318 Memoirs of Gustavus Adolphus IV. King of Sweden. [May 1, 
the inhabitants of Amsterdam had some- 
thing else to think and speak of, they 
would soon be reconciled to the present 
state of things; but as long as this is not 
the case, they—will remam- very much 
displeased with their present- situation. 
It is therefore very impolitic of king Louis 
to make these great and expensive alte- 
rations now. It would have been a great 
deal better, if he had waited till peace 
was re-established; the only thing which 
ean bring Holland, and chiefly Amster- 
dam, back agam tu the ancient greatness 
and prosperity of the country. The 
addition of East Friezland, &c. does not 
please the Dutch at all. They never 
wished for an increase of territory to their 
own coutry; they always looked and 
worked for the increase of their commerce, 
and the prosperity of their foreign settle- 
ments. The alteration of Holland, as well 
external as internal, is thus very great, 
but unfortunately for the worse, with the 
prospect, that the period which can vpen 
again the resources of prosperity, is still 
far distant, and that they will long remain 
deprived of their commerce and navi- 
gation. 
MEMOIRS AND REMAINS OF EMINENT PERSONS. 
Ea 
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS IV. 
KING OF SWEDEN. 
T a time when the map of Europe 
is undergoing such extraordinary 
changes; when one kingdom disappears, 
and another rises of different govern- 
ment and extent; when fear seems to 
paralize the sceptered arm, and awful 
dread to bow the crowned head to the 
nod of the conqueror; how much ought 
we to admire and venerate the heroism 
of one sovereign, Gustavus the Fourth, 
the young King of the comparatively 
small reaim of Sweden! 
This heroic monarch 1s descended from 
a line of ancestors, whose names need 
only be mentioned to awaken remem- 
brances the most honourable. 
Gustavus Vasa rescued his coun- 
try from fereign tyranny, and gave 
it freedom, prosperity, and happiness: 
Gustavus Adolphus drove its most pow- 
erful enemies far-behind their own fron- 
tiers; and, at one time, nearly became 
‘master of Russia and of Austria: Charles 
Gustavus brought the~ haughty King 
John of Poland under his yoke: Charles 
the Twelfth’s name alone, throws the 
victories of Alexander the Great ito 
the back ground: Adulphus Frederick’s 
virtues restored to his country the tran- 
quil enjoyment of peace; and Gustavus 
IIT. like the illustrious Pericles of Athens, 
embellished it with all her blessings. The 
noble public buildings he erected, the 
- museums, academies, and manufactories 
he founded, the arsenals he filled with 
warlike stores, the improved state of his 
army, and the increase of his navy, 
all these are greater monuments of his 
fame, than statues or triumphal arches ; 
his history is written in the hearts of 
his people, and still may be read in their 
tears. In paying this tribute to the memo- 
ry of a deceased good king, they do not 
defraud their present Sovereign of any al- 
legiance; for the same spirit of duty and 
gratitude that actuates them to love the 
brave ‘reigning prince, moves them 
to weep, when recollection recalls the 
murder of his august father. The effects 
of the great victory of Schwenko-Sund, 
when Gustavus III. saved his crown and. 
the liberties of his people from the grasp 
of Russia, yet exist before them;’ and, 
with redoubled ardour, they follow to the 
field the son and emulator of so coura- 
geous a defender. 4 
Aiter the death of this heroic and 
amiable monarch, who was assassinated 
on the night of the 15th of March, 1791, 
hardly more than eight months after the 
glorieus victory of Schwenko-Sund ; Gus- 
tavus Adolphus, not then fourteen years 
of age, was declared king; but being 
a minor, his uncle the Duke of Suder- 
mania became regent. In 1782, Gus- 
tavas Jil. had made a will, by which he 
ordered, that, in case of his decease, 
his son, Gustavus Adolphus, conforma- 
bly to the fundamental laws of the 
kingdom, should not assume the reins 
of government till arrived at the age of 
twenty-one. 
between him and Rassia, he made a 
second will, by which the majority of: 
the heir apparent was fixed at eighteen ; 
on account of the extraordinary pre= 
gress that young prince had made in 
his studies, his early indications of courage 
and judgment, and of the exigency of the 
times. The assassination of this mo- 
narch, ever anxious to ensure the wel- 
fare of his people, brought this provident 
testament too soon into effect. His bro-= 
ther, the Duke of Sudermania, was hardly 
seated 
. 
When the war broke out. 
