Animadversions on a pretended Account of Danmark

CHAP. XII.

The Disposition and Inclinations of the King of Danmark towards his Neigh∣bours.

THis Chapter seems to labour un∣der the same difficulties with the former, for as we see the Interests of Princes are changeable, so are their Inclinations; upon which rea∣son I shall leave him to dive into the Hearts of Men, and the Cabinets of Princes, and only see whither his Matter of Fact be absolutely true: For that being the Foundation, ac∣cording as that appears, we shall be able to give our opinion of his Super∣structure.

First, As this Author is a mighty Lover of Seditions within a Kingdom, so he is of Animosities and Quarrels without: Therefore his Presage is very common and often repeated, That there will be a fresh War be∣tween Danmark and Sweden: But on

the contrary, they rather grow great∣er Friends every day than other, nor has there been a stricter Alliance be∣tween those Crowns than is at pre∣sent, which has been lately renewed by solemn Treaties.

Secondly, Whenever (says he) we please to caress the one at the expence of the other, this seeming Knot will dis∣cover the weakness of the contexture, and probably dissolve of it self, p. 192. These two Princes are not to be suppos'd to break solemn Oaths and Treaties for a little interest, that may be proffered them by England and Holland: And we saw this last year, when the Danes stopt the Dutch Ships in the Sound the Swede, although never so much ca∣rest, could not be prevail'd with to go off from the King of Danmark's In∣terest, or take any other party, but contributed what he could, to pro∣cure a satisfaction for his Confede∣rate.

Thirdly, That the Alliance by the King of Sweden's having married the others Sister, is not of any moment towards a good Corresp ••ndence, p. 192.

is not altogether so certain, for this Queen whilst she lived, was the greatest Tye between these two Nati∣ons: She was the delight of them both, and that not without reason, for she had all the Accomplishments of Piety, Wisdom, Goodness, and all other Virtues: So that Sweden loves Dan∣mark for nothing more than the having received from thence a Queen, for whom they had so great a Veneration.

Fourthly, He wrongs the King of Sweden when he says, p. 193. That he showed coldness and indifference enough t•• his Queen: He a vertuous Prince, ibid. and she an accomplished Princess, ibid. and yet coldness and indifference! What is this but a Con∣tradiction? But the matter of fact is this, that never a greater Love and Esteem could be had for a Queen, than this King had for his; which was manifest y enough shewn by the deep Afiliation her Death threw him into, so that he would scarce admit of Consolation; and Sweden never heard of such a Sumptuousness and

Magnificence, as that wherewith her Burial was accompanied.

Fifthly, Whatever he ominates concerning the Swedes avoiding a fur∣ther Matrimonial Tye with Danmark, p. 193. Yet it is true, that the ge∣neral report of the World is, con∣cerning a double Marriage between the Prince Royal of Danmark, and the Princess of Sweden; as also be∣tween the Prince Royal of Sweden, and the Princess of Danmark: If so, where is this Gentlemans assurance of the impossibility of a further Matri∣monial Tye; or the certainty of the Prince of Holstein's being contract∣ed to the Princess of Sweden, whom he falsly cal's, p. 193. the only Daugh∣ter of the King of Sweden; this King having two Princesses living, by the lately deceased Queen.

Sixthly, As the Author is pretty near in guessing, that the King of Danmark would not sit down with the Duke of Zell's thrusting himself into the Dutchy of Saxe Lawenburg; so he is out of the way, when he says, that the King of Sweden would up∣hold

the Lunenburg Family, though se∣cretly: For the Swede was one of the chief Mediators that made the Duke of Zell demolish Ra••eburg last year, and give the King of Danmark the satisfaction which he desired.

Seventhly, When he says, that the Duke of Holstein has, by the Sister of the King of Danmark, issue a very hopeful Prince; one should think he has no more issue than this only Son; whereas the Duke of Holstein has se∣veral Children of both Sexes.