If no second Holberg has arisen, Denmark now possesses among its living writers several able dramatists; one of the most recent of whom, Hertz, has revived the true tone and spirit of comedy; while the younger Heiberg has cultivated the romantic and poetical drama with great success, and likewise rendered himself a favourite with the public by his vaudevilles. Chr. Bredahl's Dramatiske Scener, 5 vols., 1819-32, display marks of real genius. Of C. J. Boye we know little; nevertheless his William Shakspere' (1826) entitles him to mention from us, not only on account of the interest which the subject itself possesses for our countrymen, but also for the ability with which it is treated. Tieck, König, and others have taken Shakspere as the hero of their fictions, but scarcely one has exhibited him so naturally. In other branches of literature Denmark possesses several eminent scholars and men of science. Rask's name is known as one of the most eminent philologists of the present century; and to his may be added those of Grundtvig, Petersen, and Rafn, all of whom have laboured diligently and successfully in northern archæology and history. The study of northern antiquities has been greatly promoted by the establishment of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries at Copenhagen. Besides his other historical works, the Bibliotheca Anglo-Saxonica' of Grundtvig recommends him to literary antiquaries in this country; which remark applies also to L. C. Müller's 'Collectanea Anglo-Saxonica,' 1834. In classical archæology the Chevalier Bröndsted has acquired European celebrity by his Travels and Researches in Greece,' and other works. The name of Professor Oerstedt is generally known by his labours in electricity and magnetism. His younger brother, Anders Sandöe Oerstedt, has distinguished himself by his writings on jurisprudence, polity, and moral philosophy. In art, Thorvaldsen's fame is such that the bare mention of his name is sufficient. With that of the great Danish sculptor, Thiele's name is in some measure associated, as that of his biographer and literary interpreter, by his two splendid folio volumes on the artist's life and works. In architecture, both Hansen (brother-in-law to Rahbek) and Malling have done much, and have introduced a better taste than formerly prevailed. The former has published his chief designs in a large folio work highly creditable to the Danish press. The annexed tables of the deceased and of some of the living writers of Denmark, including also the names of one or two artists, will serve to complete this portion of our subject, as a useful accompaniment to it : Died. 1637. Arreboe, Anders (born 1587), 'Hexaemeron,' or 'Creation.' 1677. Bording, Andreas (born 1619). 1678. Broby, Erik Erikensen (Pontoppidan), (born 1616), natural history, &c. 1702. Syv, Peter (born 1631), 'Danish Grammar.' 1722. Sorterup, Jörgen, J., satirical poetry, &c. 1742. Reenberg, Töger (born 1656), fables, satires, &c. 1748. Gram, Hans, history and antiquities. 1750. Eilschov, Fred. Chr. (born 1725), philosophical pieces, &c. 1752. Falster, Christian (born 1690), satires. 1754. Holberg, Ludvig (born 1684), general literature, biography, history, comedy, satire, &c. 1764. Sneedorf, Jens S. (born 1732), periodical literature, &c. 1791. Fasting. Christian, poetry, epigrams, &e. 1793. Trojel, P. Magnus (born 1743), satires, &c. 1794. Storm, Edward (born 1749), ballad poetry, &c. 1794. Smith, Laurits (born 1753), divinity and moral philosophy. 1795. Rothe, Tyge (born 1781), didactic poetry, &c. 1796. Samsöe, Ole Joh. (born 1759), tragedy. 1798. Suhm, Peter Fred. (born 1728), history, &c. 1798. Birkner, Mich. Gottlob. (born 1756), distinguished as a classical prose writer. Nineteenth Century. 1801 Juel, Professor Jens (born 1745), a celebrated portrait painter. 1802. Wiedeveld, Joh. (born 1731), eminent sculptor, and Thorvaldsen's master. 1803. Bast, Povel Dankel, poetry, epigrams, &c. 1804. Baden, Jacob (born 1735), philology, &c. 1807. Tode, J. Clemens (born 1736), comedies, fables, humorous pieces, &c. 1808. Guldberg, Ove (born 1731), comedy. 1809. Zoega, Jörgen (born 1756), Egyptian antiquities, &c. 1815. Bugge, Thos. (born 1740), astronomy and mathematics. 1815. Thorlacius, S. Thorsden (born 1741), northern antiquities and literature. 1817. Foersom, Peter (born 1778), translator of Shak spere. 1819. Bastholm, Christ. (born 1740), philosophy and morals, sermons, &c. 1821. Rein, Jonas, poetical tales, &c. 1821. Thaarup, Thos. (born 1749), lyric poetry, hymns, &c. 1821. Zetlitz, Jens (born 1761), satires, epistles, &c. 1821. Hasse, Laurits (born 1737), novelist. 1821. Pram, Christian (born 1756), 'Staerkodder,' poetry, drama, &c. 1823. Malling, Ove, history and biography. 1825. Bruun, Thos. Christ. (born 1750), satires, tales, &c. 1826. Baggesen, Jens (born 1764), poetry and miscel laneous works. 