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140 A History of Sweden
He brought in skilled workmen from abroad, who
introduced improved methods in the mines and at the
smelters. He often visited the mining districts and
took a lively interest in the work. He visited the work-
men in their homes and conversed with them as an
equal. Hence, he was highly esteemed by the miners
and iron workers.
Land Improvements. In his work of bringing waste
lands in the north under cultivation, Charles was great-
ly aided by Finns, who had immigrated in large num-
bers into Sweden. In their own land they often suf-
fered want and were oppressed by cruel bailiffs and
governors. These immigrant Finns settled down in the
northern forests near some lake affording good fishing.
There they built their cabins and lived by hunting and
fishing, clearing the forests and breaking the soil for
planting. Thus by hard labor the Finns secured their
plots of ground, planted them with rye, and later,
when the soil was too exhausted for grain, it furnished
fine pasture for their cattle.
His Administration. His methods of administration
he inherited from his father. In the handling of the
nation’s finances "Economy" was his motto. To his
bailiffs he was an even sterner master than Gustavus
had been. In one instance they had collected extra
taxes from the peasants and pocketed the money, in an-
other they had accepted bribes from criminals. "Thiev-
ish lot" was the uncomplimentary name Charles often
gave to his bailiffs. "We will hold them to account till
they are caught in the gallows/’ he declared. It is said
that it was not a rare sight to see a bailiff hanged in
the gallows of his own district. Everybody that did not
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