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THROUGH SWEDEN. lot
the introduction of the arts and {ciences into defpotic governments
as a political incongruity ; unlefs, indeed, it be the intention of the
prince to ameliorate the condition of the people, and raife them
gradually to a participation of political power, in proportion to
their advancement in knowledge. Such, perhaps, was the inten-
tion of Peter the Great, czar of Mufcovy, when he introduced
arts and {ciences into his vaft barbarian empire; an intention
which probably he conceiyed in his comprehenfive mind, as likely
to be accomplifhed either by himfelf or his fucceffors.. At the
fame time it was certainly a fingular fpectacle to fee that prince
caning his courtiers, and inviting his fubjects to walk with him
into the temple of the Mufes and of Apollo. But what fhall we
fay of Frederic II. of Pruffia patronizing French literature and
manners, and encouraging philofophy, and even infidelity? And
what of the Emperor Jofeph II. overturning religious eftablifh-
ments and promoting free difcuffion with one hand, while he fub-
verted the privileges of his fubjects with the other? The obvious
conclufion is, that thefe and other defpotic princes either were
not at bottom fincere friends to the progrefs of knowledge, or
that they did not forefee its political confequences. Nothing ap-
pears more monftrous and abfurd, than to fee Guftavus III. tram-
pling on the privileges of the Swedifh nation one year, and infti-
tuting academies the next; but, on a clofer examination of the
conduct of the Swede, we fhall find that it was at leaft not fo
inconfiftent as that of the German princes juft mentioned. His
love of abfolute power was fincere; his zeal for literature and
{cience
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