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THROUGH SWEDEN. 87
It would be no improper object for philofophical invettigation,
to trace the progrefs of {cience under the reign of Guftavus III,
and to compare this with the advancement it experienced during
the later periods of the ariftocratical fyftem, or rather the fyftem
of the limited monarchy. From fuch an enquiry it would pro-
bably be made to appear, that neither the {plendour of a throne,
nor the protection of a prince are neceflary, or even favourable to
the promotion of fcience. It would be feen that the mott effec-
tual patronage of learning is that which is derived from the pub-
lic at large ; and that the {ciences, like commerce, are always the
worfe for the interference of government. ‘They refemble the
fenfitive plant, which fhrinks from the touch of the pureft and
moft delicate hand; but vegetates, flourifhes, and perfeCily unfolds
itfelf when left alone. On entering fuperficially upon a comparifon
of the ftate of the {ciences in the reign of Guftavus III. and dur-
ing the ariftocracy, I do not find any naturalift that might ke
ranked with Linnzus, nor a mineralogift of fuch diftinguifhed
merit and reputation as Bergmann ; nor a linguift and antiquary
that could equal the celebrated Ihre; not a mathematician to
cope with Klingenftierna, the reputed inventor of achromatic
telefcopes; no chemift that could rival Wallerius; not a phyfi-
cian like Rofenftein, nor fuch a proficient in the oriental languages
as Aurivelius. When we confider what the Swedifh nobility were
before the time of Guftavus III. and what they have been fince
his reign, we perceive at once a ftriking poner Guttavus,
though certainly poffefled of genius himfelf, had no body about
him
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