on which the diviiion of the territory was founded. He laughed
very heartily at the fabulous account which I recited to him of
that matter.
I have already obferved, that we no longer derived any benefit
from maps, but were left wholly to our own refources. The beft
maps of Sweden are thole publifhed by Baron Hermelin: and
•when it is confidered that thefe have been executed at the expence,
and by the capacity and induftry of an individual, it is im-
poffible to withhold the tribute of praife due to the diftinguifhed
zeal of his patriotifm. Baron Hermelin employs the greateft part
o f his yearly income, which is very confiderable, in the promotion
of the geography, the natural hiftory, and a knowledge of the
political ftate of Sweden. He fends young men of genius to different
parts of the kingdom to take geographical furveys, to try
experiments, make obfervations in mineralogy, and to colled! various
ftatiftical accounts. From their fketches of particular diftricts
he forms his maps of the different divifions of Sweden. It is however
to be obferved, that thefe geographical delineations, though
wonderfully exadt for the work of an individual, derive their dif-
tindtion and merit only from a comparifon with others lefs cor-
redt. In fact, they may be regarded as the only maps of Sweden
that have yet been publifhed ; and what is more, they have been
completed folely at that gentleman’s own expence, and . without
any afliftance from government. Sweden, Finland, and Lapland,
have not yet been furveyed with that corredtnefs which prevails in
the geographical reprefentations of France, of Britain, and other
countries;
countries; every diftridt and corner of which have been meafured,
and drawn with the greateft accuracy and precifion. Baron Her-
melin’s maps are not compofed with all the rigour of trigonometry
; they are formed from views by the eye, in the fame manner
as the fketches of ordinary furveyors or draughtfmen, w ho afcend
to the top of a particular mountain, and thence obtain a profpedt
of the circumjacent country from which they make their drawings.
Befides this, the natives are confulted, who furnifh accounts
of different matters within their knowledge, and particularly of
the names o f hills,'rivers, towns, and other objedts. Lapland, if
we comprehend under it all thofe parts fo named in the wide extent
belonging to Sweden, Denmark, and Ruffia, is a country
o f fuch immenfe fpace, that it would be too great an enterprize
to attempt making an accurate meafurement of even the frontiers
o f its different diftridts. Moreover, the fummer in that climate
is fo fhort, the fatigue of penetrating through its moraifes and
furmounting other obftacles fo great, and the operations of a ju ft
trigonometrical furyey would require fuch a length of time and
number of perfons, that there is but little hope of its being foon,
or ever accomplifhed. As to the winter feafon, the moft proper
for travelling in thofe northern and uncultivated countries, it involves
the difadvantage of obfcurity and darknefs ; and the fnow
every where covering the furface of the earth, rivers, and lakes,
to the depth of feveral yards, and prefenting in all places an uniformity
of appearance, makes it impoflible for the geographer to
difcriminate land from water.
V o l . II. L W ith