as the sermon was finished the clergyman went out; psalms began, and the service concluded.' pp. 99, 100.

After a dissertation on the Swedish language, for which a six weeks stay in the country must have eminently qualified him, Dr. Thomson introduces two really interesting political chapters on the character and conduct of Gustavus Adolphus, and on the late revolution. A great part of this information, we must however observe, our author has only the honour of translating or transcribing.

Whatever be the opinion formed of the Swedish revolution in England, it appears that the well-informed in Sweden unanimously esteem it the best step that could have been taken under existing circumstances. The character of Gustavus IV. was an incongruous mixture of opposite qualities,-inflexible obstinacy and pusillanimous cowardice-every virtue which could make a private man beloved in society, and every failing which could incapacitate a monarch from benefitting his country-a reverence for religion, esteemed a sufficient proof of madness to those who were incapable of appreciating its worth, and an unbounded ambition, equally inexplicable without the supposition of insanity, to those who respected his religious principles. His precipitation and want of resolution had embroiled him with almost all the powers in Europe, while the injudicious manner in which he had attempted to oppose the progress of the Russians in Finland, had annihilated the greater part of the Swedish army.

The army of the west had been equally unsuccessful in Norway, and the Norwegians had actually invaded Sweden. The Swedish supplementary army of 30,000 men had been nearly destroyed, partly by want of clothing and exposure to severe cold, and partly by being sent upon services quite unsuitable to the tender age of the troops, who were mostly boys not more than nineteen years of age. The treasury was absolutely exhausted, and the violent taxes to which the king had recourse were so tyrannical and unjust that they could not be levied. The whole money remaining for carrying on the war, I have been credibly informed, did not exceed 2,0001. sterling. Mean while four separate armies were preparing to invade the kingdom on every side. Two Russian armies were ready to march; the one from Obo over the ice was destined to take possession of Stockholm, an open town and incapable of any defence; the other was to proceed from the north and fall down upon Dalecarlia and Nerike. A French and Danish army in conjunction were to cross the Sound upon the ice. But they were fortunately prevented by the sudden breaking up of the ice, and the appearance of some British ships of war. Finally, the Norwegian army under the command of Prince Augustenburg was to take possession of WermeLand and West Gothland. Such was the weakened state of the Swe

dish army, which in one year had been reduced from about 100,000 men to a comparatively small number; such the discontent both of the officers and men; such the want of provisions and ammunition, that very little resistance could have been opposed, and Sweden must infallibly have been overrun and divided. In this dreadful dilemma, when no hope was left, the country was saved by an unforeseen revolution, which wested the sceptre from the unworthy hands of Gustavus, and saved the country from partition by a speedy and necessary peace. p. 130.

The origin of the conspiracy is still enveloped in obscurity; but it appears to have been joined at an early stage by the army, and spread with rapidity all over the kingdom. A day was at length fixed when the King was to be arrested, the western army concluded a truce with Prince Augustenburg, published manifestos, and marched towards Stockholm; but the 8th of February had been suffered to pass by in the metropolis without putting the intended scheme into execution. On the 13th of March the proceedings of the army having become known in Stockholm, the conspirators, headed by Baron Adlercreutz, proceeded to fulfil their intentions. The King was preparing to make his escape to Nyköping, the gates of the palace were shut, and expostulations were used to prevent his departure.

'Baron Adlercreutz went round and desired those who were stationed at the gates and the other parts of the palace to be vigilant on their parts, and having collected a number of officers, he entered the King's room. When the door opened the King seemed surprised; the Baron immediately approached and said, "That the public mind was in the utmost irritation from the unfortunate state of the country, and particularly from his Majesty's intended departure from Stockholm: that the higher officers of state, the troops, and the most respectable citizens had encouraged him to represent the consequences to his Majesty, for which purpose"-here the King loudly exclaimed, "Treason! you are all corrupted and shall be punished!" The Baron answered, "We are no traitors, but wish to save your Majesty, and our country." The King immediately drew his sword, the Baror, rushed upon him and seized him round the waist, while Colonel Silfversparre took the sword out of his hand; the King then cried out, "They are going to murder me, help! help!" They endeavoured to re-assure the King, and he promised to be more composed if they would return his sword; this request they endeavoured to evade, and when the King obstinately insisted on it, he was told that in this respect he could not be gratified, nor be permitted any more to interfere in the management of the kingdom.

