B °X K ^^ver ^ace> which fhe received by order of his majefty. From
^ h e r journey to court, and the prefents there received, ihe has
derived great confideration among the peafants of this neighbourhood.
In general the peafants of Dalecarlia, who have been
always remarkable for their loyalty, were much flattered with
the mark of diftindtion paid to their province; and in the late
danger which threatened Sweden from the Ruffian war, and
.the invaiion of the Danes, (1788) were the foremoft in proving
their attachment, and in offering their fervices.
C H A P .
C H A P . X.
Dalecarlia-—Memorials of Gufiavus Vafa-—Oernetz— Copper Mine
of F.ahlun— CataraSl of the Dahl— Gefle— Loefjla— Iron Mine of
Danemcra— Paf'age from Grifleham to Abo— Fortrefs of Svea-
borg.
f I 4 H E province of Dalecarlia may be called the claffical
■-*- ground of Sweden, being full o f memorials, which indicate
the veneration of the natives for the memory of their deliverer,
Guftavus Vafa, the greateft man whom Sweden, fertile in great
men, ever produced, if we eftimate the greatnefs of his aftions
by the fmallnefs of the means.
It was not without infinite pleafure that I recognized, during
this day’s journey, the ancient filver mine, in which this father
of his country lay concealed, and in which he performed the
work of a common miner with fuch perfeverance and alacrity,
expecting the lucky moment when he might emerge from his
obfcurity.
As I flood on the brink of the mine, I figured to myfelf the
Swediih patriot, exciting by the moft animated expreffions and
geftures the Dalecarlian mountaineers to deeds of glory, and
C c 2 I - iffuing