1828. Lorentzen, Chr. Aug. (born 1753), artist, painted the Holberg Gallery.' ་ 1832. Heiberg, Pet. Andreas (born 1758), comedy, political essays, &c. 1832. Rask, Rasmus Christ. (born 1784), philology, grammar, Northern and Oriental languages. 1833. Treschov, Niels (born 1751), theology and moral philosophy. 1834. Moller, Jens (born 1779), history and theology. 1836. Rahbek, Knud Lyne (born 1760), general literature and criticism, biography, poetry, drama. Born. Living Writers, &c. 1759. Nyerup, Rasmus, literary history and biography, criticism, &c. 1770. Hornemann, Jens Wilken, botany. 1770. Thorvaldsen, Bertel (Albert), sculptor. 1775. Mynster, Jac. Pet., bishop of Zealand, pulpit eloquence and theology. 1777. Gebauer, Chr. Dav., celebrated animal painter. 1778. Kruse, Laurits, novelist. 1779. Möller, Jens, Dr., theology and literature. 1779. Oehlenschläger, Adam, poetry, drama, romance, &c. 1781. Bröndsted, P. O., classical archeology and geo 1765. Tullin, Christ. B. (born 1728), ethic and descrip-graphy. tive poetry, lyrical do. 1765. Kraft, Jens (born 1720), logic and metaphysics, &c. 1770. Langebek, Jacob (born 1710), the Danish Library,' 'Danish Magazine,' &c. 1778. Möllmann, Berrh. (born 1702), history. 1781. Ewald, Johann (born 1743), lyric poetry, poetical drama, &c. 1783. Wessel, J. H. (born 1742), comedy and parody, tales, &c. 1783. Wibe, Joh., comedy. 1783. Bull, Johann (born 1739), didactic poetry, &c. 1784. Trojel, P. C. (born 1754), poetry. 1788. Weyer, Niels (born 1767), poetry. 1788. Biehl, Charl. Dorothea (born 1731), dramatic pieces. 1789. Luxdorf, B. Will. (born 1716). 1790. Wivet (born 1728), comedy. 1783. Molbech, Chr., literary history, criticism, &c. 1783. Grundtvig, Nic. F. S., history, poetry, northern mythology, and antiquities. 1783. Eckersberg, Chr. Will., eminent historical painter. 1784. Lindberg, J. Chr., controversial theology. 1789. Ingemann, Bern. Severin, epic poetry, historical romance, &c. 1789. Dahl, Joh. Chr., landscape-painter. 1791. Heiberg, Joh. Ludvig, son of P. A. H., distinguished dramatic writer. 1791. Hauch, Joh. Carsten, tragedies and romances. 1791. Petersen, M. N., Danish language and philology, history and antiquities. 1794. Hansen, Morits Chr., tragedy, novels, tales, and educational works. 1795. Rafn, Karl Chr., northern literature and antiqui ties. 1798. Hertz, Henrich, comedy, poetry, &c. 1805. Anderson, H. C., poetry, romance, &c. ally pardoned. Laurentius also studied at Wittenberg, and on his return was made professor of theology at Upsala, where Paludan-Müller, 'Dandserinden,' a comic poem, &c. he preached the principles of Luther to crowded congregaWergeland, Hen. Arnold, poetry, drama. tions, notwithstanding he had been excommunicated by the Sweden.-Though the modern literature of Sweden de- council of Catholic clergy. This loyal and intrepid Apostle veloped itself more tardily than that of Denmark, its course of the North,' as he was subsequently called, was made archwas nearly the same; for, springing from one common bishop of the kingdom in 1531. As a writer his labours stock, both nations were similar in genius and intellectual were very considerable; besides a number of theological disposition. More remote from intercourse with other treatises, he made almost an entire translation of the Bible, European nations than its neighbour and rival, Sweden re-in which he was assisted by his brother Olaus, and upon tained not only more of the parent language, but for a con- which he was engaged at the time of his death in 1573. siderable time more of the Scandinavian character in its The unfortunate Eric XIV. possessed a taste not only for oral poetry. The Scalds continued to recite their composi- literature, but for music and painting, which last he is said tions at the court of the Swedish princes till about the middle to have practised, and to have executed the whole-length of the thirteenth century, when the last Skald upon record portrait of himself, in the gallery at the castle of Gripswas Sturle Thordson, in the reign of Berger Jarl. Not- holm. In the succeeding reign (John III.) literature and withstanding almost the whole of the following period to the sciences were neglected for political and theological the time of Gustavus Vasa was one of turbulence or disputes; but in that of Charles IX. they began to revive. oppression, a taste for poetry continued to manifest itself Charles himself may be placed among royal authors, for he in the popular songs and traditions in rhyme, some of which wrote his own history in verse, and also many songs and have been collected by Geijer and Afzelius.