86 
TRAVELS 
His objeCt was to aftonifh the nation by (hows and other novelties, 
to dazzle the people by the fplendor of his magnificence, and to 
engage them in purfuits of pleafure, that they might be di¬ 
verted from reflections on their political fubjeCtion and degra¬ 
dation. He was willing to root out every fentiment of honour, 
and to extinguifh every fpark of liberty, that he might bear fway 
over a herd of flaves. When impartial hiftory fhall unfold the 
various artifices by which this prince, who was unhappily for his 
country, a man of unqueftionable genius, attained to the accom- 
plifhment of all his ends, we fhall be fatisfied that he was a greater 
enemy to the Swedifli nation than Charles XII.: for Charles left 
behind him, in the minds of the Swedes, a fpirit of national pride 
as well as perfonal honour and felf-efteem, and a fatisfinftory recol¬ 
lection of the noble exploits of their anceftors. Though reduced 
by him to the loweft ebb of fortune, they were animated by his 
name to a love of glory. They were proud of having had fuch a 
king, and wept over his memory. That of Guflavus III. is che- 
rifhed at this day by none but painters, muficians, comedians, and 
particular favourites. As for the fciences, Guflavus III. was fa 
far from affording them any fubftantial fupport, that on the con¬ 
trary, he treated them with negleCt, if not contempt. The mag¬ 
nificent collection of natural hiftory made by Linnasus, was per¬ 
mitted to be bought by an Englifhman, and carried to England.* 
Many of the manuferipts of the incomparable Bergmann, for want 
of encouragement in Sweden, were difpofed of and printed in 
Germany. 
# It is in the polfeffion of James Edward Smith, M. D. who refides at Norwich. 
