Animadversions on a pretended Account of Danmark

CHAP. VIII.

The Conditions, Customs, and Temper of the People.

THis Authors Book would be very plausible, if People would oblige themselves in the reading of one Chap∣ter, not to remember what may have been said in another. His eighth Chap∣ter

is long enough of it self to require the same dispensation; for the Reader will be at a loss if he makes use of his memory, or if he hopes, that the mid∣dle should be agreeable to the begin∣ning, or the end not be contradictory to them both. As he has hitherto been partial, in representing the nature and change of the Danish Government, so it is no wonder, if he be mistaken in the consequences he draws from thence: The condition, customs and temper of the People, he says, are in∣fluenced by the change of Government. Whatever alteration that may have undergone, and whatever new Fashi∣ons may by chance, or humour be brought in, as to Cloaths; yet still the customs of the People are the same they were before: And more especi∣ally they continue their free and merry way of living, their Hospitaliay, and their Liberality, all which the Danes and Norsh have always look'd upon as their native qualities; these make the condition of People of all ranks to be very far from deplorable. (p. 75.) For they know, that what he

calls habitual slavery, (ibid.) in them is nothing but a due obedience to su∣pream powers, not interrupted by any Mutiny or Rebellion: His Laziness (ibid.) is in them a contented mind, his setting them beyond hopes and fears; is their desiring not to intrench upon the power lodg'd in their Prince; nor creating needless Jealousies and Mi∣strusts, lest he should misuse it. For it seems, ib. the Danes have mortified am∣bition, emulation, and other troublesome qualities, which freedom begets, and which ill men may indeed admire, but common morality has set forth to them as vices. From hence they are so far from finding themselves in a sickly constitution, that on the contrary, they have evident and sensible proofs, that their obedience makes the con∣stitution of the Danish. Government strong and vigorous; so as to be able to fling off any ill humours that may be bred within, and to repulse any acci∣dent from without. Nay they see it not only healthy, but gay and florid, proceeding on from strength to strength in greater degrees, than it

has done heretofore, either within their own Memories, or the Records of their Ancestors.

And indeed the Government is so much the stronger, because the No∣bility now assist to the support of it. It is easily imagined, that the Nobles were in some greater power before the alteration; and that they were richer, when they contributed nothing toward the publick necessities of their Country, than they are now. How∣ever they are not diminisht, or grown so low (p. 75.) as this Author would insinuate; that proportion which they pay to the publick Taxes for the de∣fence of their Country, being only deducted, they are in the same con∣dition which they were before, and live very great and nobly on their seats in the Country, some of which, tho ancient, are very decent, others built after the modern Architecture: and they delighting much in Gardens, have them in very good perfection. This is the utmost difference, that whereas formerly only the ancient Families call'd Adelen, or the Nobility lived so;

(because then no others could purchase Lands) now any one of the Burgher state that can afford it, may keep his Country Seat as well as the Nobility. What the Nobles pay in Taxes is suffi∣ciently repaid to several of them by the profitable Imployments, which they have in Civil Affairs; and as they help towards the maintaining of an Army, so they reap the benefit, by being general Officers in it.

These Employments our Author complains of, as grievous, p. 78. to the Nobility; whereas it seems much bet∣ter than living at home uselessly, and 'tis no more than what they do in all other Courts of Europe. Nor are the Civil Employments so few, or of so small value, as he would make them, p 78. For though the Long Robe has not places of such vast profit as elsewhere; yet every Government having its Go∣vernour, and several Officers subordi∣nate, there must be abundance of Employments, whose names cannot be so properly exprest in the En∣glish.

Our Author has given us a very odd account of the Nobility, and begins with affirming, that Antient Riches and Valour were the only Titles to Nobi∣lity formerly in this Country: whereas not he that was Rich and Valiant, therefore consequently became a No∣bleman: but the Nobility having got all the Lands to themselves, might easily engross the Reputation of being brave and valiant. None, it seems, then took their Degree or Patents of Honour from the King. First, If this were true, it could not be for the good of any Nation, where for an encouragement to glorious Actions, there ought to be some fountain of Honour, and the King certainly is the most proper one: but in the second place, 'tis evident that as well before as after the altera∣tion, the King of Danmark made No∣blemen, and gave Patents of Honour to them that deserved well, as can be proved by several instances, in the Reign of Christian the IV. and Frede∣rick the III. (before he was made ab∣solute) as also in the Reigns of their Predecessors. Of late years, he says,

