INTRODUCTION
MaryWollstonecraftwasbornonthe27thofApril，1759.Herfather——aquick—temperedandunsettledman，capableofbeatingwife，orchild，ordog——wasthesonofamanufacturerwhomademoneyinSpitalfields，whenSpitalfieldswasprosperous.HermotherwasarigorousIrishwoman，oftheDixonsofBallyshannon.EdwardJohnWollstonecraft——ofwhosechildren，besidesMary，thesecondchild，threesonsandtwodaughterslivedtobemenandwomen——incourseofthegotridofabouttenthousandpounds，whichhadbeenlefthimbyhisfather.Hebegantogetridofitbyfarming.MaryWollstonecraft’sfirst—rememberedhomewasinafarmatEpping.
Whenshewasfiveyearsoldthefamilymovedtoanotherfarm，bytheChelmsfordRoad.Whenshewasbetweensixandsevenyearsoldtheymovedagain，totheneighbourhoodofBarking.Theretheyremainedthreeyearsbeforethenextmove，whichwastoafarmnearBeverley，inYorkshire.InYorkshiretheyremainedsixyears，andMaryWollstonecrafthadtherewhateducationfelltoherlotbetweentheagesoftenandsixteen.EdwardJohnWollstonecraftthengaveupfarmingtoventureuponacommercialspeculation.ThiscausedhimtoliveforayearandahalfatQueen’sRow，Hoxton.HisdaughterMarywasthensixteen;andwhileatHoxtonshehadhereducationadvancedbythefriendlycareofadeformedclergyman——aMr.Clare——
wholivednextdoor，andstayedsomuchathomethathisonepairofshoeshadlastedhimforfourteenyears.
ButMaryWollstonecraft’schieffriendatthistimewasanaccomplishedgirlonlytwoyearsolderthanherself，whomaintainedherfather，mother，andfamilybyskillindrawing.HernamewasFrancesBlood，andsheespecially，byherexampleanddirectinstruction，drewoutheryoungfriend’spowers.In1776，MaryWollstonecraft’sfather，arollingstone，rolledintoWales.Againhewasafarmer.NextyearagainhewasaLondoner;andMaryhadinfluenceenoughtopersuadehimtochooseahouseatWalworth，whereshewouldbeneartoherfriendFanny.Then，however，theconditionsofherhomelifecausedhertobeoftenonthepointofgoingawaytoearnalivingforherself.In1778，whenshewasnineteen，MaryWollstonecraftdidleavehome，totakeasituationascompanionwitharichtradesman’swidowatBath，ofwhomitwassaidthatnoneofhercompanionscouldstaywithher.MaryWollstonecraft，nevertheless，stayedtwoyearswiththedifficultwidow，andmadeherselfrespected.Hermother’sfailinghealththencausedMarytoreturntoher.ThefatherwasthenlivingatEnfield，andtryingtosavethesmallremainderofhismeansbynotventuringuponanybusinessatall.Themotherdiedafterlongsuffering，whollydependentonherdaughterMary’sconstantcare.
Themother’slastwordswereoftenquotedbyMaryWollstonecraftinherownlastyearsofdistress——\"Alittlepatience，andallwillbeover.\"
Afterthemother’sdeath，MaryWollstonecraftlefthomeagain，tolivewithherfriend，FannyBlood，whowasatWalhamGreen.In1782
shewenttonurseamarriedsisterthroughadangerousillness.Thefather’sneedofsupportnextpresseduponher.Hehadspentnotonlyhisownmoney，butalsothelittlethathadbeenspeciallyreservedforhischildren.Itissaidtobetheprivilegeofapassionatemanthathealwaysgetswhathewants;hegetstobeavoided，andtheyneverfindaconvenientcorneroftheirownwhoshutthemselvesoutfromthekindlyfellowshipoflife.
In1783MaryWollstonecraft——agedtwenty—four——withtwoofhersisters，joinedFannyBloodinsettingupadayschoolatIslington，whichwasremovedinafewmonthstoNewingtonGreen.Earlyin1785
FannyBlood，fargoneinconsumption，sailedforLisbontomarryanIrishsurgeonwhowassettledthere.Afterhermarriageitwasevidentthatshehadbutafewmonthstolive;MaryWollstonecraft，deaftoallopposingcounsel，thenleftherschool，and，withhelpofmoneyfromafriendlywoman，shewentouttonurseher，andwasbyherwhenshedied.MaryWollstonecraftrememberedherlosstenyearsafterwardsinthese\"LettersfromSwedenandNorway，\"whenshewrote：\"Thegravehasclosedoveradearfriend，thefriendofmyyouth;stillsheispresentwithme，andIhearhersoftvoicewarblingasIstrayovertheheath.\"
MaryWollstonecraftleftLisbonforEnglandlateinDecember，1785.
WhenshecamebackshefoundFanny’spoorparentsanxioustogobacktoIreland;andasshehadbeenoftentoldthatshecouldearnbywriting，shewroteapamphletof162smallpages——\"ThoughtsontheEducationofDaughters\"——andgottenpoundsforit.Thisshegavetoherfriend’sparentstoenablethemtogobacktotheirkindred.
Inallshedidthereisclearevidenceofanardent，generous，impulsivenature.OnedayherfriendFannyBloodhadrepinedattheunhappysurroundingsinthehomeshewasmaintainingforherfatherandmother，andlongedforalittlehomeofherowntodoherworkin.Herfriendquietlyfoundrooms，gotfurnituretogether，andtoldherthatherlittlehomewasready;shehadonlytowalkintoit.ThenitseemedstrangetoMaryWollstonecraftthatFannyBloodwaswithheldbythoughtsthathadnotbeenuppermostinthemoodofcomplaint.Shethoughtherfriendirresolute，whereshehadherselfbeengenerouslyrash.Herendwouldhavebeenhappierhadshebeenhelped，asmanyare，bythatcalminfluenceofhomeinwhichsomeknowledgeoftheworldpassesfromfatherandmothertosonanddaughter，withoutvisibleteachingandpreaching，ineasiestcompanionshipofyoungandoldfromdaytoday.
Thelittlepaymentforherpamphletonthe\"EducationofDaughters\"
causedMaryWollstonecrafttothinkmoreseriouslyofearningbyherpen.Thepamphletseemsalsotohaveadvancedhercreditasateacher.Aftergivingupherdayschool，shespentsomeweeksatEtonwiththeRev.Mr.Prior，oneofthemastersthere，whorecommendedherasgovernesstothedaughtersofLordKingsborough，anIrishviscount，eldestsonoftheEarlofKingston.Herwayofteachingwasbywinninglove，andsheobtainedthewarmaffectionoftheeldestofherpupils，whobecameafterwardsCountessMount—
Cashel.Inthesummerof1787，LordKingsborough’sfamily，includingMaryWollstonecraft，wasatBristolHot—wells，beforegoingtotheContinent.Whilethere，MaryWollstonecraftwroteherlittletalepublishedas\"Mary，aFiction，\"whereintherewasmuchbasedonthememoryofherownfriendshipforFannyBlood.
ThepublisherofMaryWollstonecraft’s\"ThoughtsontheEducationofDaughters\"wasthesameJosephJohnsonwhoin1785wasthepublisherofCowper’s\"Task.\"Withherlittlestorywrittenandalittlemoneysaved，theresolvetolivebyherpencouldnowbecarriedout.MaryWollstonecraft，therefore，partedfromherfriendsatBristol，wenttoLondon，sawherpublisher，andfranklytoldhimherdetermination.Hemetherwithfatherlykindness，andreceivedherasaguestinhishousewhileshewasmakingherarrangements.AtMichaelmas，1787，shesettledinahouseinGeorgeStreet，ontheSurreysideofBlackfriarsBridge.Theresheproducedalittlebookforchildren，of\"OriginalStoriesfromRealLife，\"andearnedbydrudgeryforJosephJohnson.Shetranslated，sheabridged，shemadeavolumeofSelections，andshewroteforan\"AnalyticalReview，\"
whichMr.Johnsonfoundedinthemiddleoftheyear1788.AmongthebookstranslatedbyherwasNecker\"OntheImportanceofReligiousOpinions.\"AmongthebooksabridgedbyherwasSalzmann’s\"ElementsofMorality.\"Withallthishardworkshelivedassparelyasshecould，thatshemighthelpherfamily.Shesupportedherfather.
