ch are the tricks of trade. They threw
stones at Mr. Anker, the owner of it, as he rode out of town to escape
from their fury; they assembled about his house, and the people demanded
afterwards, with so much impetuosity, the liberty of those who were taken
up in consequence of the tumult, that the Grand Bailiff thought it
prudent to release them without further altercation.

You may think me too severe on commerce, but from the manner it is at
present carried on little can be advanced in favour of a pursuit that
wears out the most sacred principles of humanity and rectitude. What is
speculation but a species of gambling, I might have said fraud, in which
address generally gains the prize? I was led into these reflections when
I heard of some tricks practised by merchants, miscalled reputable, and
certainly men of property, during the present war, in which common
honesty was violated: damaged goods and provision having been shipped for
the express purpose of falling into the hands of the English, who had
pledged themselves to reimburse neutral nations for the cargoes they
seized; cannon also, sent back as unfit for service, have been shipped as
a good speculation, the captain receiving orders to cruise about till he
fell in with an English frigate. Many individuals I believe have
suffered by the seizures of their vessels; still I am persuaded that the
English Government has been very much imposed upon in the charges made by
merchants who contrived to get their ships taken. This censure is not
confined to the Danes. Adieu, for the present, I must take advantage of
a moment of fine weather to walk out and see the town.

At Christiania I met with that polite reception, which rather
characterises the progress of manners in the world, than of any
particular portion of it. The first evening of my arrival I supped with
some of the most fashionable people of the place, and almost imagined
myself in a circle of English ladies, so much did they resemble them in
manners, dress, and even in beauty; for the fairest of my countrywomen
would not have been sorry to rank with the Grand Bailiff's lady. There
were several pretty girls present, but she outshone them all, and, what
interested me still more, I could not avoid observing that in acquiring
the easy politeness which distinguishes people of quality, she had
preserved her Norwegian simplicity. There was, in fact, a graceful
timidity in her address, inexpressibly charming.