p. 79. some few Titles of Baron and Count and nothing higher, have been given to Favorites, who enjoy not the same pri∣viledges by those Titles, which our Lords in England do, but content themselves with a few airy insignificant ones. There is no necessity that the Nobili∣ty of another Country, should in eve∣ry thing correspond with that of En∣gland; suppose the Counts and Barons in Danmark not to be just the same, are therefore their Titles airy and in∣significant? On the quite contrary, there's no Country in Europe, where Counts and Barons have such a Pre∣eminence, as in Danmark. When the King there gives Sheild and Helm (as they c••ll it) that is a Noblemans Coat of Arms with a Patent of Nobility to him; then such a man is distinguished from the common people: (and such as these only were made before the Alteration, except some few Counts created by foreign Monarchs and Princes. But when the King will pro∣mote a person to a degree higher, which he never does, unless he has so great an Estate as is requisite to sustain

his Honour and Character, then he gives the Titles of Baron or Count (for Dukes there are none in Dan∣mark, that Title of old time, properly belonging to the Royal Family) this Honour is far greater, and has several Priviledges above the rest of the No∣bility, as may be seen in the Danish Law. And yet it may more easily be imagin'd, that that honour must be so much the greater, by reason of the rarity of such Titles, there not being twenty in the whole Kingdom.

The following paragraph, that 'tis only this kind of Nobility with Titles, that have liberty to make a Will, and thereby to dispose of any Estate, otherwise than as the Law has determined, unless such Will, in the Life of the Testator, be approved of, and signed by the King; has more than one mistake in it, for not only this kind, but all the Nobility, have Titles from the Lands they pos∣sess and are Lords of; these indeed have the highest Titles of Count and Baron, and then not only they, but all the Nobility, nay any one among the Clergy and Citizens can make a Will;

only it is to be observed, that it is re∣quired to every such Testament from whomsoever it comes, that it be ap∣prov'd and sign'd by the King, to render it of force and valid, that the Estate may go otherwise than the Law hath determined. Neither is it true, that the King (p. 81.) assumes to him∣self the power of disposing all Heirs and Heiresses of any consideration. Some∣times the King may interpose his Me∣diation for the Marriage of some of the chief Nobility, but it is far from being his usual custom, much less does he assume any power to constrain them, or cause them, who do not hearken to his Recommendation, to lye under the pain of his displeasure, p. 81. which is too weighty to be born.

The Nobility being forc'd to endure the forementioned hardships, It is possi∣ble, p. 81. most of the present Possessors would quit the Country, the first opportunity, if there were not such a severe Law against aliena∣tions: That if any one would transport himself, the third part of his Purchase Money shall accrue to the King. This Law is not more hard, than it is un∣necessary,

for there being no buying and selling of Land in Danmark, (p. 80.) the Kings third part of Purchase Money will amount to but little; and where Estates are a charge, (ibid.) and the Proprietors can scarce obtain the favour of the King to be so gracious as to take their Estates from them, (p. 77.) one would fancy, that all landed men would lay the Key under the door, and be scampering: now to mend their condition, and to get free from Mo∣narchy and Taxes: I would advise them to hasten to a neighbouring Commonwealth, the Seat of Liberty, where the chief Minister of their State has not above 5001. salary, and where their Excise and Taxes laid on their Estates, amount often to above their yearly income. After all, the Law, a•• it is reasonable to prevent the Subject from following his own humour to the prejudice of his native Country, so i•• does require but a sixth part to the King, and a tenth part of the rest to the Magistrate of the place, both which, according to my Arithmetick will not amount to a third part, a••

is reported by our Author with his Geometrical Exactness.

Land being worth nothing, how must the Counts and Barons do to live? Why they are obliged by all manner of ways to keep in with the Court, as indeed all are, who have a mind to live, and eat bread, p. 79. What then will become of the rest of the Adelen, or native Gentry? Why military employments are mightily covered by them, p. 81. almost as much as the civil, and for the same reason, that the Priest's Office was among the Jews, viz. That they may eat a piece of Bread. Bread! Bread! is the universal Cry, and our Author seems to have bor∣rowed his Images not from the Jews, but rather from the Egyptians, calling upon Pharoah towards the latter end of the seven years of Famine.