Thatshemightenablehersisterstoearntheirlivingasteachers，shesentoneofthemtoParis，andmaintainedhertherefortwoyears;theothersheplacedinaschoolnearLondonasparlour—
boarderuntilshewasadmittedintoitasapaidteacher.SheplacedonebrotheratWoolwichtoqualifyfortheNavy，andheobtainedalieutenant’scommission.Foranotherbrother，articledtoanattorneywhomhedidnotlike，sheobtainedatransferofindentures;andwhenitbecameclearthathisquarrelwasmorewithlawthanwiththelawyers，sheplacedhimwithafarmerbeforefittinghimoutforemigrationtoAmerica.Shethensenthim，sowellpreparedforhisworktherethatheprosperedwell.Shetriedeventodisentangleherfather’saffairs;buttheconfusioninthemwasbeyondherpowersofarrangement.Addedtoallthisfaithfulwork，shetookuponherselfthechargeofanorphanchild，sevenyearsold，whosemotherhadbeeninthenumberofherfriends.ThatwasthelifeofMaryWollstonecraft，thirtyyearsold，in1789，theyearoftheFalloftheBastille;thenoblelifenowtobetouchedinitsenthusiasmsbythespiritoftheRevolution，tobecaughtinthegreatstorm，shattered，andlostamongitswrecks.
ToBurke’sattackontheFrenchRevolutionMaryWollstonecraftwroteanAnswer——oneofmanyanswersprovokedbyit——thatattractedmuchattention.Thiswasfollowedbyher\"VindicationoftheRightsofWomanwhiletheairwasfullofdeclamationonthe\"RightsofMan.\"
Theclaimsmadeinthislittlebookwereinadvanceoftheopinionofthatday，buttheyareclaimsthathaveinourdaybeenconceded.
Theyarecertainlynotrevolutionaryintheopinionoftheworldthathasbecomeahundredyearsoldersincethebookwaswritten.
AtthistheMaryWollstonecrafthadmovedtoroomsinStoreStreet，BedfordSquare.ShewasfascinatedbyFuselithepainter，andhewasamarriedman.Shefeltherselftobetoostronglydrawntowardshim，andshewenttoParisatthecloseoftheyear1792，tobreakthespell.Shefeltlonelyandsad，andwasnotthehappierforbeinginamansionlenttoher，fromwhichtheownerwasaway，andinwhichshelivedsurroundedbyhisservants.Strongwomanlyinstinctswereastirwithinher，andtheywerenotallwisefolkwhohadbeendrawnaroundherbyhergenerousenthusiasmforthenewhopesoftheworld，thatmadeitthen，asWordsworthfelt，averyheaventotheyoung.
FourmonthsaftershehadgonetoParis，MaryWollstonecraftmetatthehouseofamerchant，withwhosewifeshehadbecomeintimate，anAmericannamedGilbertImlay.Hewonheraffections.ThatwasinApril，1793.Hehadnomeans，andshehadhomeembarrassments，forwhichshewasunwillingthatheshouldbecomeinanywayresponsible.Apartofthenewdreaminsomemindsthenwasofalovetoopuretoneedorbearthebondageofauthority.Themereforcedunionofmarriagetiesimplied，itwassaid，adistrustoffidelity.WhenGilbertImlaywouldhavemarriedMaryWollstonecraft，sheherselfrefusedtobindhim;shewouldkeephimlegallyexemptfromherresponsibilitiestowardsthefather，sisters，brothers，whomshewassupporting.Shetookhisnameandcalledherselfhiswife，whentheFrenchConvention，indignantattheconductoftheBritishGovernment，issueadecreefromtheeffectsofwhichshewouldescapeasthewifeofacitizenoftheUnitedStates.Butshedidnotmarry.Shewitnessedmanyofthehorrorsthatcameoftheloosenedpassionsofanuntaughtpopulace.
Achildwasborntoher——agirlwhomshenamedafterthedeadfriendofherowngirlhood.Andthenshefoundthatshehadleantuponareed.Shewasneglected;andwasatlastforsaken.HavingsenthertoLondon，Imlaytherevisitedher，toexplainhimselfaway.Sheresolvedonsuicide，andindissuadingherfromthathegaveherhopeagain.Heneededsomebodywhohadgoodjudgment，andwhocaredforhisinterests，torepresenthiminsomebusinessaffairsinNorway.Sheundertooktoactforhim，andsetoutonthevoyageonlyaweekaftershehaddeterminedtodestroyherself.
Theinterestofthisbookwhichdescribeshertravelisquickenedbyaknowledgeoftheheart—sorrowthatunderliesitall.GilbertImlayhadpromisedtomeetheruponherreturn，andgowithhertoSwitzerland.ButthelettersshehadfromhiminSwedenandNorwaywerecold，andshecamebacktofindthatshewaswhollyforsakenforanactressfromastrollingcompanyofplayers.Thenshewentuptherivertodrownherself.ShepacedtheroadatPutneyonanOctobernight，in1795，inheavyrain，untilherclothesweredrenched，thatshemightsinkmoresurely，andthenthrewherselffromthetopofPutneyBridge.
Shewasrescued，andlivedonwithdeadenedspirit.In1796these\"LettersfromSwedenandNorway\"werepublished.Earlyin1797shewasmarriedtoWilliamGodwin.Onthe10thofSeptemberinthesameyear，attheageofthirty—eight，MaryWollstonecraftGodwindied，afterthebirthofthedaughterwholivedtobecomethewifeofShelley.Themotheralsowouldhavelived，ifawomanlyfeeling，initselftoberespected，hadnotledheralsotounwisedeparturefromthecustomsoftheworld.Peacebetohermemory.NonebutkindthoughtscandwelluponthelifeofthistoofaithfuldiscipleofRousseau.
H.M.
LETTERSWRITTENDURINGASHORTRESIDENCEINSWEDEN，NORWAY，AND
DENMARK.
LETTERI.
Elevendaysofwearinessonboardavesselnotintendedfortheaccommodationofpassengershavesoexhaustedmyspirits，tosaynothingoftheothercauses，withwhichyouarealreadysufficientlyacquainted，thatitiswithsomedifficultyIadheretomydeterminationofgivingyoumyobservations，asItravelthroughnewscenes，whilstwarmedwiththeimpressiontheyhavemadeonme.
Thecaptain，asImentionedtoyou，promisedtoputmeonshoreatArendallorGothenburginhiswaytoElsineur，butcontrarywindsobligedustopassbothplacesduringthenight.Inthemorning，however，afterwehadlostsightoftheentranceofthelatterbay，thevesselwasbecalmed;andthecaptain，toobligeme，hangingoutasignalforapilot，boredowntowardstheshore.
Myattentionwasparticularlydirectedtothelighthouse，andyoucanscarcelyimaginewithwhatanxietyIwatchedtwolonghoursforaboattoemancipateme;stillnooneappeared.Everycloudthatflittedonthehorizonwashailedasaliberator，tillapproachingnearer，likemostoftheprospectssketchedbyhope，itdissolvedundertheeyeintodisappointment.
Wearyofexpectation，Ithenbegantoconversewiththecaptainonthesubject，andfromthetenoroftheinformationmyquestionsdrewforthIsoonconcludedthatifIwaitedforaboatIhadlittlechanceofgettingonshoreatthisplace.Despotism，asisusuallythecase，Ifoundhadherecrampedtheindustryofman.Thepilotsbeingpaidbytheking，andscantily，theywillnotrunintoanydanger，orevenquittheirhovels，iftheycanpossiblyavoidit，onlytofulfilwhatistermedtheirduty.HowdifferentisitontheEnglishcoast，where，inthemoststormyweather，boatsimmediatelyhailyou，broughtoutbytheexpectationofextraordinaryprofit.
DislikingtosailforElsineur，andstillmoretolieatanchororcruiseaboutthecoastforseveraldays，Iexertedallmyrhetorictoprevailonthecaptaintoletmehavetheship’sboat，andthoughIaddedthemostforcibleofarguments，Iforalongtheaddressedhiminvain.
Itisakindofruleatseanottosendoutaboat.Thecaptainwasagood—naturedman;butmenwithcommonmindsseldombreakthroughgeneralrules.Prudenceisevertheresortofweakness，andtheyrarelygoasfarastheymayinanyundertakingwhoaredeterminednottogobeyonditonanyaccount.If，however，Ihadsometroublewiththecaptain，Ididnotlosemuchtimewiththesailors，forthey，allalacrity，hoistedouttheboatthemomentIobtainedpermission，andpromisedtorowmetothelighthouse.
Ididnotonceallowmyselftodoubtofobtainingaconveyancefromthenceroundtherocks——andthenawayforGothenburg——confinementissounpleasant.
