but in 1448 was rebuilt with ftone by Chriftian the Firft.
Its fituation is very ftrong : it contains a garrifon of a hundred
men. From its fummit we commanded a view of the Gotha
winding at the feet of the moft barren rocks.
During the few days which I paifed at Gotheborg, in my fecond
excurfion to Sweden, I obtained the following information concerning
the herring fiihery, which forms a very important part
of the trade carried on at Gotheborg, and has been the occafion
of confiderably increaling the population of the town.
The herrings frequent thefe coafts of Sweden in the month
of November, when the fiihery begins, and though it continues
fcarcely three weeks, yet fupplies during that ihort fpace
to the fiihermen of Gotheborg about 600,000 barrels.
As the coafts in thefe parts are extremely rocky, and the fea
is fprinkled with innumerable iilands, the way of catching the
herrings is as follows: Eight boats, manned each with two or
three fiihermen, draw one large net,enclofing a ihoal of herrings,
into a creek or fmall bay, and the fiih are ihovelled on the ihore
into confiderable heaps. Of the 600,000 barrels caught in this
manner 200,000 are falted, and from the remainder train oil is.
extrailed. Fifteen barrels of herrings yield one of oil, which
is principally exported to Holland and Spain.
A barrel of herrings fells, upon an average, for 1 s. 3 d. and when,
falted from 8r. to iox. Thefe fiih are not ib fine as thofe caught
and cured by the Dutch, but being much cheaper,, are preferred by
the Ruffians and Poles. The felt is procured from Spain and one
barrel
barrel of fait cures three barrels of herrings. Upon an average,
we may eilimate the exportation of falted herrings at 150,000
barrels, and the inland confumption of Sweden at 50,000.
The fortifications of Gotheborg are fo weak, and its garrifon
in general fo fmall, that in 1788 it muil, have fallen into the
hands, of the Danes, who, under the pretence of an alliance with
Ruffia, attacked the Swedes, and marched from Norway to the
gates of Gotheborg, if the foreign powers had not interfered.
The king of Sweden hurried from Dalecarlia, where he was
animating the natives to arm in his defence, to Carliladt. There
he was met by Mr. Elliot, the Engliih miniiler at the court of
-Denmark. Guftavus having accepted the mediation of England,
Prulfia, and the Hague, Mr. Elliot undertook to flop the further
progrefs of the Daniih army; an event which he fortunately ac-
complilhed at the very inftant the Daniih troops Were taking
pofteifion of Bohus, and were within a few hours march of Gotheborg.
Mean while the king repaired to Gotheborg, arrived at
the gates fo unexpectedly, and at fo late an hour, that he had the
greateft difficulty in gaining admiifion j and the Daniih herald,
who the next morning fummoned the town to furrender, was
furprifed on being, introduced to the king, and informed by his
majefty, that the citizens would defend their ramparts to the la£t
extremity. But neither the prefence or courage of Guftavus,
who infufed new fpirit into the inhabitants, could have faved
Gotheborg, if Mr. Elliot had not flopped the progrefs of
the Daniih army. The firft armiftice, concluded under the mediation
and guarantee of the Engliih miniiler, was only for eight
days, but was afterwards prolonged for a month, when he figned
V ol.. III.. r 3 tlla