them. The prophecy of Luther was by this time fully accomplished: the nobles had gradually and imperceptibly acquired an undue influence, and obtained a power which proved very onerous to the people. The possessions of the clergy, which had been annexed to the royal domains, they had taken on lease; from leaseholders, they had insensibly become proprietors; and, under pretence of their ancient prerogatives, they refused to pay the taxes to which those possessions had been formerly subject; and hence the whole burden of taxation fell on the lower classes. The bishops and clergy still existed in the kingdom; but, as the prelacies had been stripped of their principal riches, the nobles no longer sought them; and they were in the possession of commoners, whose influence the nobility disdained.

John Swan, bishop of Copenhagen, however, formed the design of overthrowing that proud colossus which strutted in heraldry, and for that purpose joined himself to John Nansen, a merchant, chief of the class of citizens, a man equally capable of projecting a great enterprize or of carrying it into execution. Having associated themselves with others, to whom they made known their design, they consulted how they might compel the nobles to bear their just proportion of the public expences; and were sensible that they would procure an exemption from every tax imposed on them by the senate, which was entirely composed of the nobility. Conceiving, therefore, that they must commence by weakening the senate, they determined to extend the royal prerogative; and place it on so Kk 2 firm

firm a foundation as should for ever secure it from all danger of being shaken.

At this time, the diet was assembled at Copenhagen, the inhabitants of which were all warmly devoted to the king and queen, whose great qualities they had admired, and whose kindness and be-' nevolence they had experienced, during the siege. A germ of discord had very clearly developed itself between the citizens and the nobles, the latter of whom were jealous of the privileges granted to the former; who, being now accustomed to arms, were proud of their success, and offended with the persons that envied them those favours which they had so well merited. In the first sitting of the states, the confederates presented a memorial expressive of the situation of the people, and the absolute impossibility of raising the necessary supplies for the service of the government, unless the nobility would bear their just proportion of the taxes. The nobles, being numerous, powerful, and insolent, treated this proposal with the greatest disdain; and declared that the people were vassals, and vassals they should remain. Reconsidering the matter, however, they consented to submit to the payment; but for two years only, and with certain restrictions.

Having thus, as they imagined, conceded sufficiently, they drew upon their part a statement of grievances, in which they inserted insulting reflexions on the citizens. In the mean time, the two other orders declared that the contributions which had been produced, even though the nobles should give their unrestricted consent to them, were insufficient; and that it was neces

sary

sary the fiefs and domains of the crown, which the nobility had hitherto enjoyed under very moderate rents, should be farmed out to the highest bidder. This proposal was received with indignation by the nobles, who were touched in a sensible part, and who uttered personalities even in the hall of the diet; and, without doors, the deputies viewed each other with hatred and contempt. One of the principal citizens, returning from the king's palace, was met by a nobleman, who abruptly asked him, "What

have you been doing there?" The other not answering him immediately, he pointed to the tower, which served as the state-prison, and added, "Do you know that place, and the use "for which it is appropriated?" Without opening his lips, the citizen pointed to the steeple of the principal church, where hung the alarmbell, whose sound could instantly convene the the people against the nobles.

During these transactions, Frederic, who was apprised of and consented to the projected revolution of the two orders, remained in the recesses of his palace, and quietly awaited the turn of events; or rather directed them. Without suffering their first ardour to cool, the citizens and clergy set out for the place where the nobles held their sittings; and, on their way, were accompanied by a countless multitude of people, who testified their approbation of these proceedings by loud and reiterated acclamations of joy. Having entered the hall, Nansen commenced a a succinct but energetic discourse, in which he displayed the evils of the state, enumerated the important services which the king had rendered to the nation, represented that none but he who Kk 3 had

L

had rescued her from impending danger would be able to save her; and concluded by observing, that both gratitude and necessity rendered it necessary, that the crown should be hereditary in the family of Frederic,

The nobles, not prepared for so sudden and decisive a resolution, answered with hesitation, that they were ready to participate in the honour of conferring so glorious a present on the king and his posterity; but that they wished so great and important a work should be conducted with cool prudence and mature deliberation; and, while the deputies of the two orders were listening to their harangues, they sent persons to sound the king's disposition, and to know whether he would be satisfied, if the crown remained in the male line. Frederic answered that what the senate projected would be agreeable to him, unless the right of succession were also extended to the females. In the meantime, Nansen declared that the two orders had formed their resolution, and that if the nobles refused to co-operate with them in this measure, they would immediately repair to the king, who waited for them.

Having thus spoken, they departed, and were received with great affability by Frederic, who thanked them, and told them that, though he would not decline their offer, it must be sanctioned by unanimous approbation, and that the consent of the nobles was an indispensable condition; that he should never forget the zeal and affection which they had evinced for him; and concluded by desiring them to continue their sessions until the affair should be brought to a happy termination, by the union of the three

orders

orders. In fact, the king knew that he possessed the means of accelerating the union: the citizens of Copenhagen had been martialised during the siege, and were all devoted to his interest; and, among the senators, there were some on whom he could depend.

Whilst the nobles, therefore, were hesitating and deliberating on this matter, Frederic ordered the gates of the city to be shut, in order, as he pretended, to secure the diet from any danger which the ferment of the people might occasion. But when the assembly, struck with astonishment and terror, sent a deputation to inquire into the reasons of that extraordinary measure, the king answered, that the private evasion of some of their members, and the fear that others would imitate their example, and endeavour to break up the assembly of the states, were the causes for issuing that order; and that they might continue their deliberations in perfect safety.

Having briefly consulted on the subject, the nobles sent to inform the king, and the other orders, that they were ready to do what had been proposed to them, and to subscribe in every thing to the will of Frederic. Measures were accordingly taken to give to the revolution, which had been thus effected, every characterestic that could stamp it with solemnity and durability. The king being rendered absolute, all the acts which restricted his authority, and to which he had formerly sworn, were annulled; and his subjects took a new oath of allegiance. After which," of his own certain knowledge "and plenary power," without the concurrence of any other authority, the monarch regulated

the