Want of Bread is not the only mis∣fortune, for it comes attended with other miseries; for he says, that the King of Danmark (p. 81.) imitates the French practice in this particular, to make the Gentry poor, and render Traf∣fick unprofitable and dishonourable: Men of birth must live, and one half of the

Nation, by giving themselves up to Sla∣very, will contribute their assistance after∣wards to put Chains upon the other: Yet in Danmark Natives are considered less than Strangers, and all sorts of places civil and military are fill'd more by Fo∣reigners, than Gentlemen of the Country, &c. Were all these things true, they would be very great evidences of a corrupt Government: But I shall beg leave to set the Reader right as to these particulars, and the condition of the people. The Plenty of the whole Country has been sufficiently described, and in the midst of this, the chief Nobility enjoy the Governments of the several Provinces, and the chief Offices of the Kingdom; the rest of the Adelen, or Nobility, have subor∣dinate Governments and Offices, some at Court, and others in the Countries where they have their Seats of Resi∣dence; some Germans are in the Court, but the native Subjects are in greater number, as the Counts Guldenlew, Rant∣zow, Reventlaw, Ahlefelt, Frits; Baron Juel, Messieurs Hogh, Moth, Harboe, Scholier, Luxdorf, and a great many

more, too numerous to be here insert∣ed: And Natives likewise are in all the Governments throughout the Pro∣vinces. Men of Birth breed up their Sons to several Employments, some to civil Affairs, some to Studies, and some to Trade and Traffick, which is as profitable and honourable there as Merchants can desire; it has all encou∣ragement from the King, and many of the highest rank interest themselves in it continually. Some Gentlemen apply themselves to Arms, and endea∣vour that way to be serviceable to their Country; there are abundance of these in Commission: Foreigners there are indeed in some number, but it must be considered, that they came thither in the late War, and took pay in Danmark, either of their own ac∣cord, or hired out by their Princes: These are by birth Germans, French, Scotch, Poles, Prussians, &c. Yet these very men are naturalized, married, and settled in Danmark, and so are now to be accounted Danes. The Inhabi∣tants do not pay the Souldiers, nor are constantly plagu'd with insolent Inmates,

who Lord it where they dwell, p. 87. For the ••ane lying under a necessity from his Neighbourhood to maintain an Army at home, does it after the manner that may be most easy to the People, which is this: Souldiers are scattered univer∣sally all round about the Countries. The Officers there often take Houses, and live with their Families, their Com∣panies quartering round about them. The Souldiers are quartered upon the Inhabitants, who are to find them Bed, Salt, and Sour, or Vinegar. If the Landlord finds his Souldiers disagree∣able, he may hire them a Lodging elsewhere for a small matter: But the Souldier is generally desirous to oblige his Landlord which he does by seve∣ral offices and labours that he per∣forms for him, and is rewarded with his Diet, which otherwise he must find for himself, so that by that means he may have the Kings Pay clear for his Pocket. And hence it proceeds, that a Souldier comes to be as desirous in a Family as a Servant; their Arrears are small, the Pay being as constant, and the Discipline as exact and severe, as

any where can be, both for Officers and Souldiers. Strangers find them∣selves so well entertain'd in Danmark and Norway, that it is no wonder they flock thither: Great Civility, Cour∣tesies and Hospitality are shown to∣wards them, which if our Author will have to be a fault, is certainly one upon the best natur'd side. A man would hardly have thought to have found any People in Danmark, accord∣ing to our Author's Description) that could get out of it: Much less to have found Strangers there, and that per∣sons, honoured by being born within the Confines of the Empire, or Poles who have Parliaments, would vent••re thi∣ther. But I see at last, that there is in Danmark something worth getting, and leaving one's own Country to be∣come Master of.

