B *ix?K publications in all languages, and particularly thofe which re-
<---- - late to the antiquities and hiftory of northern Europe, the favourite
objedt of the learned proprietor’s ftudies and refearches.
He poflefles alio a fine collection of manufcripts in the Greek
and Oriental languages, and particularly thofe which belonged
to the celebrated Reiikius, for the purchafe of which he
bellows on the widow of that celebrated critic an annuity of
£■ 4°-
The library of Mr. Suhm is open every morning from nine
to eleven for the ufe and infpedtion of the men of letters, and
Undents of the univerfity.
Mr. de Suhm is juftly confidered one of the moil learned men
in Denmark, in regard to the hiftory and antiquities of the
north. He has already given to the public the following works
on thefe fubjedts, much efteemed for the profoundnefs and accuracy
of his refearches: U Upon the Origin of Nations in
general. 2. Upon the Origin of the Northern Nations. 3. Concerning
Odin, and the Mythology of the Northern Nations.
4. Upon the Emigrations of the Northern Nations, 2 vols.
5. Critical Hiftory of Denmark, 2 vols. 6. Hiftory of Denmark.
During our flay at Copenhagen, we experienced great civility
and repeated inftances of hofpitality from the Danifh nobility.
Among others we had the honour of dining feveral times with
the prime minifter Count Bernfdorf, at his villa, about four
miles from Copenhagen. The houfe, built by the late count,
Hands in. a delightful fituation on a gentle rile, Hoping towards
the
the fea, backed by a ridge of hills prettily wooded, and commanding
a plealant view of the Sound, the coaft of Sweden,
Copenhagen, and thé numerous veflels failing to and from the
capital.
In our way to the village we pafled a column of Norwegian
marble, eredted to the memory of the late Count Bernfdorf by
the peafants of his eftate, in gratitude for having received the
gift of freedom from their beloved mailer. The pillar is ornamented
with a wheat-lheaf, a fpade, and a pick-axe, the emblems
of agriculture. It contains a Latin and Daniih infcription. I
copied the former, and ihall here infert it as a memorial of the
count’s liberality, and of their gratitude :
Piis manibus Joh. Hartvici Erneili, Comitis de Bernftorff, qui arva
difcreta immunia hereditaria largiendo induftriam opes omnia impertit in
exemplum poileritati 176 7 . P . S..S. grati coloni 1783 * .
It is much to be regretted, that few perions in Denmark have
followed the example of Count Bernfdorf.
The flavery of the peafants is part of the unfortunate remains
of the feudal fyftem, which, however modified and changed in the
other parts of the Daniih conftitution, ftill leaves behind it that
* “ T o the affèâionate memory o f induftry, wealth, and every bleffing, as
John Hartvic E rneit, C ou n t o f B e rn - an example to pofterity. Eredted b y his
ftorff, who in 17 6 7 rendered'free his grateful peafants, 178 3 .”
hereditary eftates, and thereby imparted
indelible