Thedaywasfine，andIenjoyedthewatertill，approachingthelittleisland，poorMarguerite，whosetimidityalwaysactsasafeelerbeforeheradventuringspirit，begantowonderatournotseeinganyinhabitants.Ididnotlistentoher.Butwhen，onlanding，thesamesilenceprevailed，Icaughtthealarm，whichwasnotlessenedbythesightoftwooldmenwhomweforcedoutoftheirwretchedhut.Scarcelyhumanintheirappearance，wewithdifficultyobtainedanintelligiblereplytoourquestions，theresultofwhichwasthattheyhadnoboat，andwerenotallowedtoquittheirpostonanypretence.Buttheyinformedusthattherewasattheotherside，eightortenmilesover，apilot’sdwelling.
Twoguineastemptedthesailorstoriskthecaptain’sdispleasure，andoncemoreembarktorowmeover.
Theweatherwaspleasant，andtheappearanceoftheshoresograndthatIshouldhaveenjoyedthetwohoursittooktoreachit，butforthefatiguewhichwastoovisibleinthecountenancesofthesailors，who，insteadofutteringacomplaint，were，withthethoughtlesshilaritypeculiartothem，jokingaboutthepossibilityofthecaptain’stakingadvantageofaslightwesterlybreeze，whichwasspringingup，tosailwithoutthem.Yet，inspiteoftheirgoodhumour，Icouldnothelpgrowinguneasywhentheshore，receding，asitwere，asweadvanced，seemedtopromisenoendtotheirtoil.
Thisanxietyincreasedwhen，turningintothemostpicturesquebayI
eversaw，myeyessoughtinvainforthevestigeofahumanhabitation.BeforeIcoulddeterminewhatsteptotakeinsuchadilemma（forIcouldnotbeartothinkofreturningtotheship），thesightofabargerelievedme，andwehastenedtowardsitforinformation.Wewereimmediatelydirectedtopasssomejuttingrocks，whenweshouldseeapilot’shut.
Therewasasolemnsilenceinthisscenewhichmadeitselfbefelt.
Thesunbeamsthatplayedontheocean，scarcelyruffledbythelightestbreeze，contrastedwiththehugedarkrocks，thatlookedliketherudematerialsofcreationformingthebarrierofunwroughtspace，forciblystruckme，butIshouldnothavebeensorryifthecottagehadnotappearedequallytranquil.Approachingaretreatwherestrangers，especiallywomen，soseldomappeared，Iwonderedthatcuriositydidnotbringthebeingswhoinhabitedittothewindowsordoor.Ididnotimmediatelyrecollectthatmenwhoremainsonearthebrutecreation，asonlytoexertthemselvestofindthefoodnecessarytosustainlife，havelittleornoimaginationtocallforththecuriositynecessarytofructifythefaintglimmeringsofmindwhichentitlethemtorankaslordsofthecreation.Hadtheyeithertheycouldnotcontentedlyremainrootedintheclodstheysoindolentlycultivate.
Whilstthesailorswenttoseekforthesluggishinhabitants，theseconclusionsoccurredtome;and，recollectingtheextremefondnesswhichtheParisiansevertestifyfornovelty，theirverycuriosityappearedtomeaproofoftheprogresstheyhadmadeinrefinement.
Yes，intheartofliving——intheartofescapingfromthecareswhichembarrassthefirststepstowardstheattainmentofthepleasuresofsociallife.
Thepilotsinformedthesailorsthattheywereunderthedirectionofalieutenantretiredfromtheservice，whospokeEnglish;addingthattheycoulddonothingwithouthisorders，andeventheofferofmoneycouldhardlyconquertheirlazinessandprevailonthemtoaccompanyustohisdwelling.Theywouldnotgowithmealone，whichIwantedthemtohavedone，becauseIwishedtodismissthesailorsassoonaspossible.Oncemorewerowedoff，theyfollowingtardily，till，turningroundanotherboldprotuberanceoftherocks，wesawaboatmakingtowardsus，andsoonlearntthatitwasthelieutenanthimself，comingwithsomeearnestnesstoseewhowewere.
Tosavethesailorsanyfurthertoil，Ihadmybaggageinstantlyremovedintohisboat;for，ashecouldspeakEnglish，apreviousparleywasnotnecessary，thoughMarguerite’srespectformecouldhardlykeepherfromexpressingthefear，stronglymarkedonhercountenance，whichmyputtingourselvesintothepowerofastrangemanexcited.Hepointedouthiscottage;and，drawingneartoit，I
wasnotsorrytoseeafemalefigure，thoughIhadnot，likeMarguerite，beenthinkingofrobberies，murders，ortheotherevilwhichinstantly，asthesailorswouldhavesaid，runsfoulofawoman’simagination.
OnenteringIwasstillbetterpleasedtofindacleanhouse，withsomedegreeofruralelegance.Thebedswereofmuslin，coarseitistrue，butdazzlinglywhite;andthefloorwasstrewedoverwithlittlesprigsofjuniper（thecustom，asIafterwardsfound，ofthecountry），whichformedacontrastwiththecurtains，andproducedanagreeablesensationoffreshness，tosoftentheardourofnoon.
Stillnothingwassopleasingasthealacrityofhospitality——allthatthehouseaffordedwasquicklyspreadonthewhitestlinen.
Remember，Ihadjustleftthevessel，where，withoutbeingfastidious，Ihadcontinuallybeendisgusted.Fish，milk，butter，andcheese，and，Iamsorrytoadd，brandy，thebaneofthiscountry，werespreadontheboard.Afterwehaddinedhospitalitymadethem，withsomedegreeofmystery，bringussomeexcellentcoffee.Ididnotthenknowthatitwasprohibited.
Thegoodmanofthehouseapologisedforcomingincontinually，butdeclaredthathewassogladtospeakEnglishhecouldnotstayout.
Heneednothaveapologised;Iwasequallygladofhiscompany.
WiththewifeIcouldonlyexchangesmiles，andshewasemployedobservingthemakeofourclothes.Myhands，Ifound，hadfirstledhertodiscoverthatIwasthelady.Ihad，ofcourse，myquantumofreverences;forthepolitenessofthenorthseemstopartakeofthecoldnessoftheclimateandtherigidityofitsiron—sinewedrocks.Amongstthepeasantrythereis，however，somuchofthesimplicityofthegoldenageinthislandofflint——somuchoverflowingofheartandfellow—feeling，thatonlybenevolenceandthehonestsympathyofnaturediffusedsmilesovermycountenancewhentheykeptmestanding，regardlessofmyfatigue，whilsttheydroppedcourtesyaftercourtesy.
Thesituationofthishousewasbeautiful，thoughchosenforconvenience.Themasterbeingtheofficerwhocommandedallthepilotsonthecoast，andthepersonappointedtoguardwrecks，itwasnecessaryforhimtofixonaspotthatwouldoverlookthewholebay.Ashehadseensomeservice，hewore，notwithoutaprideI
thoughtbecoming，abadgetoprovethathehadmeritedwellofhiscountry.Itwashappy，Ithought，thathehadbeenpaidinhonour，forthestipendhereceivedwaslittlemorethantwelvepoundsayear.IdonottroublemyselforyouwiththecalculationofSwedishducats.Thus，myfriend，youperceivethenecessityofperquisites.Thissamenarrowpolicyrunsthrougheverything.I
shallhaveoccasionfurthertoanimadvertonit.
Thoughmyhostamusedmewithanaccountofhimself，whichgavemeaimideaofthemannersofthepeopleIwasabouttovisit，Iwaseagertoclimbtherockstoviewthecountry，andseewhetherthehonesttarshadregainedtheirship.Withthehelpofthelieutenant’stelescope，Isawthevesselunderwaywithafairthoughgentlegale.Theseawascalm，playfulevenasthemostshallowstream，andonthevastbasinIdidnotseeadarkspecktoindicatetheboat.Myconductorswereconsequentlyarrived.
Strayingfurther，myeyewasattractedbythesightofsomeheartseasethatpeepedthroughtherocks.Icaughtatitasagoodomen，andgoingtopreserveitinaletterthathadnotconveyedbalmtomyheart，acruelremembrancesuffusedmyeyes;butitpassedawaylikeanAprilshower.IfyouaredeepreadinShakespeare，youwillrecollectthatthiswasthelittlewesternflowertingedbylove’sdart，which\"maidenscallloveinidleness.\"
Thegaietyofmybabewasunmixed;regardlessofomensorsentiments，shefoundafewwildstrawberriesmoregratefulthanflowersorfancies.
