the middling class of people found grievous； because it obliged them to throw aside finery that might have lasted them for their lives。
These may be termed vexatious； still the death of the king； by saving them from the consequences his ambition would naturally have entailed on them； may be reckoned a blessing。
Besides； the French Revolution has not only rendered all the crowned heads more cautious； but has so decreased everywhere （excepting amongst themselves） a respect for nobility； that the peasantry have not only lost their blind reverence for their seigniors； but complain in a manly style of oppressions which before they did not think of denominating such； because they were taught to consider themselves as a different order of beings。 And； perhaps； the efforts which the aristocrats are making here； as well as in every other part of Europe； to secure their sway； will be the most effectual mode of undermining it； taking into the calculation that the King of Sweden； like most of the potentates of Europe； has continually been augmenting his power by encroaching on the privileges of the nobles。
The well…bred Swedes of the capital are formed on the ancient French model； and they in general speak that language； for they have a knack at acquiring languages with tolerable fluency。 This may be reckoned an advantage in some respects； but it prevents the cultivation of their own； and any considerable advance in literary pursuits。
A sensible writer has lately observed （I have not his work by me； therefore cannot quote his exact words）； 〃That the Americans very wisely let the Europeans make their books and fashions for them。〃 But I cannot coincide with him in this opinion。 The reflection necessary to produce a certain number even of tolerable productions augments more than he is aware of the mass of knowledge in the community。 Desultory reading is commonly a mere pastime。 But we must have an object to refer our reflections to； or they will seldom go below the surface。 As in travelling； the keeping of a journal excites to many useful inquiries that would not have been thought of had the traveller only determined to see all he could see； without ever asking himself for what purpose。 Besides； the very dabbling in literature furnishes harmless topics of conversation； for the not having such subjects at hand； though they are often insupportably fatiguing； renders the inhabitants of little towns prying and censorious。 Idleness； rather than ill…nature； gives birth to scandal； and to the observation of little incidents which narrows the mind。 It is frequently only the fear of being talked of which produces that puerile scrupulosity about trifles incompatible with an enlarged plan of usefulness； and with the basis of all moral principlesrespect for the virtues which are not merely the virtues of convention。
I am； my friend； more and more convinced that a metropolis； or an abode absolutely solitary； is the best calculated for the improvement of the heart； as well as the understanding； whether we desire to become acquainted with man； nature； or ourselves。 Mixing with mankind； we are obliged to examine our prejudices； and often imperceptibly lose； as we analyse them。 And in the country； growing intimate with nature； a thousand little circumstances； unseen by vulgar eyes； give birth to sentiments dear to the imagination； and inquiries which expand the soul； particularly when cultivation has not smoothed into insipidity all its originality of character。
I love the country； yet whenever I see a picturesque situation chosen on which to erect a dwelling I am always afraid of the improvements。 It requires uncommon taste to form a whole； and to introduce accommodations and ornaments analogous with the surrounding…scene。
It visited； near Gothenburg； a house with improved land about it； with which I was particularly delighted。 It was close to a lake embosomed in pine…clad rocks。 In one part of the meadows your eye was directed to the broad expanse； in another you were led into a shade； to see a part of it； in the form of a river； rush amongst the fragments of rocks and roots of trees； nothing seemed forced。 One recess； particularly grand and solemn amongst the towering cliffs； had a rude stone table and seat placed in it； that might have served for a Druid's haunt； whilst a placid stream below enlivened the flowers on its margin； where light…footed elves would gladly have danced their airy rounds。
Here the hand of taste was conspicuous though not obtrusive； and formed a contrast with another abode in the same neighbourhood； on which much money had been lavished； where Italian colonnades were placed to excite the wonder of the rude crags； and a stone staircase； to threaten with destruction a wooden house。 Venuses and Apollos condemned to lie hid in snow three parts of the year seemed equally displaced； and called the attention off from the surrounding sublimity； without inspiring any voluptuous sensations。 Yet even these abortions of vanity have been useful。 Numberless workmen have been employed； and the superintending artist has improved the labourers； whose unskilfulness tormented him； by obliging them to submit to the discipline of rules。 Adieu！
Yours affectionately。
LETTER IV。
The severity of the long Swedish winter tends to render the people sluggish； for though this season has its peculiar pleasures； too much time is employed to guard against its inclemency。 Still as warm clothing is absolutely necessary； the women spin and the men weave； and by these exertions get a fence to keep out the cold。 I have rarely passed a knot of cottages without seeing cloth laid out to bleach； and when I entered； always found the women spinning or knitting。
A mistaken tenderness； however； for their children； makes them even in summer load them with flannels； and having a sort of natural antipathy to cold water； the squalid appearance of the poor babes； not to speak of the noxious smell which flannel and rugs retain； seems a reply to a question I had often askedWhy I did not see more children in the villages I passed through？ Indeed the children appear to be nipt in the bud； having neither the graces nor charms of their age。 And this； I am persuaded； is much more owing to the ignorance of the mothers than to the rudeness of the climate。 Rendered feeble by the continual perspiration they are kept in； whilst every pore is absorbing unwholesome moisture； they give them； even at the breast； brandy； salt fish； and every other crude substance which air and exercise enables the parent to digest。
The women of fortune here； as well as everywhere else； have nurses to suckle their children； and the total want of chastity in the lower class of women frequently renders them very unfit for the trust。
You have sometimes remarked to me the difference of the manners of the country girls in England and in America； attributing the reserve of the former to the climateto the absence of genial suns。 But it must be their stars； not the zephyrs； gently stealing on their senses； which here lead frail women astray。 Who can look at these rocks； and allow the voluptuousness of nature to be an excuse for gratifying the desires it inspires？ We must therefore； find some other cause beside voluptuousness； I believe； to account for the conduct of the Swedish and American country girls； for I am led to conclude； from all the observations I have made； that there is always a mixture of sentiment and imagination in voluptuousness； to which neither of them have much pretension。
The country girls of Ireland and Wales equally feel the first impulse of nature； which； restrained in England by fear or delicacy； proves that society is there in a more advanced state。 Besides； as the mind is cultivated； and taste gains ground； the passions become stronger； and rest on something more stable than the casual sympathies of the moment。 Health and idleness will always account for promiscuous amours； and in some degree I term every person idle； the exercise of whose mind does not bear some proportion to that of the body。
The Swedish ladies exercise neither sufficiently； of course； grow very fat at an early age； and when they have not this downy appearance； a comfortable idea； you will say； in a cold climate； they are not remarkable for fine forms。 They have； however； mostly fine complexions； but indolence makes the lily soon displace the rose。 The quantity of coffee； spices； and other things of that kind； with want of care； almost universally spoil their teeth； which contrast but ill with their ruby lips。
The manners of Stockholm are refined； I hear； by the introduction of gallantry； but in the country； romping and coarse freedoms； with coarser allusions； keep the spirits awake。 In the article of cleanliness； the women of all descriptions seem very deficient； and their dress shows that vanity is more inherent in women than taste。
The men appear to have paid still less court to the graces。 They are a robust； healthy race； distinguished for their common sense and turn for humour； rather than for wit or sentiment。 I include not； as you may suppose； in this general character； some of the nobility and officers； who having travelled； are polite and