* Compared other poetical pieces. We have here to consider Gustavus with these authorless compositions, the productions of those Adolphus not in his character of a warrior and a statesman, who professed to cultivate literature, such as it then was, but in that of an encourager of the peaceful arts. He was were feeble and tasteless. Books of monkish devotion, rude himself gifted with more than ordinary powers of eloquence, treatises on medicine, astronomy, and a few other sciences, and his address to the states (1620) may be considered a as then understood, but overlaid with superstition and mys- model of that oratory which at once appeals to the heart and ticism, together with chronicles in barbarous Latin, present the understanding. This prince also began to compose his only a picture of intellectual barrenness. No such lumi- own memoirs, which are scarcely less admirable for their style naries as a Dante or a Chaucer arose, and the few names than interesting for their matter. Inseparably connected which history has handed down to us are little better than with the name of Gustavus Adolphus is that of Axel mere sounds and shadows. Oxenstierna (1583-1654), one of the most eminent statesmen of his own day or any other, and also a patron of letters. One of the most celebrated, or rather, the least obscure, is Nicholas Hermanni, bishop of Linköping, who died in 1391, and was canonized in 1416. Besides some theological The family of the Messenii is one of some note in the works, he wrote legends, and translated the Life of St. Ans- literary annals of Sweden at this period. Johannes Mesgarius, the first Christian missionary who visited Sweden senius the elder (1584-1637) conceived the plan of drama(829). Eric Olai, professor of theology at Upsala (died tising the history of Sweden in a series of fifty plays, six of 1486), composed some psalms and canticles. Nearly two which he completed. They have gone through several centuries before, or about 1308, Eufemia of Norway, grand-editions, but they show that he was not the rival though mother of Magnus Smek, had caused the history of the contemporary of Shakspere. His own history is rather Alexander the Great, the romance of Flores and Blanze- remarkable. Being accused of holding a secret and treaflor,' and some other productions of a similar kind to be sonable correspondence with Sigismund of Poland and the translated into Swedish verse. Yet for a long time Jesuits, he and his family were sentenced to imprisonment Swedish literature is little more than a dreary blank. for life, but were released after twenty years' confinement. Even learning was scarcely cultivated, for though the uni- His son Arnold and his grandson Johannes (who was born versity of Upsala was founded by Sten Sture in 1478, in prison, 1629), both possessed talents; and the former, it languished through neglect and for want of teachers, and who was appointed historiographer by Christina, wrote the can hardly be said to have been effectively established history of Charles IX., and also of Sigismund, neither of till the time of Gustavus Adolphus (1621-24). Neverthe- which however was printed. If the younger Johannes had less, though Sweden continued to be greatly behind Den- so far followed his father's example as to abstain from pubmark in this respect, printing was introduced into the lishing, the fatal end of both might have been averted; but former country some years earlier than into Denmark. he produced a satire, when he was only eighteen, in which A press was first set up at Upsala in 1476, another at he reflected very severely not only upon the nobles, but Stockholm in 1482, and a third at Wadstena in 1490. the queen herself. The consequence was that he was Wadstena is noted for the convent of St. Brigitta, where her brought to trial, and his father being also implicated in the daughter St. Catherine died abbess of it in 1391, and where, charge, both perished on the scaffold. a century later (1498), a nun named Ingrida wrote an epistle to her lover, which is considered to be the most elegant and correct specimen of the Swedish language of that period, and indeed superior to any which appeared for a long time after. This composition, so full of eloquence and genuine passion, and in which the sentiments of love and mystical devotion are intermingled, places Ingrida by the side of the more celebrated Heloisa. Of Eric Tegel and Carl Carlson Gyllenhjelm it will be sufficient to say that the former was secretary to Charles IX., and wrote the history of Gustavus I. and Eric XIV.; of the other, that he was the natural son of Charles IX., and high admiral of Sweden, and published in 1632 a work against the doctrines of the Roman Catholics ('Katholicismens Villomeningar). Jöran or George Stjernhjelm, ennobled by Gustavus Adolphus, and patronised by Christina, enjoyed considerable reputation as a poet, in which capacity he furnished the ballets or masques which were then in vogue at court. The production by which he is now chiefly known is his 'Hercules,' a sort of didactic poem in hexameter verse, which though not without merit in regard to style and versification, displays more of ingenious argumentative talent than of poetical power. Nevertheless it was well entitled to the admiration which it received from his contemporaries. Stjernhjelm was well read both in antient and modern literature, had visited different countries, and acquired several languages. Nor did Argenteus,' with a translation. His