Thelieutenantinformedmethatthiswasacommodiousbay.OfthatIcouldnotjudge，thoughIfeltitspicturesquebeauty.Rockswerepiledonrocks，formingasuitablebulwarktotheocean.\"Comenofurther，\"theyemphaticallysaid，turningtheirdarksidestothewavestoaugmenttheidleroar.Theviewwassterile;stilllittlepatchesofearthofthemostexquisiteverdure，enamelledwiththesweetestwildflowers，seemedtopromisethegoatsandafewstragglingcowsluxuriousherbage.Howsilentandpeacefulwasthescene！Igazedaroundwithrapture，andfeltmoreofthatspontaneouspleasurewhichgivescredibilitytoourexpectationofhappinessthanIhadforalong，longtimebefore.IforgotthehorrorsIhadwitnessedinFrance，whichhadcastagloomoverallnature，andsufferingtheenthusiasmofmycharacter——toooften，graciousGod！dampedbythetearsofdisappointedaffection——tobelightedupafresh，caretookwingwhilesimplefellow—feelingexpandedmyheart.
Toprolongthisenjoyment，Ireadilyassentedtotheproposalofourhosttopayavisittoafamily，themasterofwhichspokeEnglish，whowasthedrollestdoginthecountry，headded，repeatingsomeofhisstorieswithaheartylaugh.
Iwalkedon，stilldelightedwiththerudebeautiesofthescene;
forthesublimeoftengaveplaceimperceptiblytothebeautiful，dilatingtheemotionswhichwerepainfullyconcentrated.
Whenweenteredthisabode，thelargestIhadyetseen，Iwasintroducedtoanumerousfamily;butthefather，fromwhomIwasledtoexpectsomuchentertainment，wasabsent.Thelieutenantconsequentlywasobligedtobetheinterpreterofourreciprocalcompliments.Thephraseswereawkwardlytransmitted，itistrue;
butlooksandgesturesweresufficienttomakethemintelligibleandinteresting.Thegirlswereallvivacity，andrespectformecouldscarcelykeepthemfromrompingwithmyhost，who，askingforapinchofsnuff，waspresentedwithabox，outofwhichanartificialmouse，fastenedtothebottom，sprang.Thoughthistrickhaddoubtlessbeenplayedtheoutofmind，yetthelaughteritexcitedwasnotlessgenuine.
Theywereoverflowingwithcivility;but，topreventtheiralmostkillingmybabewithkindness，Iwasobligedtoshortenmyvisit;
andtwoorthreeofthegirlsaccompaniedus，bringingwiththemapartofwhateverthehouseaffordedtocontributetowardsrenderingmysuppermoreplentiful;andplentifulinfactitwas，thoughI
withdifficultydidhonourtosomeofthedishes，notrelishingthequantityofsugarandspicesputintoeverything.AtsuppermyhosttoldmebluntlythatIwasawomanofobservation，forIaskedhimMEN’SQUESTIONS.
Thearrangementsformyjourneywerequicklymade.Icouldonlyhaveacarwithpost—horses，asIdidnotchoosetowaittillacarriagecouldbesentfortoGothenburg.Theexpenseofmyjourney（aboutoneortwoandtwentyEnglishmiles）Ifoundwouldnotamounttomorethanelevenortwelveshillings，paying，heassuredme，generously.Igavehimaguineaandahalf.ButitwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatIcouldmakehimtakesomuch——indeedanything——formylodgingandfare.Hedeclaredthatitwasnexttorobbingme，explaininghowmuchIoughttopayontheroad.
However，asIwaspositive，hetooktheguineaforhimself;but，asacondition，insistedonaccompanyingme，topreventmymeetingwithanytroubleorimpositionontheway.
Ithenretiredtomyapartmentwithregret.ThenightwassofinethatIwouldgladlyhaverambledaboutmuchlonger，yet，recollectingthatImustriseveryearly，Ireluctantlywenttobed;
butmysenseshadbeensoawake，andmyimaginationstillcontinuedsobusy，thatIsoughtforrestinvain.Risingbeforesix，I
scentedthesweetmorningair;Ihadlongbeforeheardthebirdstwitteringtohailthedawningday，thoughitcouldscarcelyhavebeenallowedtohavedeparted.
Nothing，infact，canequalthebeautyofthenorthernsummer’seveningandnight，ifnightitmaybecalledthatonlywantstheglareofday，thefulllightwhichfrequentlyseemssoimpertinent，forIcouldwriteatmidnightverywellwithoutacandle.I
contemplatedallNatureatrest;therocks，evengrowndarkerintheirappearance，lookedasiftheypartookofthegeneralrepose，andreclinedmoreheavilyontheirfoundation.\"What，\"Iexclaimed，\"isthisactiveprinciplewhichkeepsmestillawake？Whyflymythoughtsabroad，wheneverythingaroundmeappearsathome？\"Mychildwassleepingwithequalcalmness——innocentandsweetastheclosingflowers.Somerecollections，attachedtotheideaofhome，mingledwithreflectionsrespectingthestateofsocietyIhadbeencontemplatingthatevening，madeateardropontherosycheekIhadjustkissed，andemotionsthattrembledonthebrinkofecstasyandagonygaveapoignancytomysensationswhichmademefeelmorealivethanusual.
Whataretheseimperioussympathies？Howfrequentlyhasmelancholyandevenmisanthropytakenpossessionofme，whentheworldhasdisgustedme，andfriendshaveprovedunkind.Ihavethenconsideredmyselfasaparticlebrokenofffromthegrandmassofmankind;Iwasalone，tillsomeinvoluntarysympatheticemotion，liketheattractionofadhesion，mademefeelthatIwasstillapartofamightywhole，fromwhichIcouldnotsevermyself——not，perhaps，forthereflectionhasbeencarriedveryfar，bysnappingthethreadofanexistence，whichlosesitscharmsinproportionasthecruelexperienceoflifestopsorpoisonsthecurrentoftheheart.Futurity，whathastthounottogivetothosewhoknowthatthereissuchathingashappiness！Ispeaknotofphilosophicalcontentment，thoughpainhasaffordedthemthestrongestconvictionofit.
Afterourcoffeeandmilk——forthemistressofthehousehadbeenrousedlongbeforeusbyherhospitality——mybaggagewastakenforwardinaboatbymyhost，becausethecarcouldnotsafelyhavebeenbroughttothehouse.
Theroadatfirstwasveryrockyandtroublesome，butourdriverwascareful，andthehorsesaccustomedtothefrequentandsuddenacclivitiesanddescents;sothat，notapprehendinganydanger，I
playedwithmygirl，whomIwouldnotleavetoMarguerite’scare，onaccountofhertimidity.
Stoppingatalittleinntobaitthehorses，IsawthefirstcountenanceinSwedenthatdispleasedme，thoughthemanwasbetterdressedthananyonewhohadasyetfalleninmyway.Analtercationtookplacebetweenhimandmyhost，thepurportofwhichIcouldnotguess，exceptingthatIwastheoccasionofit，beitwhatitwould.Thesequelwashisleavingthehouseangrily;andI
wasimmediatelyinformedthathewasthecustom—houseofficer.Theprofessionalhadindeedeffacedthenationalcharacter，for，livingashedidwithinthesefrankhospitablepeople，stillonlytheexcisemanappeared，thecounterpartofsomeIhadmetwithinEnglandandFrance.Iwasunprovidedwithapassport，nothavingenteredanygreattown.AtGothenburgIknewIcouldimmediatelyobtainone，andonlythetroublemademeobjecttothesearchingmytrunks.Heblusteredformoney;butthelieutenantwasdeterminedtoguardme，accordingtopromise，fromimposition.
Toavoidbeinginterrogatedatthetown—gate，andobligedtogointheraintogiveanaccountofmyself（merelyaform）beforewecouldgettherefreshmentwestoodinneedof，herequestedustodescend——Imighthavesaidstep——fromourcar，andwalkintotown.
Iexpectedtohavefoundatolerableinn，butwasusheredintoamostcomfortlessone;and，becauseitwasaboutfiveo’clock，threeorfourhoursaftertheirdininghour，Icouldnotprevailonthemtogivemeanythingwarmtoeat.
Theappearanceoftheaccommodationsobligedmetodeliveroneofmyrecommendatoryletters，andthegentlemantowhomitwasaddressedsenttolookoutforalodgingformewhilstIpartookofhissupper.Asnothingpassedatthissuppertocharacterisethecountry，Ishallhereclosemyletter.
Yourstruly.
LETTERII.
