6o •« the Swedijh aeademy. *^aft. 1 1. 



name is my highest wish. The renown of my 

 country, spread abroad by victorious arms, while 

 it encreased its lustre, hath often been only the 

 cause of frefli distrefs to my countrymen. Glory 

 of another kind remains for us to acquire, — that of 

 learning, and the polite arts ; a glory that can 

 br ave the power of time, and the hazards of war. 

 This glory belongs to these happy moments of 

 peace aid tranquility, which give the mind leisure 

 to yield- to that ardour which ani 'mates, to that fire 

 which reraa-ins at rest, during tempestuous times -, 

 though these have often excited it. But if the 

 tranquility of a long peace can contribute to the 

 happinefs of a state, it is often the source of indo- 

 lence which tends to barbarity. It enervates men 

 of genius, who at other times would have enlight- 

 ened their fellow citizens, and done honour to their 

 country. Men are so formed, that they are ani- 

 mated only by being put in motion. Powerful 

 motives are necefsary to excite them to cultivate 

 the gifts of nature ; But sometimes the sweetest 

 calm broods stormy revolutions, unlefs an atten- 

 tive prudence give employment to genius, and the 

 hope of honours and celebrity, prevent them from 

 giving way to a lethargy, equally hurtful to them- 

 selves and the state. To excite emulation in the 

 sciences and polite literature, is the means of pre- 

 serving, during peace, this fire of genius, which, by 

 forming citizens capable of succouring it in tinic 

 of trouble, may benefit the state. 



" But unlefs the language have attained a cer- 

 tain decree of celebrity, the glory of those that 



