other light than a compact merely defensive, with a view to the preservation of the general repose, and contained nothing inconsistent with the amicable terms in which they stood with the czar. The king gave his cordial assent to this act of the diet under certain restrictions, unawed by the impotent threats of the Austrian and Russian ambassadors, who evinced their displeasure by a temporary absence from the court of Stockholm.

With respect to the affair of Sleswig, his Swedish majesty considered his closer intimacy with France and England as the most effectual measure for terminating these disputes, as it served to fulfil the treaty with Russia without infringing the engagements contracted with Denmark, and guaranteed by so many different powers. This assurance, however, did not satisfy the Duke of Holstein. As only son to the queen's eldest sister, he imagined his hereditary claim on the Swedish crown to be undeniable, and the intrigues which he contrived to pursue for elevating himself to the throne, became at a subsequent period the remote cause of factious disturbances, with which, on a superficial view, they might seem to have had little connexion.

After the successful adjustment of her foreign relations, Sweden passed a number of years in terms of friendship with all her neighbours, and enjoying the fruits of those wise and prudent measures which had been adopted for redeeming the disastrous effects of the late war. The only occurrence that interrupted this domestic tranquillity was the arrest and trial of Count Welling, accused of plotting against the liberties and government of his country, by abetting the mischievous projects of the Baron de Gortz, and holding secret correspondence with the Duke of Holstein, for altering the succession to the throne. Although most of the charges against this aged nobleman were founded in malice, he would have suffered a traitor's death by the hands of the common executioner, had not the entreaties of his daughter procured an exchange of his sentence into perpetual imprisonment in his own castle.

VOL. II.

K

CHAPTER IV.

From the Peace of Nystad to the Assassination of
Gustavus III., 1792.

Death of Frederick IV.-Pacific and enlightened Policy of Christian VI.-Commercial and Judicial Reforms of Frederick V.Improvement in Arts and Manufactures-Treaty with RussiaInternal Dissensions in Sweden-The Hat and the Cap PartiesWar with Russia-Defeat of the Swedes and Loss of FinlandDeath of the Queen-Competitors for the Throne-Treaty of Abo-Revolt of the Dalecarlians-Accession of the House of Holstein-Gottorp-The Seven Years' War-Treaties of Hamburg and Hubertsburg-Renewed Dissensions in Sweden-Struggle between the Hats and the Caps-Attempt to subvert the Constitution-Revolution effected by Gustavus III.—Restoration of absolute Monarchy-Christian VII. of Denmark-Administration of Struensee-His Downfal and Execution-Divorce and Imprisonment of Queen Matilda—Triumph of the adverse Faction-League of the Armed Neutrality-Spirited Conduct of Prince Frederick-He is associated in the Government-Misunderstanding with Sweden-Gustavus implicated in a War against Russia-Failure of the Expedition into Finland-Changes in the Swedish Constitution-Renewal of Hostilities-Battle of Svenkasund-Peace of Werela-Revolution in France-Preparations in the North to oppose it-Assassination of Gustavus III.-Execution of the Regicide Ankarstroem-Duke of Sudermania appointed Regent-Accession of Gustavus IV.

DURING the long period that elapsed between the close of the seventeenth and middle of the eighteenth century, the history and policy of Denmark are so intimately blended with those of Sweden, that a relation of the one necessarily comprises the public transactions of the other. The treaty of Stockholm having secured to Frederick IV. all he could reasonably desire, the remainder of his life was passed in a state of unmolested

repose; the only event that occurred worthy of com memoration being the destruction of his capital by an accidental fire (1728) which consumed upwards of 1640 houses. This monarch died in 1730, in the sixtieth year of his age; he bears the character of a wise and brave prince, too fond of enterprise, but strongly disposed to promote the welfare of his subjects. His son and successor Christian VI. was one of the most patriotic and popular sovereigns that ever filled the Danish throne. The storms of war which lately desolated the North had subsided; and although fresh hostilities, arising out of the disputed succession to the crown of Poland at the death of Augustus (1733), were renewed between France and Austria, the peace of Denmark continued to be undisturbed.

