THROUGH SWEDEN. 
89 
difcount of the paper-money of Sweden at Hamburgh, Riga, 
and other places, fell from twenty-five to ten per cent. This 
neutrality was calculated to reftore to the Swedes fome portion 
of that national character which Guftavus was at fo great pains 
to deftroy ; and that brave and honeft people were again allowed 
to cherifti the idea, and make ufe of the word liberty without 
giving offence. The duke of Sudermania had the good fenfe to 
form a juft eftimate of a nation which, in vindication of their 
liberty, had at different times revolted againft tyrants; and whofe 
conduct in public affairs had on the whole been fuch as became 
an enlightened people. Men of letters and fcience began to lift 
up their voice, and their voice was heard. More freedom was 
granted to the prefs; and though the reftraints enforced by Guf¬ 
tavus III. were formally abolifhed, yet writers were not permitted 
to difcufs matters even of a political nature without fear, and to 
affert the truth without reftridion. This alteration was very per¬ 
ceptible in the trade of bookfelling, which was greatly encouraged 
and augmented. 
There is only one fubjed on w r hich the Duke of Sudermania 
has been charged with w T eaknefs, namely, Mefmerifm ., or animal 
magnetifm , the belief in which is thought by moll men of learn¬ 
ing and fcience, to be no proof of either good fenfe or an en¬ 
lightened underftanding. Several perfons of diftindion at the 
court of Sweden paffed fome time at Paris, when the dodrines 
and extravagancies of Mefmer were in vogue, and liftened to by 
every body. Thofe that were initiated in the myfteries of Mef- 
Vol. I. N 
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