ss
throughout Sweden, a spirit of detraction in regard to everything
Swedish. Whenever I mentioned with admiration the name of a
distinguished Swede, I was almost always sure to hear, in return, some
disparaging remark, or a story to his disadvantage. Yet, singularly
enough, the Swedes are rather sensitive to foreign criticism, seeming to
reserve for themselves the privilege of being censorious. No amount of
renown, nor even the sanctity which death gives to genius, can prevent a
certain class of them from exhibiting the vices and weaknesses of their
countrymen. Much the severest things which I heard said about Sweden,
were said by Swedes themselves, and I was frequently obliged to rely
upon my own contrary impressions, to protect me from the chance of being
persuaded to paint things worse than they really are.

Just before leaving Stockholm I made application, through the Hon. Mr.
Schroeder, our Minister Resident, and Baron Lagerheim, for the privilege
of an interview with the king. A few days previously, however, he had
been attacked with that illness which has obliged him to withdraw from
the labours of government, and was advised by his physicians to receive
no one. He sent me a very kind message, with an invitation to renew my
request as soon as his health should be restored. Gentlemen who had
opportunities of knowing the fact, assured me that his health broke down
under an accumulation of labour and anxiety, in his endeavours to bring
the question of religious liberty before the Diet--a measure in which he
had to contend with the united influence of the clergy, the House of
Peasants, whom the clergy rule to a great extent, and a portion of the
House of Nobles. It is not often that a king is in advance of the
general sentiment of his people, and in losing the services of Oscar, I
fear that Sweden has lost her best man. The Crown Prince, now Prince
Regent, is said to be amiably weak in his character, rather reactionary
in his views, and very ambitious of military glory. At least, that is
the average of the various opinions which I heard expressed concerning
him.

After speaking of the manners of Stockholm, I must not close this
chapter without saying a few words about its morals. It has been called
the most licentious city in Europe, and, I have no doubt, with the most
perfect justice. Vienna may surpass it in the amount of conjugal
infidelity, but certainly not in general incontinence. Very nearly half
the regist