Come we now to an unexpected pa∣ragraph, and which is beyond all cre∣dibility; by what has been said before, one would have thought the Danes went on foot at least, if they did not go bare-foot, when on a sudden (p. 83.) he acquaints us with their Expensiveness

in Retinue, Cloaths, &c. and of a prodi∣gality not only in the Gentry, whose con∣dition is more easy, but likewise in the Burgher and Peasant. It is not deny'd, but that the Danes have always been, and are now inclin'd to a handsome way of living, and to the free enjoy∣ment of what they are lawfully possest of. It is the generousness, p. 83. of their temper and nature which makes them do it, and not our Author's reasons, viz. the difficulty of procuring a comfortable subsistence, and the little security of en∣joying what shall be acquired through in∣dustry; the sense, that they live but from hand to mouth, making them live to day, as the Poet advises, not knowing but what they now have, may be taken from them to morrow. They all know the quite contrary; and whatever the Po∣et may say, they are certain the Law says, that what they have to day, shall not be taken from them to morrow: As for their spending prodigally, because they come by it difficultly, Sancho may teach him, that 'tis rather, lightly come, lightly go; and I look upon this Pro∣verb to be as true as his Assertion: Be∣ing

in a merry humour, and in with his Poets, he gives us a bit of Latin,

Torva Leaena Lupum sequitur, Lupus ipse Capellam, Florentem Cytisum sequitur lasciva Capella.

The admirable application, and the use he makes of his Learning, (accord∣ing to his modern Education) as he gives it us is this: p. 84. That the Gentleman spends presently on himself, and pleasures all that he can get, for fear his Money be taken from him by Taxes, before he has eaten or drank for it: The Peasant assoon as he gets a Rixdoller lays it out in Bran∣dy, lest his Landlord should hear of it, and take it from him. Thus

Torva Leaena, &c.

Little could Virgil imagine when he wrote those Verses, that future ages would make Florentem Cytisum be by interpretation a Brandy Bottle. Pray•• Sir, to be serious, do they in Danmark first search for what a man has by him, and then lay on the Taxes? or rather as in other Countries, proportion them to his way of living, his estate and

employments? What man in England would set up his Coach to avoid the Poll Tax, by which he is to pay five pound more for keeping it?

Come we now to the Merchant and Burgher, these he says, p. 84. subsist purely upon credit, there being very few that can be called rich, or worth a hundred thou∣sand Rixdollars. Less than a hundred thousand Rixdollars by far•• will give a man the denomination o•• ••ich in Dan∣mark or Norway; an Esta••e of 10, ••0, or 50 thousand will be called Riches there, for we must consider, that a Rixdollar will go every way farther there, than a pound sterling in En∣gland. Nay the Author himself, p. 103. when he is to show the grievous••••ss of the Taxes affirms, that a Rixdollar, con∣sidering the scarcity of Money, ought to be computed to go farther than three Crowns with us. And at this rate there are not so few wealthy men as he would perswade us. Th••t Trade should be managed by Credit is no wonder, it is punctual Payment which maintains it, and their Credit would soon be lost, if they had not wherewithal to pay their Creditors.

Manufactures have been endeavour'd to be introduced, not so much with a design of benefitting the publick, p. 85. as private Courtiers and great men, who were the Undertakers; but in a little time all came to nothing. For 'tis a sure Rule, Trade will not be forc'd, where proper••y is not secur'd. It is apparent from h••nce, that Trade is not discou∣raged in Danmark, p. 81. since by his Confes••••••on, Courtier•• and great men be∣come Undertakers: It is certain, likewise that in Danmark several Manufactures have succeeded very well, others indeed have no•• had the same success, not be∣cause property is not secur'd, but be∣cause they can have the same Commo∣dities cheaper from Holland, Spain or England. The making Silks, and Drink∣ing Glasses, (though these latter are made in great perfection in Copenhagen) did not turn to account, because there is no property in Danmark! Should you, Sir, take Sir Robert Viners House in Lombardstreet, and set up a Manufa∣cture for the making Tacks at three pence a thousand, and employ about 500 Smiths to furnish London with 'em,

and this project should not turn to one per cent. must I attribute this misfortune to the unsecureness of the English pro∣perty, or rather to the discretion of the Ironmongers, who can have them about II d. in the Shilling cheaper, if they will but send to Brumigham. Who thinks his Estate to have the worse title, because he sees People daily fling their Money away in Stock-job∣bing?

