ing 
= 
. 
$792. ‘on literature in Denmark. 33 
he is extremely careful to preserve. But neither litera- 
-ture nor military parade attract his attention so much as 
‘tomake him neglect the more important concerns of agni- 
culture, manufactures, and trade, the only true sources of 
:mational prosperity. In these his laudable pursuits he has: 
‘been supported by-some of the principal men in the king- 
«dom, who have had sense enough’to perceive that their 
own prosperity depended on the welfare of the people un- 
der them, and spirit- enough to promote that welfare, in 
“spite of those bars that avarice and ignorance have thrown 
im their way. The.peasants of Denmark, like those of most 
*of the northern countries of Europe, were like, till very late- 
‘dy, a sort of vegetative production of the soil, from which 
they could on no account be removed without the permif- 
. sion of their lord. Some enlightened spirits there, how- 
ever, perceiving the indolence that this kind of slavery 
‘produced among:the people, and sensible of many other 
~evils originating from the same source, were desirous of 
restoring the people to those rights which alone could 
render them active and useful citizens tothe state, and 
therefore resolved ‘to emancipate their own people, to 
serve as an example to others. Count Bernstorff, prime 
sminister of Denmark, had the honour of taking the lead in 
this generous and patriotic enterprise. He, and count 
Christian Ditlef Reventlow, afsisted by Mr Christian Col- 
“biornsen, the attorney-general, have at length effected that 
glorious enterprise, though not without great difficulty. 
But the struggle is now over, and a foundation is thus laid 
for the prosperity of Denmark, the fruits of which will be 
enjoyed by future-ages. 
The-minds of the peoplein Denmark were nearly as much 
agitated by the prospect of thisemancipation, as are those of 
“the proprietors of our West India islands-at present by the 
sprospect of the proposed abolition of the slave trade. ‘The 
VOL. ix, £ + 
