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NOTES 239
just before the crisis with Prussia and Austria. He was born October 6,
1808, the son of Prince Christian Frederik, later King Christian VIII of
Denmark, and his first wife. The early divorce of his parents resulted
in his education being neglected ; he was left for several years in the
hands of relatives and strangers ; had unsympathetic teachers and al-
most no trace of parental guidance. All his life he had less than average
attainments in knowledge, except in a practical way in Scandinavian
archaeology. He had natural dignity, but a broad, undisciplined nature,
and shunned court etiquette and constraint. In 1834 he was in effect
banished to Jaegerspris, a royal estate near Frederikssund, and later
was sent on a cruise to Iceland. Afterwards he resided in disfavor in
Fredericia, where his tendencies to plain, direct intercourse with people
of all classes were further developed. When Christian VIII ascended
the throne, Frederik’s position was somewhat improved, and his free
association with officials and commoners made him very popular. It
was found that he could show at times surprisingly clear and sure in-
sight into practical conditions. His interest continued active in archaeo-
logical investigations, sea-voyaging, and fishing. During the increasing
national and political difficulties Frederik, because of his pronounced
_ Danish feeling and sympathy with the common people, was disposed
to take a stand more national and constitutionally liberal than could
please the government circles. This became known among the people
and made him a still greater favorite. In 1847 he submitted a proposal
for the introduction of a joint Constitution for the entire monarchy,
but King Christian died before action could be taken. Frederik VII
ascended the throne January 20, 1848. The change of ministry which
he made in March as a result of the Schleswig revolt, his opposition
to the division of Schleswig, and his establishment of really constitu-
tional government made his popularity forever secure, although he was
not a sure and purposeful ruler. Frederik’s character played an impor-
tant part in the relations of Denmark with Sweden and Norway. The
personal friendship between the two Kings united the countries more
closely and lifted political “Scandinavism” to the height it reached
shortly before the war of 1864 with Prussia and Austria over Schles-
wig-Holstein.
This “Scandinavism” is referred to in the poem by the words ‘‘to
the North,” “his course,” and similar expressions. It was the name
given to the sense of kinship of the three Northern peoples and the de-
sire of closer union, whether in spiritual or material or political rela-
tions, It was evoked first by poets and scholars, and gathered strength
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