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THROUGH SWEDEN. 173
country, The refources of a ftate are chiefly three; population,
revenue, and territory. The firft two are not confiderable in
Sweden ; the laft 1s great in extent, though not fo in its imme-
diate value: but the vaft extent of territory itfelf is an object of
importance. Land and feas, however fterile and rude, con-
{tantly become more fertile and ufeful, as the courfe of fcience
and art advances—as the French fay, ‘‘ Toujours va la terre au-
“bon.” Art fubdues natural difficulties and difadvantages, and
finds new ufes for materials of every defcription: and, finally, it
may be juftly obferved that, in the very rudenefs of the natural
elements, and in their poverty, the Swedes have a pledge and
fecurity for civil freedom and political independence.
It is deemed a very great calamity in Sweden, and one not lefg
heavy than a bad harveft, if the winter be fuch as to prevent the
ufe of fledges, becaufe it is by means of thefe that bulky commo-
dities, namely, iron, wood, grain, and other articles, are conveyed
from one place to another. Winters, however, fo mild that
fledges cannot be ufed, fometimes will happen; then the commu-
nication is limited, and commercial intercourfe confined: for the
highways are by no means fufficient for the purpofes of travelling
and carrying goods; whereas, with a {ledge you may proceed on
the f{now, through forefts and marfhes, acrofs rivers and lakes,
without any impediment or interruption. It is on account of
this facility of tranfporting merchandize over the ce) that all the
great fairs in Sweden and Finland are held in the winter feafon.
Nor is it an uncommon thing for the peafants to undertake jour-
neys,
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