Gothenburgisacleanairytown，and，havingbeenbuiltbytheDutch，hascanalsrunningthrougheachstreet;andinsomeofthemtherearerowsoftreesthatwouldrenderitverypleasantwereitnotforthepavement，whichisintolerablybad.
Thereareseveralrichcommercialhouses——Scotch，French，andSwedish;buttheScotch，Ibelieve，havebeenthemostsuccessful.
ThecommerceandcommissionbusinesswithFrancesincethewarhasbeenverylucrative，andenrichedthemerchantsIamafraidattheexpenseoftheotherinhabitants，byraisingthepriceofthenecessariesoflife.
Asallthemenofconsequence——Imeanmenofthelargestfortune——
aremerchants，theirprincipalenjoymentisarelaxationfrombusinessatthetable，whichisspreadat，Ithink，tooearlyanhour（betweenoneandtwo）formenwhohaveletterstowriteandaccountstosettleafterpayingduerespecttothebottle.
However，whennumerouscirclesaretobebroughttogether，andwhenneitherliteraturenorpublicamusementsfurnishtopicsforconversation，agooddinnerappearstobetheonlycentretorallyround，especiallyasscandal，thezestofmoreselectparties，canonlybewhispered.Asforpolitics，Ihaveseldomfounditasubjectofcontinualdiscussioninacountrytowninanypartoftheworld.Thepoliticsoftheplace，beingonasmallerscale，suitsbetterwiththesizeoftheirfaculties;for，generallyspeaking，thesphereofobservationdeterminestheextentofthemind.
ThemoreIseeoftheworld，themoreIamconvincedthatcivilisationisablessingnotsufficientlyestimatedbythosewhohavenottraceditsprogress;foritnotonlyrefinesourenjoyments，butproducesavarietywhichenablesustoretaintheprimitivedelicacyofoursensations.Withouttheaidoftheimaginationallthepleasuresofthesensesmustsinkintogrossness，unlesscontinualnoveltyserveasasubstitutefortheimagination，which，beingimpossible，itwastothisweariness，I
suppose，thatSolomonalludedwhenhedeclaredthattherewasnothingnewunderthesun！——nothingforthecommonsensationsexcitedbythesenses.Yetwhowilldenythattheimaginationandunderstandinghavemademany，verymanydiscoveriessincethosedays，whichonlyseemharbingersofothersstillmorenobleandbeneficial？Inevermetwithmuchimaginationamongstpeoplewhohadnotacquiredahabitofreflection;andinthatstateofsocietyinwhichthejudgmentandtastearenotcalledforth，andformedbythecultivationoftheartsandsciences，littleofthatdelicacyoffeelingandthinkingistobefoundcharacterisedbythewordsentiment.Thewantofscientificpursuitsperhapsaccountsforthehospitality，aswellasforthecordialreceptionwhichstrangersreceivefromtheinhabitantsofsmalltowns.
Hospitalityhas，Ithink，beentoomuchpraisedbytravellersasaproofofgoodnessofheart，when，inmyopinion，indiscriminatehospitalityisratheracriterionbywhichyoumayformatolerableestimateoftheindolenceorvacancyofahead;or，inotherwords，afondnessforsocialpleasuresinwhichthemindnothavingitsproportionofexercise，thebottlemustbepushedabout.
TheseremarksareequallyapplicabletoDublin，themosthospitablecityIeverpassedthrough.ButIwilltrytoconfinemyobservationsmoreparticularlytoSweden.
ItistrueIhaveonlyhadaglanceoverasmallpartofit;yetofitspresentstateofmannersandacquirementsIthinkIhaveformedadistinctidea，withouthavingvisitedthecapital——where，infact，lessofanationalcharacteristobefoundthanintheremotepartsofthecountry.
TheSwedespiquethemselvesontheirpoliteness;butfarfrombeingthepolishofacultivatedmind，itconsistsmerelyoftiresomeformsandceremonies.Sofar，indeed，fromenteringimmediatelyintoyourcharacter，andmakingyoufeelinstantlyatyourease，likethewell—bredFrench，theirover—actedcivilityisacontinualrestraintonallyouractions.Thesortofsuperioritywhichafortunegiveswhenthereisnosuperiorityofeducation，exceptingwhatconsistsintheobservanceofsenselessforms，hasacontraryeffectthanwhatisintended;sothatIcouldnothelpreckoningthepeasantrythepolitestpeopleofSweden，who，onlyaimingatpleasingyou，neverthinkofbeingadmiredfortheirbehaviour.
Theirtables，liketheircompliments，seemequallyacaricatureoftheFrench.Thedishesarecomposed，aswellastheirs，ofavarietyofmixturestodestroythenativetasteofthefoodwithoutbeingasrelishing.Spicesandsugarareputintoeverything，evenintothebread;andtheonlywayIcanaccountfortheirpartialitytohigh—seasoneddishesistheconstantuseofsaltedprovisions.
Necessityobligesthemtolayupastoreofdriedfishandsaltedmeatforthewinter;andinsummer，freshmeatandfishtasteinsipidafterthem.Towhichmaybeaddedtheconstantuseofspirits.Everyday，beforedinnerandsupper，evenwhilstthedishesarecoolingonthetable，menandwomenrepairtoaside—
table;andtoobtainanappetiteeatbread—and—butter，cheese，rawsalmon，oranchovies，drinkingaglassofbrandy.Saltfishormeatthenimmediatelyfollows，togiveafurtherwhettothestomach.Asthedinneradvances，pardonmefortakingupafewminutestodescribewhat，alas！hasdetainedmetwoorthreehoursonthestretchobserving，dishafterdishischanged，inendlessrotation，andhandedroundwithsolemnpacetoeachguest;butshouldyouhappennottolikethefirstdishes，whichwasoftenmycase，itisagrossbreachofpolitenesstoaskforpartofanyothertillitsturncomes.Buthavepatience，andtherewillbeeatingenough.
Allowmetorunovertheactsofavisitingday，notoverlookingtheinterludes.
Preludealuncheon——thenasuccessionoffish，flesh，andfowlfortwohours，duringwhichtimethedessert——Iwassorryforthestrawberriesandcream——restsonthetabletobeimpregnatedbythefumesoftheviands.Coffeeimmediatelyfollowsinthedrawing—
room，butdoesnotprecludepunch，ale，teaandcakes，rawsalmon，&c.Asupperbringsuptherear，notforgettingtheintroductoryluncheon，almostequallinginremovesthedinner.Adayofthiskindyouwouldimaginesufficient;butato—morrowandato—morrow——
Anever—ending，still—beginningfeastmaybebearable，perhaps，whensternwinterfrowns，shakingwithchillingaspecthishoarylocks;
butduringasummer，sweetasfleeting，letme，mykindstrangers，escapesometimesintoyourfirgroves，wanderonthemarginofyourbeautifullakes，orclimbyourrocks，toviewstillothersinendlessperspective，which，piledbymorethangiant’shand，scaletheheavenstointerceptitsrays，ortoreceivethepartingtingeoflingeringday——daythat，scarcelysofteneduntotwilight，allowsthefresheningbreezetowake，andthemoontoburstforthinallherglorytoglidewithsolemnelegancethroughtheazureexpanse.
Thecow’sbellhasceasedtotinkletheherdtorest;theyhaveallpacedacrosstheheath.Isnotthisthewitchingtimeofnight？
Thewatersmurmur，andfallwithmorethanmortalmusic，andspiritsofpeacewalkabroadtocalmtheagitatedbreast.Eternityisinthesemoments.Worldlycaresmeltintotheairystuffthatdreamsaremadeof，andreveries，mildandenchantingasthefirsthopesofloveortherecollectionoflostenjoyment，carrythehaplesswightintofuturity，whoinbustlinglifehasvainlystrovetothrowoffthegriefwhichliesheavyattheheart.Goodnight！Acrescenthangsoutinthevaultbefore，whichwoosmetostrayabroad.Itisnotasilveryreflectionofthesun，butglowswithallitsgoldensplendour.Whofearsthefallendew？Itonlymakesthemowngrasssmellmorefragrant.Adieu！
LETTERIII.
ThepopulationofSwedenhasbeenestimatedfromtwomillionsandahalftothreemillions;asmallnumberforsuchanimmensetractofcountry，ofwhichonlysomuchiscultivated——andthatinthesimplestmanner——asisabsolutelyrequisitetosupplythenecessariesoflife;andneartheseashore，whenceherringsareeasilyprocured，therescarcelyappearsavestigeofcultivation.
