THROUGH SWEDEN. 
97 
CHAPTER VI. 
Remarks on Academies or learned Societies—Thofe eflablifhed by 
Lewis XIV. in France—Efleft of Opinions and theoretical Prin¬ 
ciples upon the Fate of Nations—How far the public Opinion 
may be directed or influenced by learned Societies—More of the 
Char after flics of thefe Societies difplayed - Academy of Belles- 
Lettres at Stockholm—Members of this Academy—The Swedifh 
Academy, or the Eighteen ; its Proceedings, Prizes, &c. — Mem¬ 
bers of the Swedifh Academy—Account of fome Swedifh Poets, 
among whom is mentioned Mr. Tori Id, an Admirer and Imitator 
of OJfan. 
F | AHE fafhion of patronizing literature and fcience, in the be- 
• JL * ginning of the fixteenth century, when a matrimonial al¬ 
liance exifted between the houfe of Medici and that of Bourbon, 
was imported into France from Italy. Academies for the cultiva¬ 
tion of the arts and fciences were inffituted early in the reign of 
Lewis XIV. and nobly endowed with pecuniary funds, as well as 
privileges and honours. The vanity of the king, the foie motive 
of his liberality, was abundantly gratified; for nothing could ex¬ 
ceed the obfequious adulation of the academicians. They once 
Vol. I. O had 