There being an impossibility of ha∣ving Manufactures introduc'd into Danmark, p. 84. trading Towns and Villages are all fallen to decay. Kioge once a flourishing little Sea-Port Town, lent Christian IV. two hundred thousand Rix∣dollars, but upon occasion of the late Poll Tax the Collectors were forced to take Featherbeds, Brass, Pewter, &c. in lieu of Money. That trading Towns should fall to decay, when Trade encreases will scarce gain belief. As for Kioge, that Town lying within four Leagues of Copenhagen, 'tis no wonder if the Trade is in some measure decreased, since the flourishing of that City: We have this Authors word for it, that

Kioge raised so much money in four and twenty hours time. Two hundred thousand Rixdollars (and those (as was said before) equivalent to English pounds) is a good round summ for a little Town to lend in a days time; they lent so much then, that it is no great wonder they have no great plen∣ty now: However it was no such great sight in England (even in King Charles's time) to see a sturdy fray, between a Collector of Chimney-money, and an Old Woman in behalf of her Porridge Pot, and batter'd Pewter Dish, the only Ornament of her Cupboard. And yet I suppose, the Author does not take us to have been undone then, though such an instance (which he has only by hear-say, p. 85.) is enough to prove all the Danes to be ruin'd.

If this be the Case of the Gentleman and Burgher, what can be expected to be that of the poor Peasant? p. 86. What indeed? In Sealand they are all as absolute Slaves, as the Negroes are in Barbadoes, but with this difference, that their fare is not so good. For indeed every body knows, that there is great care taken by the

Planter, throughout all the West In∣dies, to provide dainties for their Ne∣groes, which consist of Pork very sel∣dom, and Potato's always. The Au∣thor is to b•• excused for his mistakes in this paragraph, because they cannot so easily be rectified without the Danish Law, which I suppose he never consult∣ed. It must be known that from imme∣morial time in Sealand, there has been a Law about Vornede, as they are called in Danmark, that is Vassals; the •••••• whereof is, that a Boor born upon a Landlord's Land, is obliged to stay there, and not to leave his Service, ex∣cept he is freed by his Landlord. But first, what he says, that neither they, nor their Posterity to all Generations, can leave the Land to which they belong, p. 86. is far from being true: for the Land∣lord may make them free when he pleases, which is often practised: Or they may obtain their freedom for a small summ of money, which is done commonly. Or if it happens, that a Vassal comes away, and stays ten years in a City, or twenty in the Country any where, without his Landlords ground,

he is free from his claim. Secondly, That Gentlemen count their Riches by their stocks of Boors, as here with us byour stocks of Cattle, p. 86. is of the same stamp: As we say, such a Gentleman has so many Tenants, by which we mean so many Farms; so throughout all Dan∣mark they say, he has so many Boors, not that he has many head of Boors, as we would say of Cattle. Thirdly, That in case of Purchase, they are sold as belonging to the Freehold, just as Timber Trees. In England, when a Mannor is sold, all the services due to the Man∣nor are sold with it; and it is no other∣wise in Danmark. Further the Land∣lord cannot go, for the Law says, the Landlord may make his Vassal free, but he must by no means sell him to ano∣ther; if the Vassal be sold, then he's free, both from him that sold and bought him. Neither, fourthly, Do the Boors with all that belongs to them, appertain to the Proprietor of the Land. For such a Vassal owes nothing more to his Landlord, than that he shall stay on his Land, till his Ground, and pay him his Rent; which when it is done,

reasonably the Landlord can require nothing more of him; so that this Law of Vassals in Sealand, was princi∣pally introduc'd, that the Landlords might not want Tenants. These Vas∣sals may be transplanted from one Farm to another. The Vornede are only in Sealand, and the King would have given them freedom there, since the Alteration, but that he was shewed there would have been several inconve∣niencies attending it. As to the conditi∣on of the Country People throughout the rest of Danmark and Norway, it is just like that of the Farmers in England, paying their Rent and Due to the Landlord, or leaving his Farm when they cannot agree together. They do indeed ••••arter Souldiers, but it is in the manner before described. And they are bound to furnish Horses and Waggons for the Kings Baggage and Retinue when he travels. These are provided by an Officer in the nature of our Constable, who takes care, that there shall be an equal share for every Peasant through∣out Sealand and other Provinces, where the King of Danmark travels;