Thescatteredhutsthatstandshiveringonthenakedrocks，bravingthepitilesselements，areformedoflogsofwoodrudelyhewn;andsolittlepainsaretakenwiththecraggyfoundationthatnothinghikeapathwaypointsoutthedoor.
Gatheredintohimselfbythecold，loweringhisvisagetoavoidthecuttingblast，isitsurprisingthatthechurlishpleasureofdrinkingdramstakesplaceofsocialenjoymentsamongstthepoor，especiallyifwetakeintotheaccountthattheymostlyliveonhigh—seasonedprovisionandryebread？Hardenough，youmayimagine，asitisbakedonlyonceayear.Theservantsalso，inmostfamilies，eatthiskindofbread，andhaveadifferentkindoffoodfromtheirmasters，which，inspiteofalltheargumentsIhaveheardtovindicatethecustom，appearstomearemnantofbarbarism.
Infact，thesituationoftheservantsineveryrespect，particularlythatofthewomen，showshowfartheSwedesarefromhavingajustconceptionofrationalequality.Theyarenottermedslaves;yetamanmaystrikeamanwithimpunitybecausehepayshimwages，thoughthesewagesaresolowthatnecessitymustteachthemtopilfer，whilstservilityrendersthemfalseandboorish.Stillthemenstandupforthedignityofmanbyoppressingthewomen.
Themostmenial，andevenlaboriousoffices，arethereforelefttothesepoordrudges.MuchofthisIhaveseen.Inthewinter，Iamtold，theytakethelinendowntotherivertowashitinthecoldwater，andthoughtheirhands，cutbytheice，arecrackedandbleeding，themen，theirfellow—servants，willnotdisgracetheirmanhoodbycarryingatubtolightentheirburden.
Youwillnotbesurprisedtohearthattheydonotwearshoesorstockings，whenIinformyouthattheirwagesareseldommorethantwentyorthirtyshillingsperannum.Itisthecustom，Iknow，togivethemanewyear’sgiftandapresentatsomeotherperiod，butcanitallamounttoajustindemnityfortheirlabour？Thetreatmentofservantsinmostcountries，Igrant，isveryunjust，andinEngland，thatboastedlandoffreedom，itisoftenextremelytyrannical.Ihavefrequently，withindignation，heardgentlemendeclarethattheywouldneverallowaservanttoanswerthem;andladiesofthemostexquisitesensibility，whowerecontinuallyexclaimingagainstthecrueltyofthevulgartothebrutecreation，haveinmypresenceforgotthattheirattendantshadhumanfeelingsaswellasforms.Idonotknowamoreagreeablesightthantoseeservantspartofafamily.Bytakinganinterest，generallyspeaking，intheirconcernsyouinspirethemwithoneforyours.Wemustloveourservants，orweshallneverbesufficientlyattentivetotheirhappiness;andhowcanthosemastersbeattentivetotheirhappinesswho，livingabovetheirfortunes，aremoreanxioustooutshinetheirneighboursthantoallowtheirhouseholdtheinnocentenjoymentstheyearn？
Itis，infact，muchmoredifficultforservants，whoaretantalisedbyseeingandpreparingthedaintiesofwhichtheyarenottopartake，toremainhonest，thanthepoor，whosethoughtsarenotledfromtheirhomelyfare;sothat，thoughtheservantsherearecommonlythieves，youseldomhearofhousebreaking，orrobberyonthehighway.Thecountryis，perhaps，toothinlyinhabitedtoproducemanyofthatdescriptionofthievestermedfootpads，orhighwaymen.Theyareusuallythespawnofgreatcities——theeffectofthespuriousdesiresgeneratedbywealth，ratherthanthedesperatestrugglesofpovertytoescapefrommisery.
Theenjoymentofthepeasantrywasdrinkingbrandyandcoffee，beforethelatterwasprohibited，andtheformernotallowedtobeprivatelydistilled，thewarscarriedonbythelatekingrenderingitnecessarytoincreasetherevenue，andretainthespecieinthecountrybyeverypossiblemeans.
ThetaxesbeforethereignofCharlesXII.wereinconsiderable.
Sincethentheburdenhascontinuallybeengrowingheavier，andthepriceofprovisionshasproportionatelyincreased——nay，theadvantageaccruingfromtheexportationofcorntoFranceandryetoGermanywillprobablyproduceascarcityinbothSwedenandNorway，shouldnotapeaceputastoptoitthisautumn，forspeculationsofvariouskindshavealreadyalmostdoubledtheprice.
Sucharetheeffectsofwar，thatitsapsthevitalsevenoftheneutralcountries，who，obtainingasuddeninfluxofwealth，appeartoberenderedflourishingbythedestructionwhichravagesthehaplessnationswhoaresacrificedtotheambitionoftheirgovernors.Ishallnot，however，dwellonthevices，thoughtheybeofthemostcontemptibleandembrutingcast，towhichasuddenaccessionoffortunegivesbirth，becauseIbelieveitmaybedeliveredasanaxiom，thatitisonlyinproportiontotheindustrynecessarytoacquirewealththatanationisreallybenefitedbyit.
Theprohibitionofdrinkingcoffeeunderapenalty，andtheencouragementgiventopublicdistilleries，tendtoimpoverishthepoor，whoarenotaffectedbythesumptuarylaws;fortheregenthaslatelylaidverysevererestraintsonthearticlesofdress，whichthemiddlingclassofpeoplefoundgrievous，becauseitobligedthemtothrowasidefinerythatmighthavelastedthemfortheirlives.
Thesemaybetermedvexatious;stillthedeathoftheking，bysavingthemfromtheconsequenceshisambitionwouldnaturallyhaveentailedonthem，maybereckonedablessing.
Besides，theFrenchRevolutionhasnotonlyrenderedallthecrownedheadsmorecautious，buthassodecreasedeverywhere（exceptingamongstthemselves）arespectfornobility，thatthepeasantryhavenotonlylosttheirblindreverencefortheirseigniors，butcomplaininamanlystyleofoppressionswhichbeforetheydidnotthinkofdenominatingsuch，becausetheyweretaughttoconsiderthemselvesasadifferentorderofbeings.And，perhaps，theeffortswhichthearistocratsaremakinghere，aswellasineveryotherpartofEurope，tosecuretheirsway，willbethemosteffectualmodeofunderminingit，takingintothecalculationthattheKingofSweden，likemostofthepotentatesofEurope，hascontinuallybeenaugmentinghispowerbyencroachingontheprivilegesofthenobles.
Thewell—bredSwedesofthecapitalareformedontheancientFrenchmodel，andtheyingeneralspeakthatlanguage;fortheyhaveaknackatacquiringlanguageswithtolerablefluency.Thismaybereckonedanadvantageinsomerespects;butitpreventsthecultivationoftheirown，andanyconsiderableadvanceinliterarypursuits.
Asensiblewriterhaslatelyobserved（Ihavenothisworkbyme，thereforecannotquotehisexactwords），\"ThattheAmericansverywiselylettheEuropeansmaketheirbooksandfashionsforthem.\"
ButIcannotcoincidewithhiminthisopinion.Thereflectionnecessarytoproduceacertainnumberevenoftolerableproductionsaugmentsmorethanheisawareofthemassofknowledgeinthecommunity.Desultoryreadingiscommonlyamerepastime.Butwemusthaveanobjecttoreferourreflectionsto，ortheywillseldomgobelowthesurface.Asintravelling，thekeepingofajournalexcitestomanyusefulinquiriesthatwouldnothavebeenthoughtofhadthetravelleronlydeterminedtoseeallhecouldsee，withouteveraskinghimselfforwhatpurpose.Besides，theverydabblinginliteraturefurnishesharmlesstopicsofconversation;forthenothavingsuchsubjectsathand，thoughtheyareofteninsupportablyfatiguing，renderstheinhabitantsoflittletownspryingandcensorious.Idleness，ratherthanill—nature，givesbirthtoscandal，andtotheobservationoflittleincidentswhichnarrowsthemind.Itisfrequentlyonlythefearofbeingtalkedofwhichproducesthatpuerilescrupulosityabouttriflesincompatiblewithanenlargedplanofusefulness，andwiththebasisofallmoralprinciples——respectforthevirtueswhicharenotmerelythevirtuesofconvention.
Iam，myfriend，moreandmoreconvincedthatametropolis，oranabodeabsolutelysolitary，isthebestcalculatedfortheimprovementoftheheart，aswellastheunderstanding;whetherwedesiretobecomeacquaintedwithman，nature，orourselves.Mixingwithmankind，weareobligedtoexamineourprejudices，andoftenimperceptiblylose，asweanalysethem.Andinthecountry，growingintimatewithnature，athousandlittlecircumstances，unseenbyvulgareyes，givebirthtosentimentsdeartotheimagination，andinquirieswhichexpandthesoul，particularlywhencultivationhasnotsmoothedintoinsipidityallitsoriginalityofcharacter.
