Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVI. Reign of Gustavus III, 1771–1792 - C. Reforms of Gustavus III - D. Culture during the Period
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286 A History of Sweden
lished. This spirit was expressed in the words of Fred-
erick II: "In my country each one may be saved in
his own way." Times had changed since the Swedish
Church engaged in a life-and-death struggle for its
faith. This act also aimed at inducing wealthy and
enterprising foreigners to settle in the country and
build up trade and industry.
Freedom of the Press. One of the civil rights which
writers of the period had most earnestly advocated was
the freedom of the press. This freedom the Younger
Cap party had established. The ordinance, however,
forbade the publishing of attacks on the Christian re-
ligion and the constitution of the realm as well as of
libelous and immoral writings. This ordinance was
now in the main confirmed by Gustavus III. He had,
indeed, seen abuses of this freedom, and the council
strove to induce him to repeal the law. But he replied :
"A king may through the freedom of the press get to
hear the truth, which is often enough, and successfully,
concealed from him."
D. CULTURE DURING THE REIGN
The Court Life. Never before had life at court been
so significant to the people as during the reign of Gus-
tavus III. He had himself shared in the French court
life, which had become a model for all European courts.
He loved its pomp and splendor, its ceremonies and
pageantry. He delighted in surrounding himself with
his country’s genius, wit, and beauty. He, the royal
charmer, through his amiability, his refinement, his
wit, his genial conversation, was the soul of this bril-
liant drama, in which every movement, every gesture
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