done by him, and, we presume, his little knot of courtiers, without even letting his ministers know of them; and their success was pretty nearly what might have been expected. Of these measures was the embargo on English shipping. He had long resolved to make peace with Denmark, that he might break with England; but the plan was to keep at war also with Russia and France.

"The order for an embargo on the English ships was not communicated to the cabinet till the day after it was despatched; and then the king had already altered his mind. it was represented to his majesty that counter orders ought in that case immediately to be sent; but the king said that there was no occasion to be so precipitate. The counter orders were, therefore, delayed eighteen hours after the courier who had been sent with orders for the embargo. But the king, in order to conceal his design even from his ministers, had not required a proper pass for the first courier, who was thus delayed upon his journey, while the other who followed him travelled with the utmost diligence. The embargo, therefore, only lasted five hours." Note, p. 169, 170.

When every thing else was going wrong, it is to be supposed that the finances could not continue in a very flourishing state. Their situation was, in fact, as bad as possible. The ministers were afraid to explain the extent of the evil to him, because “his opinion of the inexhaustible resources of his country, and pretensions of unlimited sacrifices from his people, made it be apprehended, that, were other means to fail, he would take some desperate step, either against the bank, or the property of individuals." However, in spite of all this care, he took to banking, and proposed a scheme of "circulation by means of tokens.” Having referred his plan to a "committee of finance," (for they had this among their other blessings,) the honourable members were pleased to disapprove of it; and the king, being enraged at them, and angry at the difficulties of the times, immediately dissolved them. A new committee was named; and they having begun their labours (as such bodies are in the very indelicate practice of doing) with statenients of distress, arrears, difficulties, &c. the king reprimanded them for so consuming their time, and desired they would set about discovering new funds. Without pursuing further these sickening details, we shall extract the summary given in the work before us, of what immediately preceded the revolution to which they led. It seems that great pains had been taken to keep the people in the dark, as to the real state of the country, and the measures and conduct of the rulers. But the events soon opened their eyes.

"Affection for their king is as natural to the Swedes as hatred to an aristocracy: and the personal misconduct of the king was generally

ascribed to the incapacity of his ministers. The great political mis takes of Gustavus Adolphus were little known to the Swedish public: all the sources of information were stopped. The importation of foreign books and journals was in general prohibited: those which were permitted to enter the country were severely censured: and the liberty of the press was entirely annihilated. Through these and other means, public opinion was yet in favour of the king. Even the losses sustained in the commencement of the war, far from disheartening, rather fired the courage, and roused the resentment of the people; and the consequences of this animation were soon evident in the successes of the army.

"But towards the autumn of 1808, the opinions of men began to change. During summer, all the energies of the country were called forth and excited to the utmost; and then allowed either to remain inactive, or were employed in the most injudicious enterprises. It now became evident that the personal hatred of Gustavus Adolphus to the French emperor was the only cause of the war; and there was little reason to hope the termination either of the cause or of the effect. The soldiers began to dislike and despise a king who expected from them impossibilities, while he declined to share the toils and dangers which he imposed. Some acts of injustice irritated individuals; and the treatment of the new levies excited the resentment and compassion of the people at large. Many patriotic men expressed their conviction that the time was now come when a revolution was absolutely necessary to save their country; but they suffered themselves to be persuaded that the attempt would yet be premature. It was hoped that the loss of Finland would abate the king's ardour for war-that he would himself be convinced of his error, and at last permit his dismembered country to enjoy a necessary repose. But such hopes were without foundation; preparations were made for another campaign, and the most absurd plans of operation were proposed. The most alarming reports of the intended partition of Sweden began to prevail, but made no alteration in the king's conduct. The imminent danger exalted in every man's bosom the love of his country; and it now became the duty of every good subject to endeavour to save what yet remained of the ancient independence of Sweden, and to withdraw allegiance from a king who despised the welfare of his people." P. 201-203.

The revolution was brought about by a coöperation of many persons in Stockholin, united to save their country from this inevitable destruction-and of the western army. Measures for effecting it had been for some time in agitation; and they were known to so many persons in the capital as to be the common topic of conversation. Yet so universally deserted was the unhappy king, that no one ever thought of giving him notice of these singular proceedings. When a prince has justly offended his country-when the bulk of his people are ready to throw off their allegiance in self-defence-he, is apt vainly to look towards his VOL. II. New Series.

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army, and to expect security from its disciplined fidelity. A confidence in its protection is also but too frequently one of the flattering visions which dance before his eyes, and beguile him to his ruin, while the danger is yet at a distance. But the history of the world presents us with no instance of a native army justifying such calculations, or forming an exception to the feelings and conduct of their countrymen at large. The first hint that Gustavus received of the revolution was the arrival of a courier to announce that the western army had broken up from its quarters, and was marching towards Stockholm. We conclude these extracts, and this article, with the following selection of passages, which contain a very spirited account of the revolution.

"On Sunday, the 12th of March, an extra post arrived with the proclamation of the western army, and a full account of their proceedings. The king was panic struck. In the afternoon he went from Haga to Stockholm. As soon as he entered the palace, the gates were shut-guards were placed at the different entrances of the town, who were commanded strictly to examine every person who entered, and allow no one to leave Stockholm. In the evening, an account of the approach of the western army was sent to all the public establishments. The night was passed in despatching the most contradictory orders. All the great officers of state were ordered to repair to Nyköping. The military were to depart from Stockholm, and one of the German regiments, with some artillery, was destined to oppose the western army. Baron Rozenblad, secretary of state, was called from his bed, and ordered to raise as much money as he could, by the sale of bills on England; and he in vain represented that at such an hour no business of that kind could be transacted. The commissioners of the bank were commanded to assemble at seven o'clock in the morning, and the proper officers were ordered to use every effort to collect the greatest possible number of horses." P. 213, 214.