Ilovethecountry，yetwheneverIseeapicturesquesituationchosenonwhichtoerectadwellingIamalwaysafraidoftheimprovements.Itrequiresuncommontastetoformawhole，andtointroduceaccommodationsandornamentsanalogouswiththesurrounding—scene.
Itvisited，nearGothenburg，ahousewithimprovedlandaboutit，withwhichIwasparticularlydelighted.Itwasclosetoalakeembosomedinpine—cladrocks.Inonepartofthemeadowsyoureyewasdirectedtothebroadexpanse，inanotheryouwereledintoashade，toseeapartofit，intheformofariver，rushamongstthefragmentsofrocksandrootsoftrees;nothingseemedforced.Onerecess，particularlygrandandsolemnamongstthetoweringcliffs，hadarudestonetableandseatplacedinit，thatmighthaveservedforaDruid’shaunt，whilstaplacidstreambelowenlivenedtheflowersonitsmargin，wherelight—footedelveswouldgladlyhavedancedtheirairyrounds.
Herethehandoftastewasconspicuousthoughnotobtrusive，andformedacontrastwithanotherabodeinthesameneighbourhood，onwhichmuchmoneyhadbeenlavished;whereItaliancolonnadeswereplacedtoexcitethewonderoftherudecrags，andastonestaircase，tothreatenwithdestructionawoodenhouse.VenusesandApolloscondemnedtoliehidinsnowthreepartsoftheyearseemedequallydisplaced，andcalledtheattentionofffromthesurroundingsublimity，withoutinspiringanyvoluptuoussensations.Yeteventheseabortionsofvanityhavebeenuseful.Numberlessworkmenhavebeenemployed，andthesuperintendingartisthasimprovedthelabourers，whoseunskilfulnesstormentedhim，byobligingthemtosubmittothedisciplineofrules.Adieu！
Yoursaffectionately.
LETTERIV.
TheseverityofthelongSwedishwintertendstorenderthepeoplesluggish，forthoughthisseasonhasitspeculiarpleasures，toomuchtimeisemployedtoguardagainstitsinclemency.Stillaswarmclothingisabsolutelynecessary，thewomenspinandthemenweave，andbytheseexertionsgetafencetokeepoutthecold.I
haverarelypassedaknotofcottageswithoutseeingclothlaidouttobleach，andwhenIentered，alwaysfoundthewomenspinningorknitting.
Amistakentenderness，however，fortheirchildren，makesthemeveninsummerloadthemwithflannels，andhavingasortofnaturalantipathytocoldwater，thesqualidappearanceofthepoorbabes，nottospeakofthenoxioussmellwhichflannelandrugsretain，seemsareplytoaquestionIhadoftenasked——WhyIdidnotseemorechildreninthevillagesIpassedthrough？Indeedthechildrenappeartobeniptinthebud，havingneitherthegracesnorcharmsoftheirage.Andthis，Iampersuaded，ismuchmoreowingtotheignoranceofthemothersthantotherudenessoftheclimate.
Renderedfeeblebythecontinualperspirationtheyarekeptin，whilsteveryporeisabsorbingunwholesomemoisture，theygivethem，evenatthebreast，brandy，saltfish，andeveryothercrudesubstancewhichairandexerciseenablestheparenttodigest.
Thewomenoffortunehere，aswellaseverywhereelse，havenursestosuckletheirchildren;andthetotalwantofchastityinthelowerclassofwomenfrequentlyrendersthemveryunfitforthetrust.
YouhavesometimesremarkedtomethedifferenceofthemannersofthecountrygirlsinEnglandandinAmerica;attributingthereserveoftheformertotheclimate——totheabsenceofgenialsuns.Butitmustbetheirstars，notthezephyrs，gentlystealingontheirsenses，whichhereleadfrailwomenastray.Whocanlookattheserocks，andallowthevoluptuousnessofnaturetobeanexcuseforgratifyingthedesiresitinspires？Wemusttherefore，findsomeothercausebesidevoluptuousness，Ibelieve，toaccountfortheconductoftheSwedishandAmericancountrygirls;forIamledtoconclude，fromalltheobservationsIhavemade，thatthereisalwaysamixtureofsentimentandimaginationinvoluptuousness，towhichneitherofthemhavemuchpretension.
ThecountrygirlsofIrelandandWalesequallyfeelthefirstimpulseofnature，which，restrainedinEnglandbyfearordelicacy，provesthatsocietyisthereinamoreadvancedstate.Besides，asthemindiscultivated，andtastegainsground，thepassionsbecomestronger，andrestonsomethingmorestablethanthecasualsympathiesofthemoment.Healthandidlenesswillalwaysaccountforpromiscuousamours;andinsomedegreeItermeverypersonidle，theexerciseofwhoseminddoesnotbearsomeproportiontothatofthebody.
TheSwedishladiesexerciseneithersufficiently;ofcourse，growveryfatatanearlyage;andwhentheyhavenotthisdownyappearance，acomfortableidea，youwillsay，inacoldclimate，theyarenotremarkableforfineforms.Theyhave，however，mostlyfinecomplexions;butindolencemakesthelilysoondisplacetherose.Thequantityofcoffee，spices，andotherthingsofthatkind，withwantofcare，almostuniversallyspoiltheirteeth，whichcontrastbutillwiththeirrubylips.
ThemannersofStockholmarerefined，Ihear，bytheintroductionofgallantry;butinthecountry，rompingandcoarsefreedoms，withcoarserallusions，keepthespiritsawake.Inthearticleofcleanliness，thewomenofalldescriptionsseemverydeficient;andtheirdressshowsthatvanityismoreinherentinwomenthantaste.
Themenappeartohavepaidstilllesscourttothegraces.Theyarearobust，healthyrace，distinguishedfortheircommonsenseandturnforhumour，ratherthanforwitorsentiment.Iincludenot，asyoumaysuppose，inthisgeneralcharacter，someofthenobilityandofficers，whohavingtravelled，arepoliteandwellinformed.
Imustowntoyouthatthelowerclassofpeoplehereamuseandinterestmemuchmorethanthemiddling，withtheirapishgoodbreedingandprejudices.Thesympathyandfranknessofheartconspicuousinthepeasantryproducesevenasimplegracefulnessofdeportmentwhichhasfrequentlystruckmeasverypicturesque;I
haveoftenalsobeentouchedbytheirextremedesiretoobligeme，whenIcouldnotexplainmywants，andbytheirearnestmannerofexpressingthatdesire.Thereissuchacharmintenderness！Itissodelightfultoloveourfellow—creatures，andmeetthehonestaffectionsastheybreakforth.Still，mygoodfriend，IbegintothinkthatIshouldnotliketolivecontinuallyinthecountrywithpeoplewhosemindshavesuchanarrowrange.Myheartwouldfrequentlybeinterested;butmymindwouldlanguishformorecompanionablesociety.
Thebeautiesofnatureappeartomenowevenmorealluringthaninmyyouth，becausemyintercoursewiththeworldhasformedwithoutvitiatingmytaste.But，withrespecttotheinhabitantsofthecountry，myfancyhasprobably，whendisgustedwithartificialmanners，solaceditselfbyjoiningtheadvantagesofcultivationwiththeinterestingsincerityofinnocence，forgettingthelassitudethatignorancewillnaturallyproduce.Iliketoseeanimalssporting，andsympathiseintheirpainsandpleasures.
StillIlovesometimestoviewthehumanfacedivine，andtracethesoul，aswellastheheart，initsvaryinglineaments.
Ajourneytothecountry，whichImustshortlymake，willenablemetoextendmyremarks.——Adieu！
LETTERV.
HadIdeterminedtotravelinSwedenmerelyforpleasure，IshouldprobablyhavechosentheroadtoStockholm，thoughconvinced，byrepeatedobservation，thatthemannersofapeoplearebestdiscriminatedinthecountry.Theinhabitantsofthecapitalareallofthesamegenus;forthevarietiesinthespecieswemust，therefore，searchwherethehabitationsofmenaresoseparatedastoallowthedifferenceofclimatetohaveitsnaturaleffect.Andwiththisdifferenceweare，perhaps，mostforciblystruckatthefirstview，justasweformanestimateoftheleadingtraitsofacharacteratthefirstglance，ofwhichintimacyafterwardsmakesusalmostlosesight.
