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NATIONAL CHARACTER ANI) SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
149
met witli in nations where the great masses have only recently begun to
enjoy the advantages of book-learning.
Generations of Swedes have thus received the educational advantages
of reading. On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that the
extensive area of the country, the sparseness of the population, and, in
many parts, their poverty have debarred the Swedish people from many
opportunities of mental improvement which the school of life affords in
more wealthy and more thickly populated countries. Hence the
intellectual development of the Swede appears somewhat irregular, and does not
assert itself sufficiently in practical life. A certain coarseness of mind
is, moreover, still to be found in many places as a bequest from the
incessant wars of bygone ages — and perhaps also from the widespread
prevalence of drunkenness which marked the earlier part of the 19th
century.
Swedes have always been distinguished for soldierlike qualities and
it may safely be affirmed, without exaggeration, that the history of Sweden’s
wars is one of the most brilliant chapters in the history of the world.
There are many signs which show that these qualities still subsist, in spite
of a century of peace. Scarcely a war is waged in any part of the world,
even in our own times, but that a considerable number cf Swedes volunteer
for service, and these men seldom fail to reflect credit on their country.
Think of war what we will, it cannot be denied that it summons forth
the mightiest forces in the human soul, and abundantly reveals the true
character of a people. As for the Swedes, it brings out clearly the
brighter aspects of their nature, undaunted valour, the courage of
endurance, self-sacrifice, and chivalry — the virtues of the open battle-field.
Dark fanaticism (such as impelled the citizens of Xumantia or Zaragoza
to bury themselves beneath the ruins of their native cities) is foreign to
the Swedish temperament. So also is gloomy hate: the Swede is always
merciful and conciliatory towards a vanquished foe — often far more so
than is consonant with his own advantage.
Humanity is thus a salient trait in the Swedish character, as is evinced
by the way in which Swedes have in past times treated other nations.
There are not many instances on record, perhaps none at all, of one nation
treating another as Sweden treated Finland; how out of the country she had
conquered she formed a sister nation with equal rights to her own, bestowed on
her a full share in her civilization, and literally educated her, as an elder sister
educates a younger — a thing almost unparalleled among nations. And
wherever Swedish rule has been exercised — as in the Baltic provinces, in Pommern,
and elsewhere — it has left behind it pleasant memories, as of a rule of
justice and humanity, which has never attempted to despoil and oppress, but as
far as possible, to develop and raise its subject peoples. A characteristic example
is the only colony founded by Swedes in foreign parts, namely "New Sweden"
in Delaware. The Swedes were the only European nation that succeeded in
living in perfect concord with the native Indians and in all their dealings
treated them with justice and humanity: hence the colonists of New Sweden have
always been known among the natives as "our white brothers."
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