THROUGH SWEDEN. i 0I 
the introdudion of the arts and fciences into defpotic governments 
as apolitical incongruity; unlefs, indeed, it be the intention of the 
prince to ameliorate the condition of the people, and raife them 
gradually to a participation of political power, in proportion to 
their advancement in knowledge. Such, perhaps, was the inten¬ 
tion of Peter the Great, czar of Mufcovy, when he introduced 
arts and fciences into his vaft barbarian empire; an intention 
which probably he conceived in his comprehenfive mind, as likely 
to be accomplifhed either by himfelf or his fucceffors. At the 
fame time it was certainly a fingular fpedacle to fee that prince 
caning his courtiers, and inviting his fubjeds to walk with him 
into the temple of the Mufes and of Apollo. But what fliall we 
fay of Frederic II. of Pruffia patronizing French literature and 
manners, and encouraging philofophy, and even infidelity ? And 
what of the Emperor Jofeph II. overturning religious eftablifh- 
ments and promoting free difcufifion with one hand, while he fub- 
verted the privileges of his fubjeds with the other ? The obvious 
conclufion is, that thefe and other defpotic princes either were 
not at bottom fincere friends to the progrefs of knowledge, or 
that they did not forefee its political confequences. Nothing ap¬ 
pears more monftrous and abfurd, than to fee Guftavus III. tram¬ 
pling on the privileges of the Swedifh nation one year, and infti- 
tuting academies the next; but, on a defer examination of the 
condud of the Swede, we fhall find that it was at leaft not fo 
inconfiftent as that of the German princes juft mentioned. Flis 
love of abfolute power was fincere ; his zeal for literature and 
fcience 