so that it does not come to the same Boors turn above once a year; for not only they that live near the Road, but those likewise who lye farther off, must attend in their order. This seem∣ed to our Author to be the greatest hard∣ship imposed on these poor Peasants. He has seen 'em so beaten and abus'd by Lacqueys, that it has often mov'd his pity and indignation to see it, p. 90. Tender hearted Gentleman! There was no Provocation on the Boors side I war∣rant you! They are generally better bred than to give ill language! If you were so touched with this, how would your Pity, Sir, have been mov'd, had you seen a Dane's head broke in a vio∣lent Passion, because he could not leta Draw-bride down soon ••nough, or had you seen one of the Kings Huntsmen cut over the pate by a Footman? Men may talk of Barbadoes and Negroes, but the Danes are never us'd so much like Slaves, as when they meet with some sort of Envoys.

According to the account hitherto of People in all stations, one would imagine the Beggars to be innumera∣ble;

but it seems, that you will scarce see a Beggar in the streets of Copenha∣gen, except before some Burghers door, who that day gives Alms to the poor of his Parish. For all the poor People of a Parish go about one day to one, another to another Citi∣zen, ••ho knows his day when he is to give them M••at or Money, both for Di••ner and Supper. If any other Beg∣gar is seen in the street, an Officer carries him immediately to Prison or Punishment.

After what has been said, concern∣ing the state of all sorts of persons, even to the mean••st, who do not ap∣pear to want acomfortable subsistence; what man will not presently agree with the Author, when he says, Dan∣mark at present is but competently peo∣pled, p. 88. Vexation of Spirit, ill Diet and Poverty being great obstructions to Pro∣crea••ion; and the Peasants, who before used to have a large piece of Plate or two, Gold Rings, Silver Spoons, &c. not ha∣ving them now, or indeed any other uten∣sil of value, unless it be Featherbeds, whereof there are better, and in greater

plenty than in any place he ever saw. I should have imagin'd Featherbeds to have been as proli••ick a piece of Furni∣ture, as Gold Rings and Silver Por∣ringers.

However the People have continued much about the same number for these two or three hundred years: As to the Multitudes that have been there here∣tofore, this may be observed, that since from all the three Northern Kingdoms, Danmark, Norway and Sweden, and the adjacent Provinces, near the Elbe and Weser, so many swarms went out so often to conquer and inhabit other more fertile and Southern Countries, it is probable at last so great deducti∣ons might exhaust the number; as Saxo Grammaticus in his eighth Book, in the Life of King S••io says, that when the Lombards went out of Dan∣mark, in the great famine and dearth that reigned then, the Kingdom was so deserted, that great Woods and Forests grew up in ma••y places, where before had been fertile ground; and to this day, the signs of the Plough are to be seen among the Trees. Ano∣ther

great reason is attributed to the Plague, called the Black Death, that ravaged all the Northern Kingdoms, in the year 1348. when so many died, that scarce the tenth man was left to till the ground.

Our Author gives another reason, why they are not so numerous as for∣merly, for discontent kills 'em, and 'tis usual to have them die of a Slatch, which is an Apoplexy proceeding from trouble of mind. The Falling Sickness is more common in the Northern King∣doms than with us, but not to that degree that our Author talks of, (p. 90.) And their Apoplexies are not half so ••atal, as they have been in England, within these few years. 'Tis scarce reconcileable, that people should die in such number for discontent, whom in the beginning of the Chapter, he de∣scribes, p. 75. as taken up with a dull pleasure of being careless and insen∣sible.

Let us proceed to the description of their Diet, in which the Reader may e••p••ct exactness, seeing our Author all along seems to have been a good

Trencher-man; Their Tables are usu∣ally well furnished with Dishes, yet he cannot commend their cheer, p 92. Other English-men have mightily commended their Cheer, and never complained of the Leanness of their Meat: The truth is, the Danes like it the better for not being very fat; the greatest fault which they and other strangers find with the English Meat is, that it is too fat, which disagrees with most of 'em. This may be one reason, and perhaps a better than that of Properly not be∣ing secure, why they have not been over diligent to Introduce the Fa••ning of Tame Fowl, it being an Art not known to above two or three in Copen∣hagen. And yet Fat Capons were in Danmark and Norway long before any English-man brought in the Cramming Manufacture, p. 92. Beef and Veal, p. 42. he allows them: Wether Mutton is scarce, and seldom good; not so scarce or bad, though not in such plenty, or so fat as in England; Wild Ducks taste as well as in England; Plovers they have, but do not care for, but Snipes and other Sea Fowl in abundance, through all Dan∣mark.

