemen, and private men who have been celebrated. It has published many volumes, on these and other subjects. Gustavus the Third neglected nothing that might conduce to its welfare. Since the year 1792, it has enjoyed the exclusive privilege of publishing the Swedish Gazette. Its secretary is Mr. Rosenstein, late preceptor of Gustavus the Fourth. It is usual, upon the death of one of its members, to deliver a funeral oration, illustrating his merits, enumerating his writings, and pronouncing his eulogium. This ceremony is always attended by the Academicians in their full dress, by the members of the Royal Family, the Nobles and Gentry of Stockholm, and Foreigners admitted with tickets distributed by the members of the Academy. We were present upon one of these

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occasions, Saturday, November 23, when the sitting CHAP. was attended with a great degree of grandeur. It was upon the death of Mr. Stenhammar. We arrived in the evening, and found the chamber of the Academy illuminated by a profusion of candles suspended in heavy chandeliers of cut glass. Upon the right-hand, as we entered, in boxes affixed to the wall, sate the King and his Court; his Majesty, with the male part of his suite of attendants, being in one of the boxes; and the Duchess of Sudermania, with her maids of honour, in the other. The seats on the opposite side were filled with Noblemen, Ambassadors, Peeresses, and Foreigners of distinction. In the middle of the assembly, and below the King's box, was a long table, at which were placed the members of the Academy. The rest of the apartment was crowded by military officers and the sons of the principal families of Stockholm, all in full dress or in uniform. The business of the sitting opened with a Congratulatory Poem addressed to the King, by Mr. Leopold, the most celebrated of the Swedish Poets, upon the birth of the young Prince; containing, as may be easily supposed, little more than the most extravagant adulation, disposed into metre and rhyme. After this had been read, a new member, Count Fleming, was

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CHAP. introduced, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Stenhammar, and to pronounce the funeral oration'. This was read by the Count, from a manuscript, in the Swedish language, written in a terse and elegant style, with great uniformity of diction, but highly polished; and it gave general satisfaction. The reading lasted a considerable time. When it was over, his Majesty advanced towards the Duchess of Sudermania, and kissed her before all the company present; a ceremony which, as was before remarked, very generally attends the breaking up of assemblies in Sweden.

The ACADEMY OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE was founded in 1735, by Count Tessin. It was particularly protected by Gustavus the Third, who, in 1783, enlarged and perfected the plan of its establishment by new regulations. It publishes every year an exposition of its works, and distributes prizes among its pupils. Of this Academy, Mr. Fredenheim is President, and

(1) Acerbi has mentioned a Swedish bon-mot, upon the occasion of Count Fleming's being introduced as the new member of the Academy of Eighteen; which will shew the natural sprightliness and wit of the Swedes, notwithstanding the character of gravity often imputed to them. When the Count took his seat among the Academicians, a wag observed that their number now amounted exactly to 170. How so?' it was asked. 'Because,' replied he, when a cipher is added to the number seventeen, the amount is 170.'-See Acerbi's Travels, vol. I. p. 170. Lond. 1802.

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Mr. Pasch Director; the first, Intendant of the CHAP. King's Buildings; the second, Keeper of the King's Pictures. Among its members, it boasts of the celebrated Sergell, one of the greatest sculptors in Europe. The other most distinguished members of this Academy are, Mr. Breda, the portrait-painter; Mr. Templeman, the Secretary, and Architect to the King; Mr. Masrelier, Painter to the King; the famous Despres, scene-painter, &c.; the two Martins, one a landscape painter, the other an engraver and painter in water-colours. It has lost Mr. Gillberg, who produced the medals which compose the medallic history of Gustavus the Third.

The ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC was founded in 1772, by Gustavus the Third. The Opera is annexed to its establishment. It has produced works of great merit, in poetry, music, and scenery for example, the famous opera of Gustavus Vasa, which was brought out with unequalled splendour and perfection. The music of its pieces is principally composed by Uttini, an Italian; and by Vogler and Kraus, who are Germans.

The PATRIOTIC SOCIETY began to assemble in 1767, and is numerous as to its members. It is chiefly occupied in the science of Economy, as applied to the kingdom: it publishes annually