After some hesitation and argumentations, the Baron had the address to persuade the guards to remain tranquil. Proper regulations were then made for the security of the capital. The citizens mounted guard at the bank and public offices, and the

streets were

kept quiet by patroles of the burgher cavalry and cuirassiers, who had orders not to molest any person who was not openly riotous.

Mean while the King had entreated to be spared the mortification of seeing the officers who had been concerned in his arrest, and who had been left with him by Baron Adlercreutz in order to secure his person. They retired in consequence, and Count Ugglas and General Count Strömfelt were sent in to his Majesty to endeavour to tranquillize him. The King contrived to draw General Strömfelt's sword from the scabbard, and when the General missed it, and entreated to have it returned, his Majesty answered, that the General was just as good a General as he a King without a sword. Baron Adlercreutz, who had just returned, being informed of the circumstance, thought it necessary that some officers should be placed in the room as a guard upon the King. He went out accordingly to procure them, and the King, seeing him return with two officers through the door that had been demolished by the guards, immediately made his escape through the opposite door, and locked it behind him.

The Baron was alarmed at the danger which would result from the escape of the King, leaped against the door and burst it open, and ran in pursuit of him. In the next room there is a spiral staircase, open all round, which leads up to the floor above. When the Baron entered the room, he saw the King on the highest step of this stair. He threw a bunch of keys in the Baron's face, and immediately disappeared. When Baron Adlercreutz got to the top of the stair, the King was no where to be seen. By accident he took the same road as the King, and meeting some servants in the way, was by them directed in his pursuit. But he reached the court of the palace without having seen the King. Gustavus had been so precipitate in his escape, that he fell in the stair and hurt his arm severely.

، When the King's escape was made known, the whole conspirators were filled with consternation, and rushed in a body to the court of the palace to endeavour to intercept his Majesty's fight. Greiff, keeper of the King's game, had precipitately descended the great, stair, and was the first that reached the court. He saw the King, with his sword in his hand, making towards the only gate that had been left open. As soon as Grieff overtook him, the King made a violent push at him, but with so unsteady an arm, that the sword passed up the sleeve of Grieff's coat, and only slightly wounded him. His sword being thus entangled, his breath gone, and his strength exhausted, he was easily overpowered. He was carried up stairs, and at his own desire taken into the white room. He was there set down upon the chair nearest the door, and exactly opposite to the portrait of Marie Antoinette, the late unfortunate Queen of France. He remained quiet the whole day. Not the smallest disturbance took place in the capital, no displeasure was testified by the people, and the theatre in the evening was crowded by an unusual number of spectators." pp. 135-138.

The Duke of Sudermania, uncle to Gustavus, was placed at the head of the government. Gustavus abdicated the throne

by a written instrument on the 29th of March, and the Duke ascended the throne under the title of Charles XIII. The infirmities of the new monarch rendered the election of a Crown Prince necessary, and the choice of the Diet fell upon Prince Augustenburg, Governor of Norway, a Prince beloved to enthusiasm by the Norwegians, and deserving the dignity conferred upon him, by unimpeachable integrity and unsullied virtues. A new constitution was framed, in which Dr. Thomson informs us, on the authority of Mr. Jerta who was at the time Secretary of State, that it was the object of all parties to assimilate the Swedish constitution to that of Great Britain. The attempt is indeed perceptible in the particulars given by our author, from which we extract the more important.

