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COXE’S TRAVELS IN DENMARK. 321
fcripts. Among the manufcripts are many Perfian and Arabic, brought from Arabia
by Niebuhr. Among thofe of the claflics, I obferved a beautiful Cicero’s Rhetoric on
vellum, and a no lefs beautiful Virgil on vellum, of the eleventh century, which has
been collated by the learned Heyne of Gottingen for his excellent edition of the Roman
oet.
: This collection is extremely rich in Icelandic books, and in all publications relative
to the antiquities and hiftory of the three northern kingdoms. The art of typography
muft have been introduced late into Denmark; as the earlieft book printed at Co-
penhagen is Skanfky Logh, or King Waldemar’s Law of Scania, which bears the date
of 1505.
The ibrary of Count Thott, probably the largeft private collection in Europe, con-
tains one hundred and ten thoufand volumes, and above five thoufand manufcripts. It
is as remarkable for the rarity as for the number of the books, and is particularly rich
in the palzeographia, or early printed books, of which there are above two thoufand of
the fifteenth century *.
Mr. Suhm’s colleétion deferves alfo to be vifited by the lover of letters. It contain-
ed, 1785, fifty thoufand volumes collected by himfelf; it abounds with hiftcrical and
topographical publications in all languages, particularly thofe which relate to the anti-
quities and hiftory of northern Europe, the favourite object of his refearches. He pof-
feffes alfo many curious manufcripts in the Greek and Oriental languages, particularly
thofe which belonged to the celebrated Reifkius, for the purchafe of which he gave
the widow an annuity of gol. This library is open every morning from nine to eleven,
for the ufe and infpediion of men of letters, and the ftudents of the univerfity.
Suhm is juftly confidered one of the moft learned men in Denmark, in regard to the
hiftory and antiquities of the north. He has given to the public feveral works on thefe
fubjeéts, much efteemed for profoundnefs and accuracy of refearch: among others, on
the Origin of Nations in general; on the Origin of the Northern Nations; concern-
ing Odin, and the Mythology of the Northern Nations; on the Emigrations of the
Northern Nations, 2 vols.; Critical Hiftory of Denmark, 2 vols.; Hiftory of Den-
mark.
Cuar. V.—Prefentation tothe Prince Royal—Revolution in the Adminiftration effeled by
His Royal Highnefs.
JULY 16th, 1784. Ina private audience of the Prince Royal, I had the honour
of prefenting the firft edition of my Travels in Poland, Ruflia, Sweden, and Denmark.
His Royal Highnefs converfed with me for a confiderable time; and by his queftions and
remarks, gave {trong figns of a comprehenfive mind, and of a difpofition formed for
government. I could not avoid admiring a Prince, who, at the age of fixteen, acted
with fo much firmnefs, fecrecy, and difcretion ; and who lately effected a change in the
adminiftration of this kingdom, no lefs by his own prudence and courage, than by the
advice and affiftance of his friends.
Since the imprifonment and exile of Matilda, the whole power was vefted in the
Queen-dowager Juliana-Maria; and the adminiftration, which oftenfibly carried on
the public affairs, was fubfervient to her views, and to thofe of her fon Prince Fre-
deric.
* ‘This curious and valuable colleGtion, fince the death of Count Thott, has been fold by auétion; the
catalogue confifts of feveral volumes, and is a defirable acquifition to the literati.
VOL. VI. TT By
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