352 SWEDISH JURISPRUDENCE. 



8th of October, 1757, who was indicted for having caused a 

 man's death in a manner somewhat similar to myself." 



In due time came his Majesty's decision. It was short, 

 but to the purpose ; for after recapitulating the proceedings 

 of the lower courts, it reversed the judgment of the Hof- 

 Ratt, and confirmed that of the Harads-Ratt, which, as 

 observed, was in point of fact an acquittal, and exempted 

 me from all blame in this most melancholy affair. 



Whilst this unhappy business was pending, a kindly 

 feeling prevailed generally towards me amongst the Swedes. 

 The peasants in Dalecarlia, where the catastrophe occurred, 

 viewed the matter in its true light as one of those accidents 

 to which people engaged in so hazardous a pursuit as bear 

 hunting are constantly exposed; and so far from showing 

 ill-will, evinced towards me, as well during the trial as 

 afterwards, the greatest cordiality. 



And our countrymen resident in Sweden sympathised with 

 me most kindly on the melancholy occasion. The present 

 Lord Bloomfield, our then charge d'affaires, amongst others, 

 wrote me a very kind note from Stockholm; and in a 

 second note, written subsequently to the decision of the 

 King, he says : " I congratulate you on the issue of your 

 trial, which is in every way as satisfactory as one could 

 have expected. The same feeling on the subject continues 

 here, and people will be glad to learn that you are so 

 completely exculpated." 



