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of an opinion which was gradually beginning to regard the
Dano-Norwegian king’s united «monarchy». with its Danish, Norwegian
and German possessions, as a species of consolidated state, in
which the several component parts, although equal in position,
were yet in danger of losing their self-dependence. This view,
more summary than correct, was more especially salient —
particularly in the latter half of the 18th century — in international
and diplomatic language, where references to either country were
now often made in such terms as «His Danish Majesty’s States»,
«the Cabinet in Copenhagen», as well as other similar and
sometimes even more definite terms of unity.
Such expressions, however, had little constitutional significance.
Although to some extent obscured by the ideas of a federated
state, the character of Denmark and Norway as separate
kingdoms, latent in some matters, yet continued to exist, and only
awaited an opportunity of reasserting itself in external affairs also.
This opportunity was afforded by the protracted wars of
1807—1814, during which the maritime communication between the
two countries was more or less interrupted. The government of
Norway, on this account, had to be left largely in the hands of
the several authorities of the kingdom, over whom were placed
princes of the royal blood and finally the Heir Apparent himself,
while various other means were adopted to favour the growing
national feeling.
In the mean time the events of war, resulting, as far as
Sweden was concerned, in the loss of Finland, had also given a
different character to Swedish aspirations. Not only was this loss
a fresh reminder of the importance of not having to defend two
frontiers at the same time, but it had given a clearer perception
of the manifold advantages in the insular situation of the
Scandinavian peninsula as the basis of a policy of neutrality, restricted
to its common defence, but in other respects independent of
European complications. During the years immediately ensuing,
Sweden sought to avail herself of the supervening situation by
securing for herself, in some form or other, a connection with
Norway,
After preliminary negotiations towards this end with the
Allied Powers the Swedish crown-prince, Carl Johan, by the
treaty of peace with Denmark, concluded at Kiel, January 14, 1814,
compelled the Dano-Norwegian king’s cession of Norway «in
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