AsmyaffairscalledmetoStromstad（thefrontiertownofSweden）
inmywaytoNorway，Iwastopassover，Iheard，themostuncultivatedpartofthecountry.StillIbelievethatthegrandfeaturesofSwedenarethesameeverywhere，anditisonlythegrandfeaturesthatadmitofdescription.Thereisanindividualityineveryprospect，whichremainsinthememoryasforciblydepictedastheparticularfeaturesthathavearrestedourattention;yetwecannotfindwordstodiscriminatethatindividualitysoastoenableastrangertosay，thisistheface，thattheview.Wemayamusebysettingtheimaginationtowork;butwecannotstorethememorywithafact.
AsIwishtogiveyouageneralideaofthiscountry，Ishallcontinueinmydesultorymannertomakesuchobservationsandreflectionsasthecircumstancesdrawforth，withoutlosingtime，byendeavouringtoarrangethem.
TravellinginSwedenisverycheap，andevencommodious，ifyoumakebuttheproperarrangements.Here，asinotherpartsoftheContinent，itisnecessarytohaveyourowncarriage，andtohaveaservantwhocanspeakthelanguage，ifyouareunacquaintedwithit.
Sometimesaservantwhocandrivewouldbefoundveryuseful，whichwasourcase，forItravelledincompanywithtwogentlemen，oneofwhomhadaGermanservantwhodroveverywell.Thiswasalltheparty;fornotintendingtomakealongstay，Ileftmylittlegirlbehindme.
Astheroadsarenotmuchfrequented，toavoidwaitingthreeorfourhoursforhorses，wesent，asistheconstantcustom，anavantcourierthenightbefore，toorderthemateverypost，andweconstantlyfoundthemready.OurfirstsetIjokinglytermedrequisitionhorses;butafterwardswehadalmostalwayslittlespiritedanimalsthatwentonataroundpace.
Theroads，makingallowancefortheupsanddowns，areuncommonlygoodandpleasant.Theexpense，includingthepostillionsandotherincidentalthings，doesnotamounttomorethanashillingtheSwedishmile.
Theinnsaretolerable;butnotlikingtheryebread，IfounditnecessarytofurnishmyselfwithsomewheatenbeforeIsetout.Thebeds，too，wereparticularlydisagreeabletome.ItseemedtomethatIwassinkingintoagravewhenIenteredthem;for，immersedindownplacedinasortofbox，Iexpectedtobesuffocatedbeforemorning.Thesleepingbetweentwodownbeds——theydosoeveninsummer——mustbeveryunwholesomeduringanyseason;andIcannotconceivehowthepeoplecanbearit，especiallyasthesummersareverywarm.Butwarmththeyseemnottofeel;and，Ishouldthink，wereafraidoftheair，byalwayskeepingtheirwindowsshut.Inthewinter，Iampersuaded，Icouldnotexistinroomsthusclosedup，withstovesheatedintheirmanner，fortheyonlyputwoodintothemtwiceaday;and，whenthestoveisthoroughlyheated，theyshuttheflue，notadmittinganyairtorenewitselasticity，evenwhentheroomsarecrowdedwithcompany.Thesestovesaremadeofearthenware，andofteninaformthatornamentsanapartment，whichisneverthecasewiththeheavyirononesIhaveseenelsewhere.
Stovesmaybeeconomical，butIlikeafire，awoodone，inpreference;andIamconvincedthatthecurrentofairwhichitattractsrendersthisthebestmodeofwarmingrooms.
WearrivedearlythesecondeveningatalittlevillagecalledQuistram，wherewehaddeterminedtopassthenight，havingbeeninformedthatweshouldnotafterwardsfindatolerableinnuntilwereachedStromstad.
AdvancingtowardsQuistram，asthesunwasbeginningtodecline，I
wasparticularlyimpressedbythebeautyofthesituation.Theroadwasonthedeclivityofarockymountain，slightlycoveredwithamossyherbageandvagrantfirs.Atthebottom，ariver，stragglingamongsttherecessesofstone，washasteningforwardtotheoceananditsgreyrocks，ofwhichwehadaprospectontheleft;whilstontherightitstolepeacefullyforwardintothemeadows，losingitselfinathickly—woodedrisingground.Aswedrewnear，theloveliestbanksofwildflowersvariegatedtheprospect，andpromisedtoexhaleodourstoaddtothesweetnessoftheair，thepurityofwhichyoucouldalmostsee，alas！notsmell，fortheputrefyingherrings，whichtheyuseasmanure，aftertheoilhasbeenextracted，spreadoverthepatchesofearth，claimedbycultivation，destroyedeveryother.
Itwasintolerable，andenteredwithusintotheinn，whichwasinotherrespectsacharmingretreat.
WhilstsupperwaspreparingIcrossedthebridge，andstrolledbytheriver，listeningtoitsmurmurs.Approachingthebank，thebeautyofwhichhadattractedmyattentioninthecarriage，I
recognisedmanyofmyoldacquaintancegrowingwithgreatluxuriance.
Seatedonit，Icouldnotavoidnotinganobviousremark.Swedenappearedtomethecountryintheworldmostpropertoformthebotanistandnaturalhistorian;everyobjectseemedtoremindmeofthecreationofthings，ofthefirsteffortsofsportivenature.
Whenacountryarrivesatacertainstateofperfection，itlooksasifitweremadeso;andcuriosityisnotexcited.Besides，insociallifetoomanyobjectsoccurforanytobedistinctlyobservedbythegeneralityofmankind;yetacontemplativeman，orpoet，inthecountry——Idonotmeanthecountryadjacenttocities——feelsandseeswhatwouldescapevulgareyes，anddrawssuitableinferences.
Thistrainofreflectionsmighthaveledmefurther，ineverysenseoftheword;butIcouldnotescapefromthedetestableevaporationoftheherrings，whichpoisonedallmypleasure.
Aftermakingatolerablesupper——foritisnoteasytogetfreshprovisionsontheroad——Iretired，tobelulledtosleepbythemurmuringofastream，ofwhichIwithgreatdifficultyobtainedsufficienttoperformmydailyablutions.
ThelastbattlebetweentheDanesandSwedes，whichgavenewlifetotheirancientenmity，wasfoughtatthisplace1788;onlyseventeenoreighteenwerekilled，forthegreatsuperiorityoftheDanesandNorwegiansobligedtheSwedestosubmit;butsickness，andascarcityofprovision，provedveryfataltotheiropponentsontheirreturn.
Itwouldbeveryeasytosearchfortheparticularsofthisengagementinthepublicationsoftheday;butasthismanneroffillingmypagesdoesnotcomewithinmyplan，Iprobablyshouldnothaveremarkedthatthebattlewasfoughthere，wereitnottorelateananecdotewhichIhadfromgoodauthority.
Inoticed，whenIfirstmentionedthisplacetoyou，thatwedescendedasteepbeforewecametotheinn;animmenseridgeofrocksstretchingoutononeside.Theinnwasshelteredunderthem;
andaboutahundredyardsfromitwasabridgethatcrossedtheriver，themurmursofwhichIhavecelebrated;itwasnotfordable.
TheSwedishgeneralreceivedorderstostopatthebridgeanddisputethepassage——amostadvantageouspostforanarmysomuchinferiorinforce;buttheinfluenceofbeautyisnotconfinedtocourts.Themistressoftheinnwashandsome;whenIsawhertherewerestillsomeremainsofbeauty;and，topreserveherhouse，thegeneralgaveuptheonlytenablestation.Hewasafterwardsbrokeforcontemptoforders.
Approachingthefrontiers，consequentlythesea，natureresumedanaspectruderandruder，orratherseemedthebonesoftheworldwaitingtobeclothedwitheverythingnecessarytogivelifeandbeauty.Stillitwassublime.
Thecloudscaughttheirhueoftherocksthatmenacedthem.Thesunappearedafraidtoshine，thebirdsceasedtosing，andtheflowerstobloom;buttheeaglefixedhisnesthighamongsttherocks，andthevulturehoveredoverthisabodeofdesolation.Thefarmhouses，inwhichonlypovertyresided，wereformedoflogsscarcelykeepingoffthecoldanddriftingsnow：outofthemtheinhabitantsseldompeeped，andthesportsorprattlingofchildrenwasneitherseenorheard.Thecurrentoflifeseemedcongealedatthesource：allwerenotfrozen，foritwassummer，youremember;buteverythingappearedsodullthatIwaitedtoseeice，inordertoreconcilemetotheabsenceofgaiety.