According to him here are no wild Pheasants, Woodcocks, Rabbits, or Fallow Deer, Red Deer being the Kings game, not to be bought for mony. What game is permitted by Law to be sold in our English Markets? Wild Pheasants are not there as yet, but the Prince Royal having a Nursery of tame ones near Copenhagen, and they increasing prodigiously, it is thought they will soon grow wild and common. Their Woodcocks call'd Agerhons are most delicious in Danmark. They have all sorts of Venison in plenty and per∣fection, nor is it kept so strictly for the Kings own use, but that it is ve∣ry often to be had among any peo∣ple of Fashion: For the King's Hunts∣men have great priviledges in this case: and most of the Nobility and Gentry having their Game in the Country, can communicate enough of all sorts to their ••riends. Rabbits the Danes have, but they do not care for them, they not being so good as in En∣gland; but Hares are plenty, and the Author says good, p. 92. As likewise their Bacon excellent. As to their Fish I

have spoke before. Their Butter is very good, and they have Melons, Grapes, Peaches, and all sorts of Sallads in great perfection. However in general, their way of Cookery would hardly be pleasing to an Englishman, p92, 93. The ••anes generally roast and boil their Meat more than the English. If you call their's over-roasted, they would say yours was raw; but this might easily be adjusted: Their Broaths and Soops are extraordinary, I fancy, together with them, a man might contrive a Good Dinner, and a Desert out of what has been menti∣oned.

To Consumate the Entertainment, The Liquors are Rhenish-wine, Cherry-Brandy, and all sorts of French Wine, p. 93. The Fair Sex do not refuse them; in such a quantity as is agreable to their health, and becoming their Sex and Modesty. The men are fond of them, p. 93. more addicted to drinking per∣haps than is necessary: But for these Twenty years last past that Humor has declined, and does in some mea∣sure continue to do so daily.

There are some few other Customs of the Danish Nation, which He re∣presents after his fashion, and so con∣cludes.

Their Marriages are usually preceeded by Contracts, p 94. and there is some Inter∣val between that and the Wedding, according to the conditions of the Persons: What he says concerning three, four, or more years, before they pro∣ceed to a Publick Wedding by the Minister, p. 94. is to introduce his following Scandal upon the young People: That often the young Couple grow better ac∣quainted, before such formalities are dis∣patched. There are no such long Intervals, or very seldom at least: Besides there is such a strictness in Danmark, about marrying, that no Minister dare mar∣ry any that is not of his own Parish, which prevents several Inconvenien∣ces: And there can be no greater shame than it is in Danmark for a New married Woman to be brought to bed before her time.

If we will believe him the Gentry give Portions with their Daughters, p. 94. I must confess, I had rather believe the

Danes themselves, who assure me that no body in Danmark, gives any por∣tion in Money with his Daughter, ex∣cept the Wedding Dinner, Cloaths, and Houshold-Stuff. But in requital for this the Daughters have a share of the Estate, when their Parents die. For it is to be remarkt that every Brother hath an equal share of the Patrimony, the youngest as well as the eldest, and each Sister has half as much as any Brother. When a Parent would dispose of his Estate otherwise by Will, it must (as has been said before) be signed by the King in his Life time, which, in truth is no other, than that he must have a new Law to disinherit any of his Children.

Sumptuous Burials and Monuments, (he says) are much in request with the Nobility, p. 94. The King has some years since by a particular Law, retrenched much of the former Luxury and Mag∣nificence of the great Peoples Burials; so that they now are moderate, and yet very proper and decent. The common People are mean spirited, p. 94. yet in the foregoing page, they were

proud and vain; which two sorts of qualities seldom meet together. If they have any fault it is a quite con∣trary one, which is that of being too much inclined to sight upon the least word, and too slight provocations: Besides, they must always be acknow∣ledged to be desirous, rather to con∣fer than receive obligations, which a mean Spirit never does. The Swedes, who are as brave a Nation, as any in the world, have sufficiently try'd their courage: and in all their Engagements, that they have had in the present King and Queens of England's Service, they have behav'd themselves like men. The defence, which the common People made for their Country, and Amack in particular, deserves not only to be encouraged with Privileges, but to have so excellent a Poem, as that of Amagria vindicata, written by Borri∣chius, to continue the memory of their valour down to posterity.