contemporaries Rosenhane and Spegel distinguished themselves the one by his sonnets, in which he showed himself a disciple of Ronsard; while the other was, like Arreboe, the Danish poet, an imitator of Du Bartas. Spegel also compiled a dictionary of the Swedish language, which was afterwards greatly extended by Ihre. With her patriot Vasa (1523-60), a new æra dawned upon Sweden. [GUSTAVUS ERICKSON.] That prince, who more truly deserves the epithet of 'great' than most on whom it has been bestowed, possessed much literary talent, and very superior powers of eloquence, although he had to contend with a language which was still rude and unpolished. He founded the royal library at Stockholm, established schools throughout the country, and favoured the doctrines of the Reformation, in which he was seconded by the chief scholars in the kingdom. Among those who more especially distinguished themselves by their zeal were the brothers Olaus and Lars or Laurentius Petri. The former, who had studied at Wit-he confine his studies to poetry, for he published the Codex tenberg, was made secretary of council by Gustavus, but afterwards fell into disgrace, and was even sentenced to death upon a charge of high treason, though he was eventuSvenska Folkvisor,' 3 vols. 8vo., 1814. The two first volumes of a similar collection, by Aiwidson, have since appeared under the title of 'Sveuska Fornsanger. J.E. Rydquist has also made an interesting contribution to literary archeology in his Nordens aldsta Skadespel,' on the dramatic songs aud compositions of the Swedes, similar to those of Iceland and Finnland. Among the literary men of the seventeenth century, Olof of Rudbeck, both the father and son of that name, deservedly rank high. The elder Rudbeck has left a monument of extraordinary erudition, but also of wild and extravagant hypotheses, in his 'Atlantis' (4 fols. fol.). With them may be mentioned the two Perinskiolds, who revived the study of Icelandic literature. John, the father, translated from that language Snorre Sturleson's History,' and many beautiful Northern traditions, in a simple and elegant style; and Frederic was likewise an able antiquary and diligent labourer in the same field. Another remarkable contemporary instance of family talent on the part of father and son occurs in the elder and younger Nicodemus Tessin, both of whom ranked among the first-rate architects of their time. Nor was the grandson, Count Carl Gustavus Tessin, with whom the title expired in 1770, less esteemed for his taste and ability as an architect, beside his merit as a writer. The commencement of the eighteenth century was by no means propitious to literature in Sweden. The age of laborious erudition had passed away, that of the belles-lettres can scarcely be said to have begun before the reign of Gustavus III. Still one or two names of note occur during the first half of the century. Even were there no other than that of Olof von Dalin, it would suffice to vindicate the national taste at this period, he being not undeservedly regarded as the Swedish Addison. Like his prototype, he not only set the example of a more graceful and polished prose style, but sought to entertain while he instructed, to improve while he amused his readers. The 'Svenska Argus' (begun in 1733, when the writer was only twenty-four) obtained as marked success as the English Spectator. Nor was the interest on the part of the public diminished by the name of the writer remaining unknown for three years. There is another point of resemblance between the Swedish and the English essayist,--neither of them shone in conversation, or displayed in it any of those graces which adorn their writings; both, again, tried their ability in the drama, al- | though neither the 'Cato' of the one nor the 'Brynilda' of the other manifests any tragic power. Dalin succeeded better in comedy. His Svenska Friheten' was greatly admired in its day, but that and his other poems have now fallen very much in estimation, which is also the case with his History of Sweden,' a work that added much to the author's reputation, as being popular and captivating in its style, but its real value is now almost destroyed by the more recent histories of Geijer, Fryxell, and Strinnholm. To the same epoch with Dalin belongs Madame Nordenflycht, who was regarded almost as a prodigy of learning in her sex, and whose elegies and other poems occasionally display real feeling and talent, though they are for the most part in a false taste, and disfigured by affectation. The fame of this lady was not confined to Sweden, for her literary acquaintance was cultivated by correspondents in other countries, and among the rest by Haller, Fontenelle, and Holberg. It was she who instituted, in 1753, the Society which assumed the title of Utile Dulci,' and which enrolled Counts Creutz and Gyllenborg, and other followers or patrons of literature among its members. To another female, Louisa Ulrica, the queen of Adolphus- Frederick, who not only