Immediately on his accession, Christian abolished certain monopolies in the sale of wine, brandy, salt, and tobacco, established under the late reign, which had occasioned loud complaints among the people on account of the heavy exactions imposed upon them by farming out that branch of the public revenue. He instituted a strict scrutiny into the management of the national finances, the result of which was, that several persons were convicted of malversation, and condemned to perpetual imprisonment. The whole of this king's administration was in unison with those acts of wisdom and prudence which distinguished its commencement. In 1736, he terminated the ancient disputes with the city of Hamburg, which produced several important concessions, and put a million of silver marks into the royal coffers. He renewed the treaties of amity with Sweden and England for the mutual protection of their dominions, and by these means frustrated the schemes of the Duke of Holstein to obtain repossession of Sleswig.

Every thing was done by this enlightened and spirited prince that tended to promote science, arts, and manufactures; workmen were procured at high wages, as instructors and improvers, from various kingdoms in Europe; and to facilitate the raising and disposing of

money, a royal bank was erected, which proved extremely advantageous to the mercantile interests of the kingdom. In imitation of his father's example, who had established a Greenland fishery, Christian founded a company for the India trade, and instituted a board and council to examine all proposals relative to the extension of commerce, in order to give the necessary encouragement for executing such as should meet with approbation.

Notwithstanding the repeal of certain oppressive taxes, he kept his fleet and army in a respectable condition, without increasing the burdens of his subjects. The national militia, which had been abolished, was restored; the period of service for those between sixteen and thirty, was eight years; and six for those beyond that age. An edict was published forbidding all persons, natives as well as foreigners, to trade in Denmark or Norway without a passport: the general condition of the people with regard to liberty was not improved, but this was less the fault of the king than of the nobles and landholders. Before the reign of Frederick IV. the Danish farmers were in a state of feudal slavery, and it was for the purpose of abolishing that degrading servitude, that the celebrated law of 1702 (Feb. 21) was published; but its effects were counteracted by a subsequent act (December 30) passed at the instigation of the grandees and the aristocracy, requiring all males born upon an estate, from the age of fourteen to thirty-five, to be enrolled in the militia lists; and not to quit their residence, as their service was entirely local. This latter provision of the enactment remained in force under Christian VI.; the lord of the manor being ordered to furnish one soldier for about each 400 acres of land, with power to select any of his tenants he might think proper.

Although the policy of this monarch was pacific, he did not fail to take vigorous measures when events rendered warlike demonstrations necessary. This was apparent in the misunderstandings that arose with the King

of England respecting the small territory of Steinhurst in the electorate of Hanover, to which both princes laid claim; and with Holland on the subject of the Arctic whale-fisheries; but in each of these contests his Danish majesty's firmness and promptitude succeeded in carrying his objects without resorting to force. By his energetic display of military means, he frustrated the projects of Sweden for uniting herself with Russia, and conferring the succession of her throne on a prince of the house of Holstein. The reputation he acquired from his upright and wise administration, gained him the confidence of his allies and the applause of all Europe; and when he died (6th August 1746) he carried with him to the grave the universal regret and esteem of his subjects.*

Historians have observed with truth, that no kingdom has been more fortunate in its princes than Denmark; and this felicity she enjoyed not only when the monarchy was elective, but after the crown was made hereditary. The happy fruits of the late reign still continued to increase and ripen under Frederick V., who succeeded to the virtues as well as to the throne of his father. The first acts of his government were the conclusion of a commercial treaty with Spain, and the ratification of the alliance entered into between his predecessor and the Empress Elizabeth of Russia. In his domestic finances he made various judicious alterations, and by a well-regulated economy he managed to live so far within the bounds of his revenue, as to pay off a large amount of crown debts contracted by his ancestors. All this was effected after expending considerable sums in promoting manufactures, and rewarding ingenious artists; his fleets and armies at the same time were kept in an efficient condition, and strong garrisons maintained in the fortresses of the kingdom.

This excellent monarch was not less distinguished as a legislator than as a financier. In the year 1750 he granted a considerable sum of money out of his own

* Mod. Univ. Hist. vol. xii. p. 204.