The departure of the king from Stockholm would have been the signal for a civil war-and the preparations for it were therefore calculated to call forth the instant exertions of the confederates to save their country.

"The reputation which Baron Adlercreutz had acquired in the last campaign in Finland, pointed him out as the most proper person to lead the way in so dangerous an enterprise; and he willingly accepted the post of honour. The baron had a conference during the night with some officers, whom he appointed to meet him in the morning at the palace. He himself, and several others, were commanded to attend the king at eight o'clock in the morning of the 13th of March. "The unusual circumstance of shutting the gates of the palace, occasioned some surprise even in the lower classes of inhabitants; but, with those who were in the secret, all was confusion. General Helvig,

master of the ordnance, was commanded at his peril to have some artillery prepared to follow the king, although there were no horses proper for the purpose to be procured in Stockholm. The regiments in town were ordered to different places to be provided with ammunition and provisions; but were allowed so short a time that the provisions could not be distributed. Baron Rozenblad was sent to the commissioners of the bank to inform them of his majesty's desire to receive part of the money in their care, and to inquire of them whether they supposed the remainder to be in security. From this message, the king's intention might have been guessed; but it became evident, when his majesty afterwards said that he might as well take the money as leave it to the rebels.' The commissioners answered, that they had received their trust from the states of the kingdom, without whose authority they did not conceive themselves at liberty to surrender any part of the property of the bank, and that they did not suppose the bank to be in any danger.' It was easy to foresee the consequences of this answer; but before Baron Rozenblad could return to the palace, the revolution was accomplished.

"Baron Adlercreutz, Count Klingspor, Colonel Silfversparre, and many other officers, who had been informed of the intended revolution, assembled in the palace at eight o'clock in the morning. Upon inquiry Baron Adlercreutz was informed that only four of the life-guards remained in the palace, the rest having gone to prepare themselves for the journey. Little danger could be therefore apprehended from them, and about fifty officers were now in and about the palace, who were resolved to hazard the utmost extremity. The king had before ordered the gates to be shut, and no one was now permitted to leave the palace: officers were stationed in different parts, and a great number were assembled in the room adjoining the king's bed-chamber. Count Ugglas was first called in to his majesty. Soon after his royal highness Duke Charles arrived, and went in to his majesty just as Count Ugglas came out. Baron Adlercreutz begged of the count that he would remain; but he answered that he had received orders from the king which he must immediately execute. The baron, however, insisted that the count should not leave the palace, as a moment of infinite consequence now approached; and that the king must be prevented from leaving Stockholm. The count said that he had used every endeavour with the king, but to no purpose; and begged that any further remonstrance might be offered with caution. The baron answered that it was now intended to speak to the king in a manner which he hoped would be effectual. His royal highness then came out, and Count Klingspor was called in to his majesty; and, during the conversation, strongly represented to the king the imprudence of leaving his capital. Baron Adlercreutz now judged that the eventful moment was arrived: he sent to desire those who were stationed at the gates, and other parts of the palace, to be watchful on their posts, and, having assembled a number of officers, he entered the king's room. When the door opened the king seemed surprised, and the baron approached his majesty, and began to address him-he said, that the public mind was in the utmost irritation from the unfortunate circumstances of the country, and particularly

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from his majesty's intended departure from Stockholm: that the higher officers of state, and of the military, and the most respectable citizens, had encouraged him to represent the consequences to his majesty, for which purpose-The king here interrupted the baron, loudly exclaiming Treason! you are all corrupted, and shall be punished! The baron answered, calmly, we are no traitors, but wish to save your majesty, and our country.' The king immediately drew his sword, and the baron rushed upon him, and seized him round the waist, while Colonel Silfversparre took the sword from his majesty. The king then vociferated, they are going to murder me, help! help!'-They eudeavoured to reassure the king; and he promised to be more composed if they would return his sword-a request which they endeavoured to evade; and when the king obstinately insisted upon it, he was told that in this respect he could not be gratified, nor be permitted any more to interfere in the management of the kingdom.

"His majesty's outcries had alarmed some of the body-guard, who had just arrived, and servants of the palace, who endeavoured to force open the door; but not being able to succeed, they broke the upper panel with pokers and their sabres. At this moment, Baron Adlercreutz commanded the door to be opened, and rushed into the middle of the crowd-seized a sabre from a hussar-snatched from the adjutant. general his staff of office, and holding it up before him, said that he now considered himself as adjutant-general, and in that capacity commanded the guards immediately to retire. After some hesitation this command was obeyed; and several officers who were not in the con spiracy were put under arrest." P. 215-221.

The guards assembled in considerable numbers; and there was a moment when their conduct in this crisis seemed doubtful. The baron addressed them, and urged every thing that could be devised, to gain their concurrence, or at least prevail on them to be passive spectators of the scene. But they remained undetermined and the utmost that he could obtain was a promise of remaining quiet. If they did nothing to favour the revolution, they certainly did nothing to prevent it-and the citizens of Stockholm themselves mounted guard at the bank, and provided for the security of the town, and preservation of peace. In the mean time the king contrived to escape from the room where he was confined.

"When the king's escape was discovered, the greatest confusion and dismay prevailed among the authors of the revolution; and the most terrible consequences were apprehended. Every stair was crowded with people descending to the court of the palace to endeavour to intercept his majesty's flight. Greiff, keeper of the king's game, had precipitately descended the great stair, and was the first who reached the court, and perceived the king, with his sword in his hand, making towards the only gate which had been left open. As soon as Greiff overtook him, the king made a violent push at him;