patronised, but also cultivated scientific and literary pursuits, Sweden is indebted for the establishment of the Academy of Stockholm (1757). About the same time other literary societies began to spring up, such as the 'Apollini Sacra' at Upsala, and the 'Aurora' at Abo. These institutions undoubtedly served to encourage literature; but it is very questionable whether they were not also injurious to it, by dictating formal rules, and a submission to pedantic theories of criticism. Considered in this latter point of view, even the otherwise splendid period of Gustavus III. (1772-92) is not altogether exempt from reproach. That illustrious patron of literature and art, who, unlike Louis XIV., distinguished himself not only by encouraging talent in others, but by the display of it in himself—who, while he munificently patronised the muses as a sovereign, enrolled himself among their votaries, unfortunately prepossessed in favour of French models. Hence the literature of his time bears more of a French than a national physiognomy. Nevertheless much good Was effected, by an impulse being then given, which afterwards took a better direction. Besides reorganising the Swedish Academy of Stockholm (1786), Gustavus established several other institutions, and liberally supported the two universities of Upsala and Lund; and although his was literary taste was French, he exerted himself very much in behalf of the Swedish language. From the commencement of his reign the names of literary persons begin to be so numerous, that it is difficult to include all of them within the compass of a mere sketch. There is no occasion for our speaking at all of Linnæus, both because his fame does not exactly belong to literature so called, and because his life and writings have been treated of in another place. [LINNEUS.] We turn to the more obscure name of Olof Rudbeck, which would perhaps have been less so than it now is, had he not died prematurely. He displayed considerable originality and talent for the comic epic in his Boräsiade,' a poem in four cantos, describing the heroic contest between the citizens of the town of Boräs, under their burgomaster, and the desperate rebel Hofmann. The two noble writers Counts Creutz and Gyllenborg may be placed together, notwithstanding the latter survived the other upwards of twenty years, as being not only attached friends, but literary associates. Creutz's Atis och Camilla,' a descriptive poem in five cantos, is considered the best work of its kind in the language; while, if not entitled to rank as an epic, Gyllenborg's Täget ofver Belt' displays much vigour of imagination and happy execution. The lastmentioned writer produced also some dramatic pieces; and as a fabulist he stands decidedly at the head of his countrymen. Celsius, bishop of Lund, was the biographer, or rather, the historian of Gustavus Vasa and Eric XIV., in two different works; and he also took the first prince as the subject of an heroic poem in seven books; but in this department he showed himself greatly inferior to Gyllenborg. He also wrote a tragedy called 'Ingeborg.' We now come to one who though he cultivated only a minor department of poetry, manifested in it a power and originality that place him far above those who are chiefly skilful imitators of standard models-to Bellman, who is generally styled the Swedish Anacreon, a title that detracts almost as much as it compliments, for he has borrowed nothing from the antient bard. A strong vein of nationality and racy humour pervades all his principal productions-his Fredman's Epistles,' his songs, &c., which rendered him at once the favourite of all classes. As he wrote so he lived, as he lived so he died-a staunch devotee to Bacchus; for it is related of him, that finding his end approaching, he invited some of his companions to partake a farewell revel, at the close of which he bade adieu for ever to song and wine. In some respects Lidner was quite opposite to Bellman, and in others greatly resembled him. Nothing can be more unlike the gay and joyous effusions of the one than the sombre, plaintive, and touching strains of the other; but the love of wine was the same in both, or rather Lidner carried it to a degree of coarse intemperance not palliated by any joviality of temperament. He was indeed one of those who seem voluntarily to doom themselves to misery and degradation; for his conduct was so thoroughly reckless, so devoid of all ordinary prudence, as to frustrate the benevolent intentions of Gustavus, his royal patron, and to render every attempt of his friends to serve him utterly unavailing. Nevertheless, with all his follies and vices as a man, with all his imperfections as a writer, Lidner possessed that spark of genius which still recommends his poetry, while so many contemporary productions, applauded and extolled in their day, are now forgotten. Among those literary men who enjoyed in a particular degree the personal favour of Gustavus, was Kellgren, who if not a