A. D.

happy in his family, and was honoured with the glorious appellation of the father of his people. Frederic II. the son and successor of Christian III. was of a disposition similar 1558. to that of his father, whose conduct he also imitated. The first years of each of their reigns were passed amidst the din of war. Both fought with great courage, and exhibited much military ability; and both laid down their arms, and exalted their character by proving that they knew how to render their people powerful and happy. He engaged in a war with Sweden, which continued during a great part of his reign, and was attended with various vicissitudes of fortune. The Hanseatic towns, which were claimed by both nations, took an active part in these hostilities; and the city of Lubec, in particular, embraced the occasion of revenging itself on Sweden for the many restrictions imposed on its commerce. They concluded a treaty with the king of Denmark, and joined his fleet with a powerful squadron.

Frederic having made peace with Sweden, several commercial powers complained of the duties exacted in the Sound; and the English, Dutch, and all the Hanseatic towns, remonstrated against this impost, as an arbitrary measure, and a great discouragement to commerce but the king would not listen to their complaints. The city of Lubec still retained a considerable portion of her ancient power. When in the zenith of her glory, that town is said to have aspired to the hope of conquering Denmark; and what, perhaps, will appear more astonishing, actually sold that kingdom to an English monarch, who paid a part of the purchase

purchase money.

Frederic held the balance

between those commercial towns, and interested himself more than his predecessors in acquiring an influence over the affairs of Europe. He rendered commerce flourishing, respected the rights and property of his subjects, and obtained the esteem and affection of his people.

1588.

On the death of Frederic II. his son, A. D. Christian IV. who was only eleven in years of age, was proclaimed king of Denmark and Norway, and four regents were appointed to govern during his minority. As the kingdom had for several years enjoyed profound peace, the regency was in no danger of being disturbed by the noise and tumults of war; and it greatly increased their security that the domestic factions, in Sweden, prevented that nation from resuming the affair of Livonia, and other subjects, which had occasioned a difference between the two crowns. For some time, the principal care of the regency was employed in attending to the education of the young monarch, for whom masters were procured in all the different accomplishments of mind and body from different parts of Europe; and their success even exceeded their expectations. Christian was not only able to answer all the embassadors in their several languages, but could even dictate or write instructions to his ministers, at an age when a prince is hardly capable of following a chain of reasoning. He possessed great dexterity in all the manly exercises, and was fond of exhibiting proofs of it to the people.

Having engaged in a war against Sweden, Charles, king of that nation, incensed at all the reiterated disgraces which he sustained from the

arms

arms of Christian, challenged him to single combat. This summons, however, the Danish monarch declined with marks of contempt. A reconciliation was soon after effected, and a peace concluded between the two kingdoms, through the mediation of the king of England. The hostilities, in which Christian was engaged, were severely detrimental to Denmark, by enfeebling her maritime strength, and ruining her finances. Being chosen head of the protestant league in favour of the elector Palatine, he took an active part in the affairs of Germany; and thereby involved himself, a short time previous to his death, in another war with Sweden.

In order to re-establish his finances, Christian conceived a project, which, on account of its extraordinary magnitude, has been considered as chimerical and absurd. He intended to injure the trade of the United Provinces to the Levant, by opening an immediate intercourse with Persia and the east, through the rivers which flow into the Baltic. For that purpose a

canal was to be cut through a neck of land belonging to Holstein, in order to avoid the cir cuitous navigation of the Sound, and to protect the commerce from being injured by strangers. The Danish monarch commenced the work, but projects of that nature require a length of time before they can be crowned with ultimate success. Happy it certainly is for mankind, when they do not prove entirely abortive. The stream of commerce has been diverted from its usual course by means much less powerful; and great expectations might be formed from Christian's activity, and his stubborn perseverance in the prosecution of plans once adopted.

This prince was possessed of admirable qualifications of mind and body, retained all the fire and vehemence of youth to an advanced age, and commanded his fleets and armies in person, after he had worn the crown sixty years. Unfortunately, however, he continued also subject to the passions which often accompany youth, and was addicted to women; a circumstance that has in some measure tarnished his reputation. "But with his faults we cannot refuse him the reputation of having been a monarch remarkable for firmness, an intrepid warrior, a prince of extensive genius, and of great generosity and magnanimity.

On the death of Christian IV. his son, A. D.

1648.

Frederic III. was raised to the throne of Denmark, and displayed equal abilities with his father in war and in civil administration. The jealousy of this prince was excited against Sweden by the suggestions of the United Provinces, that if Charles X. reduced Livonia, Pomerania and Prussia, he would possess himself of the coasts of the Baltic, and injure the commerce of Denmark. Fearing this danger, Frederic declared war against Charles, who projected the invasion of Fionia in the winter, before the Danish monarch could collect a sufficient force to oppose him. The scheme of the Swedish sovereign was greatly facilitated by a hard frost, which rendered transports unnecessary, and Charles set out from Kiel, and marching over the Little Belt on the ice, attacked and defeated a strong body of Danes, who endeavoured to oppose his passage; but he lost three regiments, under whom the ice broke, and who were swallowed up in the chasm. He then made an VOL. XXII. K k attack

attack on the Danish vessels locked up by the ice, but was repulsed and baffled by the skill and intrepidity of the admiral.

Passing over into Zealand, Charles marched towards Copenhagen, which was at first thrown into consternation by the approach of the Swedish monarch; but the presence of Frederic, who was endowed with genius and valour suited to the emergency of the case, animated the citizens to withstand and oppose the enemy. The Danish sovereign became sensible that vigorous measures and hazardous enterprizes were necessary at the present crisis: and he wanted neither ability to plan nor courage to execute any project for the good of his kingdom. Neither precipitation, nor dilatory hesitation, marked his conduct. Always prepared to act, he personally watched over every measure which was to be adopted for the purpose of maturing the successes, and reaping from them their full advantage. By his incitements, the citizens of Copenhagen became intrepid soldiers, bravely fought in small boats against the ships of the besiegers, and rushed forward through a tempest of flames. Their wives and children seconded their ardour, and the queen animated them by her example and presence. That memorable siege furnished instances of almost every species of heroism. After Charles was compelled to retreat, Frederic rewarded the valour and fidelity of the citizens by well-merited privileges, and concluded a treaty of peace with Sweden, A. D. 1660.

The state of the kingdom at this period exhibit ed the defects of the government, and excited a wish in the people to find the means of remedying

them.