THROUGH SWEDEN. 
*73 
country. The refources of a Rate are chiefly three ; population, 
revenue, and territory. The firfl two are not conliderable in 
Sweden ; the lafl is great in extent, though not fo in its imme¬ 
diate value: but the vafl extent of territory itfelf is an objed of 
importance. Land and feas, however Rerile and rude, con- 
Rantly become more fertile and ufeful, as the courfe of fcience 
and art advances—as the French fay, “ Toujours va la terre au- 
“ bon.” Art fubdues natural difficulties and difadvantages, and 
finds new ufes for materials of every defcription : and, finally, it 
may be juRly obferved that, in the very rudenefs of the natural 
elements, and in their poverty, the Swedes have a pledge and 
fecurity for civil freedom and political independence. 
It is deemed a very great calamity in Sweden, and one not lef§ 
heavy than a bad harveR, if the winter be fuch as to prevent the 
ufe of fledges, becaufe it is by means of thefe that bulky commo¬ 
dities, namely, iron, wood, grain, and other articles, are conveyed 
from one place to another. Winters, however, fo mild that 
fledges cannot be ufe d, fometimes will happen; then the commu¬ 
nication is limited, and commercial intercourfe confined : for the 
highways are by no means fuflicient for the purpofes of travelling 
and carrying goods; whereas, with a fledge you may proceed on 
the fnow, through forefls and marflies, acrofs rivers and lakes, 
without any impediment or interruption. It is on account of 
this facility of tranfporting merchandize over the ice, that all the 
great fairs in Sweden and Finland are held in the winter feafon. 
Nor is it an uncommon thing for the peafants to undertake jour¬ 
neys^ 