great was a pleasing poet, full of ingenious and happily expressed ideas, set off to advantage by the elegance and harmoniousness of his versification. Both by his lyrical pieces and his satires he rendered himself deservedly a favourite with the nation; and he is still read with satisfaction, notwithstanding he has too much of the affected polish and refinement of the school then in vogue, and too little of that freshness and vigour which mark some of the writers of a later period. His successor at the Swedish Academy, Stenhammer, distinguished his brief career by his ode on the battle of Svensksand, and a poem on the importance of religion to states, both which are master pieces of their kind. He also commenced a parody of the Æneid.' Magnus Lehnberg advanced pulpit eloquence very far beyond any of his predecessors in Sweden; the sermons of Bäld, Tolesson, and others, which had previously been regarded as first-rate compositions of that class, rendered the superiority of Lemberg's the more evi dent. Thorild, the literary antagonist of Kellgren, distin- | tury. He has sometimes been called the Voltaire o guished himself scarcely less as the zealous but unsuc- Sweden-not that he resembled Voltaire in character-and cessful champion of the liberty of the press than as a his tragedies have been greatly extolled; but, like his writer: he rendered himself so obnoxious to the govern- models, they are cold and declamatory, with little of rea ment in the former character, that he was obliged to seek an passion or poetry, though abounding with splendid rhetoric. asylum in Denmark. Among his poems that on the Pas The same may be said of his Odes, one of which, Begäret sions is esteemed the best, but his more important produc- till ett udödligt Namn,' has been translated in the sixth tions are in prose, and show him to have been a piciound volume of the Foreign Quarterly Review.' He succeeded thinker and a dealer in ingenious paradoxes. Professor better in his tales and satires, to which latter kind of comHoijer was also an able writer on subjects of philosophy, position his talent was well enough suited, and there his æsthetics, and criticism, which he treated in a masterly and polished elegance and sententiousness are in their place. eloquent style, and with great clearness. As a prose writer he is deservedly considered a model of style. Axel Silfverstolpe, chamberlain to Queen Sophia Magdalena, and Count Oxenstierna, who emulated the example of his uncle Count Gyllenborg, both possessed literary talent; and if the former did not shine as a poet of the first class, he produced several agreeable and elegant pieces. More ambitious, Oxenstierna showed himself to be also more favoured by the muses: his descriptive poem, in nine books, entitled Skördarne,' or Harvest, and his 'Dagens-Stunder,' rank among the best productions of their kind in the language, as well on account of the imagination which they display, as for the beauty of the expression. Madame Leangren (daughter of Professor Malmstedt of Upsala) manifested a peculiar vein of poetry, adorning familiar subjects with the simple graces of nature and truth, and observing a happy medium between affected refinement and vulgar literal reality. Her 'Grefvinnans Besök' (Visit to the Parsonage), 'Den Glada Festen,' and Porträtterne,' are so many charming pictures of domestic ife, delightful from their freshness and their truth, and also for a certain tone of ingenuous and delicate satire. The Swedish Academy honoured her memory by a medal, on the obverse of which is her bust, and on the reverse a muse holding a lyre, with this inscription: Quo minus gloriam petebat eo magis assecuta.' With this amiable woman we may here be allowed to make brief mention of two other literary females, not having been able to ascertain when they died or whether they be yet living, namely, the Baroness d'Albedyhl and Madame Berger (born Countess of Cronhjelm), the former of whom published Gefion' (Upsala, 1814), a little epic poem in four cantos, and has been styled the Swedish Sevigné for the elegance of her epistolary style; the other has acquired some reputation both as a novelist and a poetess, especially by her Capriciosa,' a charming tale in verse. To these may further be added Madame Nyberg, known to the public under the name of Euphrosyne, whose poems display both fancy and feeling with much beauty of language. She is a disciple of the new romantic or Phosphorist school, and her manner bears some resemblance to Atterbom's, in whose Almanack of the Muses,' for 1822, there is a dramatic poem by her, founded on the legend of St. Christopher. Deviating somewhat from the order in which their names occur in the table at the end of this article, we will here, for convenience sake, group together Adlerbeth, Leopold, and some other writers, before we mention Stagnelius, Vitalis, and Nicander, who may be considered as more particularly belonging to the Phosphorists, or new romantic school, as opposed to the