272 
TRAVELS 
than to undergo a mere examination. Thefe things were fre¬ 
quently mentioned to me, as foon as the firft civilities of recep¬ 
tion had pafled, and I confidered it as a premonition to myfelf, 
and did not fail to take the hint, as my readers will readily con¬ 
ceive and believe, from the paucity of ftatiftical fubje&s that I 
have touched on, in comparifon with the various and precife de¬ 
tails of Mr. Coxe. This hint, which I took myfelf, I throw out 
for the benefit of future travellers. 
The Rate of Sweden, and particularly that of the capital, has 
left this general impreffion on my mind, that a greater progrefs 
has been made in the fciences and arts, both liberal and mechani¬ 
cal, by the Swedes, than by any other nation ftruggling with 
equal difadvantages of foil and climate, and labouring under the 
difcouragement of internal convulflons and external aggreffions, 
from proud, powerful, and overbearing neighbours. Their com¬ 
merce, all things confidered, and their manufactures are in a 
flourifhing Rate. The fpirit of the people, under various changes 
unfavourable to liberty, remains yet unbroken. The government 
is flill obliged in fome degree to refpeCt the public opinion. There 
is much regard paid to the natural claims of individuals ; juftiee 
is tempered with mercy, and great attention is fhewn in their 
hofpitals and other inflitutions to the fituation of the poor and 
helplefs. From the influence of the court among a quick, lively, 
and active race of men, private intrigue and cabal have, to a great 
degree, crept into every department of fociety; and this is what I 
find the greateft fubjeCt of blame, or of regret, in fpeaking of that 
country. 