6

The government was declared to be monarchical and hereditary, with limitation to the issue male. The King must be of the true evangelical Lutheran) religion, and must govern conformably to the constitution, with and by the advice of a state council, the members of which were to be appointed by him, and responsible for their advice; he himself being exempt from all responsibility. Every member present is bound to give his advice; but the privilege of deciding is vested in the King, who may determine in virtue of his prerogative in opposition to the votes or opinions of all the council. If the King's decision be repugnant to the constitution and the laws, every member of the council is bound to remonstrate; and if any member's opinion is not duly recorded, that member shall be considered as guilty of counselling and abetting the King in his unconstitutional decision. This article renders the responsibility of the council quite nugatory, and the constitution itself of no value whatever before a prince of abilities and address, who may thus render himself legally as absolute as he pleases.

The King may conclude treaties, after consulting the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chancellor. He may declare war or conclude peace; but before he do either, he must state his reasons to the council; the members of which are bound to give their opinion, and are responsible for it. The supreme command of the army and navy is vested in the King, and the ultimate decision in all matters relative thereto, assisted by the Ministers of State for this service, who are responsible for their advice. Diplomatic, civil, and military employments are at the King's appointment, who likewise appoints the archbishops and bishops; but he cannot remove a judge from his office, except for just cause, and on proof of criminality. Neither can he deprive, or cause any subject to be deprived of his life, liberty, honour, or property, without trial and judgment. Neither can he harass or persecute any person for his religious opinions, provided the promulgation of these opinions, or the exercise of that religion, be not injurious to the community.

The King may pardon criminals and mitigate or commute punishment. The States are to assemble every fifth year at Stockholm. The bank is under their immediate controul, and the King can im

pose no taxes without the consent of the Diet. No Diet is to continue longer than three months, unless business require it. No officer of the crown can influence the election of any of its members. No member can be accused or deprived of his liberty for his actions or expressions in his respective state, unless the particular state to which he belongs should demand it. At each Diet a Committee must be appointed for inquiring into the conduct of the Ministers, Council, and Secretaries of State. The restrictions on the press were removed, and a Committee appointed to superintend the liberty of the press. pp. 142-144.

In 1811 Prince Augustenburg died, and Count Fersen being suspected of having administered poison to him, fel a victim to the over hasty indignation of the crowd; for it was afterwards ascertained, that Augustenburg's death was the consequence of a natural disease.-At this juncture Bernadotte, Prince of Ponté Corvo, was in the north of Germany at the head of a French army.

By what secret springs his election was conducted it was quite impossible to learn. But the nature of the choice, and the war with Great Britain, lead one strongly to suspect the all-powerful application of French influence. The Swedes all vehemently deny the existence of any such influence, and affirm that the election of Bernadotte was very much contrary to Bonaparte's wishes. But I do not believe that any one of those persons, with whom I conversed on the subject, had any means of acquiring accurate information. The secret means employed were probably known only to a very small number of individuals, and Bernadotte's consummate prudence, for which he is very remarkable, will probably bury the real truth for ever in oblivion, unless some unforeseen change in the affairs of Europe should make it his interest to divulge the secret. p. 145.

From the time of his accession to the dignity of Crown Prince, he strenuously resisted all applications to admit Frenchmen into places of trust; he concluded peace with England, and the plans of the late campaign in Russia are said to have originated with him. Till the moment arrived when he could strike the blow without a risque of missing the victim, he preserved the most guarded caution in his conduct, and, whatever value may be due to his prudence as a moral acquirement, it is doubtful whether any other quality would have been as advantageous in a political view, to himself, his adopted country, or Europe at large. He renounced upon his election the Roman Catholic religion, and was baptized by the name of Charles John.

When he landed in Sweden he was met by a nobleman sent by the Diet to receive him. As soon as they met they embraced. By some accident the two stars with which they were decorated caught hold of each other, so that when they attempted to separate, they