THROUGH SWEDEN. 
6T 
fentation that is moft relifhed, and which to thofe who know the 
Swedifh language is certainly the moft interefting, is the little 
pieces adled by young perfons who are training up for the opera. 
Among thefe there arc now and then tome who give true indica¬ 
tions of genius in their attempts. Thofe little operas, as well as 
plays, are exhibited in the old theatre. Befides the royal theatres 
there is that of Mr. Stenborg, where the comic operas are given. 
It is but little frequented by people of rank, and is in every refpcct 
much inferior to the other houfes. 
I was told an anecdote of a celebrated acftrefs at one of the royal 
theatres in the reign of Guftavus III. which ferves in fome mea- 
fure to pourtray that monarch, and at the fame time to paint the 
airs in which the vain and conceited race of players were led to 
indulge themfelves by the condefcenfion of the king. The firft 
aftrefs in the national theatre was a Danifh woman of the name 
of Walters, who was the daughter of a common failor, but had 
received a good education at Copenhagen for the ftage. Being 
handfome, as well as diftinguifhed in her profeftion, file had many 
admirers, whom it was her delight to torment by every fpecies of 
caprice. Her infolence became fo great through habitual indul¬ 
gence, that file did not hefitate to difplay it even towards the king 
himfelf. Confidering her falary as inadequate to her merit, fhe 
petitioned for an augmentation of her allowance, and one day per- 
fonally applied to the king in a tone very pofitive and peremptory. 
His majefty defired her to be content with the prefent payments, 
and told her, in a very decided manner, that fhe muft not expect 
her 
