DENMARK. 63 



pearance. The royal palace of Chrrstiansburg, one of the most com- 

 modious and most sumptuously furnished in Europe, was destroyed 

 by tire on the 26th of February, 1794. About two miles from Elsineur 

 is a small royal palace, flat roofed, with twelve windows in front, said 

 to be built on the place formerly occupied by the palace of Hamlet's 

 father. In an adjoining garden is shewn the very spot where, ac- 

 cording to tradition, that prince was poisoned. 



Odensee is the capital of the island of Funen. It is situated on a 

 river which runs into a large bay about a mile below the town. It 

 contains a cathedral and three churches : here is also a royal palace. 

 The number of inhabitants is about 5,000. It has been said that the 

 Danish language is spoken here in its greatest purity.' 



Sleswick, the capital of the duchy of that name, is the largest town 

 in the Danish peninsula. It is a long, irregular, but handsome town 3 

 containing between five and six thousand inhabitants. 



Elsineur, or Helsingoer, is well built, contains 5,000 inhabitants, 

 and with respect to commerce is only exceeded by Copenhagen itself. 

 It is situate on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand, is strongly 

 fortified on the land side, and towards the sea defended by a strong 

 fort. Here all vessels pay a toll, and, in passing, lower their top- 

 sails. 



Manufactures and commerce. ...The manufactures of Denmark 

 are not very numerous or important. In the royal manufactures, as 

 they are called, at Copenhagen, a late intelligent traveller tells us 400 

 looms are employed in fabricating all sorts of woollen cloth, from the 

 finest to that for the use of the soldiery. Other manufactures have 

 also been encouraged by the crown, and by the patriotism of count 

 Roncellen. 



Denmark is extremely well situate for commerce ; her harbours 

 are well calculated for the reception of ships of all burdens, and her 

 mariners are very expert in the navigation of the different parts of the 

 ocean. The dominions of his Danish majesty also supply a great 

 variety of timber and other materials for ship-building ; and some of 

 his provinces afford many natural productions for exportation. Among 

 these, beside fir and other timber, are black-cattle, horses, butter, 

 stock-fish, tallow, hides, train-oil, tar, pitch, and iron. To these we 

 may add furs ; but the exportation of oats is forbidden. . The imports 

 are, salt, wine, brandy, and silk, from France, Portugal, and Italy. 

 The Danes have great intercourse with England, and thence import 

 broad-cloths, and all other articles manufactured in the great trading 

 towns of England. 



Civil constitution, government... .The ancient constitution of 

 Denmark was originally much the same with that of other Gothic go- 

 vernments. The king came to the throne by election; and, in con- 

 junction with the senate, where he presided, was invested with the 

 executive power. He likewise commanded the army, and decided 

 finally all the disputes which arose between his subjects. The legis- 

 lative power, together with the right of election of the king, was 

 vested in the states, who were composed, first, of the order of nobili- 

 ty, and secondly, of that of the citizens and farmers. After the intro- 

 duction of the Christian religion, the clergy were also admitted, not 

 only to be an order of the states, but to have seats likewise in the 

 senate. These orders had their respective rights and privileges, and 

 were independent of each other The crown had also its prerogatives, 

 and a certain fined revenue arising out of lands which were appro- 



