than to undergo a mere examination. Thefe things were frequently
mentioned to me, as foon as the firft civilities o f reception
had paded, and I confidered it as a premonition to myfelf,
and did not fail to take the hint, as my readers will readily conceive
and believe, from the paucity o f flatiflical fubjedts that I
have touched on, in companion with the various and prccife details
o f Mr. Coxe. This hint, which I took myfelf, I throw out
for the benefit o f future travellers.
T h e Hate o f Sweden, and particularly that o f the capital, has
left this general impreffion on my mind, that a greater progrefs
has been made in the fciences and arts, both liberal and mechanical,
by the Swedes, than by any other nation ftruggling with
equal difadvantages o f foil and climate, and labouring under the
difcouragement o f internal convulfions and external aggreffions,
from proud, powerful, and overbearing neighbours. Their commerce,
all things confidered, and their manufa¿lures are in a
flourifhing Hate. T he fpirit o f the people, under various changes
unfavourable to liberty, remains yet unbroken. The government
is Hill obliged in fome degree to refpeft the public opinion. There
is much regard paid to the natural claims o f individuals ; juflice
is tempered with mercy, and great attention is fhewn in their
hofpitals and other inflitutions to the fituation o f the poor and
helplefs. From the influence o f the court among a quick, lively*
and aiflive race o f men, private intrigue and cabal have, to a great
degree, crept into every department o f fociety; and this is what I
find the greatefl fubjeit o f blame, or o f regret, in ipeaking o f that
country.
country. T he refources o f a {late are chiefly three; population,
revenue, and territory. T h e firft two are not confiderable in
Sweden ; the laft is great'in extent, though not fo in its immediate
value: but the vail extent o f territory itfelf is an objedt o f
importance. Land and feas, however flerile and rude, con-
ilantly become more fertile and ufeful, as the courfe o f fcience
and art advances— as the French fay, “ Toujours va la terre au-
“ bon.” Art fubdues natural difficulties and difadvantages, and
finds new ufes for materials o f every defcription : and, finally, it
may be juftly obferved that, in the very rudenefs o f the natural
elements, and in their poverty, the Swedes have a pledge and
feeurity for civil freedom and political independence.
It is deemed a very great calamity in Sweden, and one not left
heavy *ban a bad harveft, i f the winter be fuch as to prevent the
ufe o f fledges, becaufe it is by means o f thefe that bulky commodities,
namely, iron, wood, grain, and other articles, are conveyed
from one place to another. Winters, however, fo mild that
fledges cannot be ufed, fometimes will happen; then the communication
is limited, and commercial intercourfe confined : for the
highways are by no means fufficient for the purpofes o f travelling
and carrying goods; whereas, with a fledge you may proceed on
the fnow, through forefls and marfhes, acrofs rivers and lakes*
without any impediment or interruption. It is on account o f
this facility of tranfporting merchandize over the ice, that all the
great fairs in Sweden and Finland are held in the winter feafon.
Nor is it an uncommon thing for the peafants to undertake journeys,