Classicalists. In his original poems, particularly in his Epistles, Baron d'Adlerbeth shows himself an amiable moralist and philosopher, but his tragedies are merely correct lifeless productions carefully modelled according to French dramatic rules. He also translated Virgil, Horace, and the Metamorphoses' of Ovid. Edelcrantz, who, previously to his being ennobled by the title of baron in 1789, was called Clewberg, first attracted notice by his Eloge on Louisa Ulrica, which eloquent composition obtained for him the place of librarian at the university of Abo. Another much superior production of his is the Ode till Svenska Folket;' his merit however lay not so much in what he himself did as a writer, as in the services which he rendered to art and science, manufactures, commerce, and agriculture. He first introduced the telegraph and the steam-engine into Sweden, and he kept up a correspondence with the most distinguished scientific persons in different parts of Europe, including our own countrymen Sir John Sinclair and Sir Humphry Davy. He was also perpetual president of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Hammarskjold produced several interesting works on subjects of literary criticism, and among others one on the character of Schiller as a poet, historian, and philosopher (1807); also a series of lectures on the history of literature and the fine arts in Sweden (1818-19). Stjernstolpe is mentioned elsewhere. [STJERNSTOLPE.] Stagnelius, Vitalis, and Nicander all belonged to the new school; all possessed strong poetical power, and all died in the prime of life. Stagnelius, the most highly gifted of the three, whose literary career commenced in 1812 and was closed in less than twelve years, has been described as possessing a truly poetic nature, and as resembling the mystic German Novalis. His works, comprised in three volumes, consist of 'Vladimir,' Blenda,' Gunlög,' and fragments of two other epic poems, tragedies and other dramatic pieces, and his lyrical and miscellaneous compositions. Finely touched as his productions of that class are, the peculiar turn of his genius in a great measure disqualified him for succeeding in the epic and the drama. He had too much of what the Germans call subjectivity, and he accordingly was always displaying his own feelings and sentiments, instead of identifying himself with his characters. He therefore pleases better-we might say, completely satisfies in such a dramatised poem as that of the Martyrs,' in which religious enthusiasm and Christian fortitude are depicted in the most sublime strain of poetry. After all it is as a lyric poet that he excels; the finest passages in his tragedies and his epics are all of a lyrical cast; and among his lyrics the series of religious pieces entitled The Lilies of Sharon' are preeminent, and would of themselves have secured for him a place among the highest order of poets. Eric Sjöberg, better known under the assumed name of Vitalis, was one of those who, highly favoured with natural gifts, have been the outcasts of fortune. His whole life was one of struggle, privation, and hardships; and he closed it within the walls of a public hospital. As a writer he has sometimes been classed among those whose power lay in comic humour; yet although flashes of mirth and satiric pleasantry occasionally occur in his poems, the pervading character of most of them is melancholy and tenderness, and a weariness of spirit longing to be at rest. He was indeed very unequal, often pathetic and sublime, sometimes even below mediocrity. As to Nicander, we may refer to a previous article [NICANDER], merely remarking that while his poetry manifests strong fancy and deep enthusiasm, it is not free from occasional extravagance or from marks of negligence. Wallin, archbishop of Upsala, who died lately, acquired well merited popularity both as a preacher and a poet. His sermons and discourses are noble specimens of pulpit eloquence, nor was his delivery less impressive. Nearly all his poetical productions are of a devotional cast, and his psalms have been generally adopted throughout Sweden. · Among the living poets and literary men of Sweden, Franzen may be allowed to take precedence according to seniority, if not altogether according to reputation; for in the latter respect the first place incontestibly belongs to Tegner, bishop of Wexiö. The reputation of the bishop of Hörnesand (Franzen) however is not very much inferior to that of the bishop of Wexiö; he was one of the first who broke away from the factitious style in which mechanical excellence was chiefly regarded, and who strove to render poetry the interpreter of the mind. His lyrical and elegiac compositions are very numerous, and are decidedly his best: they seem spontaneous effusions replete with the eloquence of the heart. In his longer poems he was far less happy; that in twenty cantos for instance, on the marriage of Gustavus The veteran Leopold, whose career extended through so Vasa, is both