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and perplexed currents of human affairs. Within the last century and a half new nations have
appeared on the scene; new empires have sprung into life and greatness, and now rear their giant
heads over the ruins of fallen thrones and decayed monarchies. During the same period the
Scandinavians, jealous and disunited, deprived of the assistance of more powerful kindred nations, at times almost
shut out from the councils of Europe, and robbed of a portion of their heritage amidst the tempests of
the French revolution, struggled against unpropitious fortunes to maintain their rank among nations,
and make head against the encroachments of ambitious neighbours and rival races. A new era of peace,
of rapidly advancing prosperity [1],—perhaps, too, if the aspirations of ardent patriots carry trustworthy
presages, one of Union, in which the three nations of the northern peninsula will present a compact and
united front that may bid defiance to any foreign aggression—has now risen upon them. To Sweden,
whose power has but relatively declined, while absolutely it is much greater than ever, the foremost place
will no doubt be yielded; and a brilliant prospect opens which will yet be realized. Meantime, honour
and regard should wait on this ancient and warlike nation, which keeps watch by the Polar lights over the
portals of the East Sea and the West. To her are committed the keys of Europe, the vanguard of
civilization. And if ever the day should arrive, when the legions of the Muscovite shall march to
conflict with those of the west and south, her post will be one of danger, and doubtless of glory. Once she
was the arbiter of the European system; she may yet be its preserver.
But I detain the reader too long from pages more worthy his attention. My apology must be the
apparent necessity of attempting to explain the general character of a department of history hitherto too
little known, as well as of a style which some may find unfamiliar in its treatment. Let us listen then
to the words of a great scholar and politician, who, from the stillness of that distant retreat of the
Northern Muses, speaks to us with a voice of gentleness, yet of authority and force.
| Page 1, col. 2, line 17, for “reollections,” read recollections. |
| Page 31, col. 1, note 9, for “mundok,” read mund ok. |
| Page 34, col. 1, line 14, for “Gothland,” read Gottland. |
| Page 38, col. 2, line 23, for “befel,” read befell. |
| Page 45, note 9, for “Juta,” read Jutar. |
| Page 81, col. 2, line 11, place the , after conflict.
Note.—Sti in Swedish sounds like sh; j like y, as also g before ö or u. I have not in all cases rigidly adhered to the Swedish orthography, sometimes using the Latinized form instead. The mark ́ generally placed over e final, is to be considered as merely arbitrary, for the purpose of reminding the reader that it should be sounded. [1] The kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, united since 1814, contain the immense surface of 281,358 square miles English. The population of the former in 1839, according to the Geographical Almanack of Berghaus, was 3,111,067; that of the latter in 1840 was 1,243,700. They form now the fourth maritime power of the world, coming after Great Britain, the United States, and France. The number of their ships I have seen stated at 5450, and the tonnage at 471,772, though I am at a loss for the reference. The population of Denmark in 1840 was 2,194,950. That of the grand duchy of Finland, severed from Sweden by Russia in the reign of Gustavus IV., and whose inhabitants are far from having forgotten their old connexion, is 1,393,727. << prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >> Project Runeberg, Sun Dec 10 07:08:34 2023 (aronsson) (diff) (history) (download) << Previous Next >> https://runeberg.org/histswed/0020.html 
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