3 1 4 Norivay and the Norwegians 



the Dano-Norse kingdom, sank into insignificance. 

 Jealousy of the brother Scandinavian State was hence- 

 forward the chief motive force in Danish policy. The 

 balance between Denmark and Sweden was, to some 

 degree, redressed in favour of Denmark by Christian iv. 

 But in the following century there arose another 

 Swedish hero far inferior, indeed, to the great Gustavus, 

 but great enough to make his country once more — and 

 for the last time — blaze before the eyes of Europe, and 

 once more thoroughly to humiliate Denmark. I mean, 

 of course, Charles xii. 



May it not be, as was suggested in an earlier page, 

 that the Swedish people were only now beginning to 

 enter upon their inheritance of victory, now that the 

 nations of the Danes and the Norsemen had burnt out 

 their heroism and achievement: that during the old 

 Saga era the Swedes had been, compared to their 

 brother Scandinavians, a peaceful people, and that 

 they had held their strength in reserve till now ? 



However that may be, in all this history of the 

 rivalry between Denmark and Sweden, it is obvious 

 that Norway has no part. 



For all the important period of our historical sketch 

 the Scandinavians have been for us what they seem to 

 be constituted by the formation of their country, the 

 youngest of the nations of Europe. But during the 

 latter years which we have rapidly run through — ^just 

 those years when Norway has, in fact, passed off the 

 historic stage — it is interesting to notice how a new 

 nation, a younger one still than any of the Scandin- 

 avians, steps upon the boards — Eussia. At one time, we 