monotonous and deficient in the interest relong a period, was looked up to as the leader of the clas- quisite for so long a narrative. Columbus,' another histosical or French school of literature, which was in fashion rical poem, published in 1831, but not yet finished, has not under Gustavus III. at the beginning of the present cen-added much to his fame; neither has he succeeded much better in tragedy. Notwithstanding these deductions, he is certainly a master within his own peculiar sphere, and is also an admirable prose writer. His popularity is beyond all question; and if it be true, as has been stated, that of one edition of his poems 3000 copies were sold within a single week, it is a circumstance almost unparalleled, not numerically, but in proportion to the population of the country, to which alone the demand for books in the language may be said to be confined. Ling may be considered in some respects as the Swedish Oehlenschäger, for, like the Dane, he has Scandinavianised the drama of his country, taking the subjects of his tragedies, or rather dramatic poems, from the antient northern mythology and legends. One of his principal productions, 'Gylfe, is a sort of modern history of Sweden disguised under a mythological mask, but, as it has been observed, an allegory extended to fifteen cantos and as many thousand lines must not expect to meet with many readers-certainly with none among strangers. the journal Svea,' are highly interesting, both on account There is one department of literature, we may observe, in which Sweden now possesses some original productions of ability and merit, although it was scarcely cultivated at all till within the last twenty years-namely, that of prose fiction and the novel. Nearly all Scott's historical romances have been translated, and they have had a considerable_influence in creating a taste for this species of reading. FreEsaias Tegner is universally recognised as the poet of derick Cederborg, who began his career somewhat earlier, Sweden; the one who stands pre-eminent in the affections has distinguished himself by several productions of the of the nation and in the esteem of foreigners. His reputa-kind, fraught with humour and abounding with comic tion has extended itself where even the existence of Swedish scenes. Livijn's Spader Dame' and other novels display literature was scarcely known before; his Frithiöf's Saga' an originality and power, a strength both in their humohas found more than one translator both in Germany and rous and their pathetic parts, which have seldom been in England; and anecdotes are told of persons learning the equalled. The modern novel has been treated with great language merely in order to be able to read it in the ori- success by Frederica Bremer; and Baroness Knorring bas ginal. Added to all which, he is one of those upon whom, been happy in her delineations of the gay and fashionable like Göthe and Schiller, volumes of criticism have been world; while Engström has produced some interesting picwritten. To sum up his literary character as briefly as pos- tures of country life and manners. In the fine arts Sweden sible, it may be observed that Tegner has not displayed can boast of some distinguished names: those of Bystrom poetic invention: his Frithiöf' is no more than a reproduc- and Göthe in sculpture would do honour to any nation. tion of the antient Icelandic Saga;' still he possesses the art of bestowing an inexpressible charm on whatever he touches. His language is most harmonious, his colouring most pleasing, and he always shows himself a genuine son of the North. Hence his great popularity is accounted for; since popularity does not fall to the share of the greatest poet or artist, but rather to him who can interest the greatest number. We pass over Axel,' and Tegner's other productions, which have been frequently mentioned in various journals both English and foreign. Professor E. G. Geijer has done very much for the study of northern history, literature, poetry, and mythology. His 'Svea Rikes Häfder,' or 'Records of Sweden,' is an excellent work, whose intrinsic merits are set off by a felicitous style. The same writer has also produced a 'History of the Swedish Nation,' and a history of Sweden from 1719 to 1772. Afze Died. 1636. Tegel, Eric, history. 1637. Messenius, Joh. (born 1584), drama. 1714. Spegel, Haquin, Archbishop (born 1645), poem on the creation, Paradiset,' psalms, &c. 1728. Tessin, Count N., Younger (born 1654), architect 1777. Rudbeck, Olof (born 1756), heroic-comic poetry. 1790. Botin, A. V. (born 1724), history, &c. 1795. Bellman, Carl M. (born 1745), poetry, songs, &c. 1808. Gyllenborg, Count Gust. (born 1731), poetry. lius, a relation of Adam Afzelius the botanist, and John Af-literature, &c. 1810. Elqstrom, Pehr, poetry. 1812. Hoijer, Prof. Benj. C. H. (born 1757), philosophy, æsthetics, &c. 1814. Sergell, Tobias (born 1740), eminent sculptor. 1823. Stagnelius, Eric Joh. (born 1793), epic poetry, &c. VOL. XXI.-C |