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106 TRAVELS
as it is otherwife called, the Eighteen, was inftituted by Guftavus III.
in 1788. Of this academy it may be faid in general, that in-
ftead of feeking, it would be fought after; inftead of encouraging
geniufes formed by nature, its aim and objet is to create them:
and certainly it muft be owned that it is a nobler atchievement to
make fomething out of nothing, than to finifh a work after it is
begun. It holds out prizes, it is true; but it 1s neceffary to be in
favour with fome of the members in order to obtain one. The
merit of a compofition alone is not fuffictent to enfure it fuccefs ;
powerful recommendations and good management and addrefs
are required. The members of the academy know beforehand
who 1s to gain the prize, becaufe this is a matter that depends on
their own will. They even lend a hand to the favourite candi-
date for the improvement of his eflay, and keep up a correfpon-
dence with him upon the fubject. It is not fo much the judg-
ment, as the inclination of the academy, that decides. Above all —
things, a candidate for the prize muft take good care not to drop
a hint of the time employed on his treatife. An author for whom
the academy had deftined the firft prize, inadvertently mentioned
in conyerfation that he had finifhed his effay in no longer a period
than eight days: the confequence was, that he loft the honour he
would otherwife have obtained. During my abode at Stockholm J
the prize was decreed in favour of a compofition entitled, <* A
«¢ Poem to Melpomene, or on the dramatic Art ;” containing
fome common place obferyations, expreffed in high founding
terms, and praifing different theatrical pieces, among which there
was
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