What Tradesmen he may have met with, it is impossible to know; and what notion he may have of being cheated: But whereas he says, p. 95.

the common people are inclin'd to gross Cheating; they have the general reputation with other men of being fair Dealers. First, An Old supersti∣tious woman would not sell him any Green Geese. This silly story (as he relates it, p. 95, 96.) gives him a more lively Idea of the temper of the common peo∣ple, than any description he could make; and in mine it raises a much brighter Image of the Author: Especially when he proceeds to tell me, that in their Markets they will ask the same Price for stinking meat as for fresh; for lean as for fat, if it be of a Kind, p, 97. We'll suppose the Butchers so mad as to do so: But how came he to know this cu∣riosity? did he cheapen lean meat, and stinking meat? Some frugal peo∣ple go towards the latter end of a Market to buy the refuse cheap, per∣haps our Author did so too, and makes his Complaint in Print, because he was disappointed of a penny worth.

Where he lays it down, as a sure way not to obtain, to seem to value, and to ask importunately, p, 90. It is that way which I would advise no man to fol∣low,

for certainly the Danes are not such Fools as to keep their Wares, when they find the Buyer so forward as to overvalue them.

No Lodgings in Copenhagen for stran∣gers. In Taverns one must be content to Eat and Drink in a publick Room, p. 97. It is so in all Germany; but in Copenha∣gen persons may have Tables or Rooms to themselves when bespoke, and no stranger need, or does want conve∣nient Lodgings, both in publick and private houses.

Their Seasons of Jollity are very scarce, p. 97. Persons of Fashion have their Diversions at seasonable Times, as Mu∣sick, Comedies, Retreats into the Coun∣try in Summer, as well as their Sleds in the Winter. Whereas he says, they content themselves with running at the Goose on Shrove tuesday, p. 97. One would think that Men of Quality ran at this Goose, but it is only a pastime of his beloved Boors of Amack, and performed by them: only sometimes, because of the odd frolicks of these Peasants, persons of better Character condescend to be their Spectators.

Perhaps it may be thought too nice for him to remark, That no body pre∣sumes to go in a Sled till the King and Court has begun, that the King passes over a new Bridge the first; and that the Clocks of Copenhagen strike the hours after the Court Clock, p. 97. If these Remarks were but as True, as they are Nice, they would be admirable; but as soon as the Snow comes every one Presumes to use his Sled, the Di∣version of it indeed is become more fashionable, when the King and Court have done it one night through Co∣penhagen. As for new Bridges, some of them might drop down again with∣out any Passage over them, if no one were to go till the King had done it: In the mean time our Au••hor must provide Ferries for the Passengers; the Clocks of Copenhag••n must be the most complaisant in the world; otherwise if some traiterous Clocks should chance to go to fast, they might make an exception to a rule so universal. I like this Account our Author gives us of Precedency in such ridiculous matters most extreamly, because ha∣ving

been searching according to his advice among the Barbarians, I find something like it at the Savage Court of Monomotapa, where the Emperor having Dined, Commands a Trumpet to be sounded, to give notice to the rest of the Princes of the World, that they may go to Dinner.

The Language he says, is very un∣grateful, and like the Irish in its whi∣ning complaining tone, p. 98. He may be as free with the Irish as he pleases; But the Danes and Norsh speak more like the English in their accent than any other People, and therefore these two Nations most easily learn, to read, speak and understand one anothers Languages upon occasion. There is a great agreement between their Monosylla∣bles, (p. 98.) which being generally the particles, and strength, or sinews of a Language, show that the English has not only incorporated the old Saxon but the Danish likewise, to bring it to its present perfection. At Court High Dutch and French are much used, and also Italian: Though Conversa∣tion often passes in these, yet if any

should boast that he could not speak Da∣nish, p. 98. he would render himself ridi∣culous: and an Englishman might think him not worthy to eat Danish Bread: and indeed with reason, for among the living Tongues, there is none that for its abundance, the propriety of the Expression, the fitness and agree∣ableness to Poetry and Numbers, can pretend to surpass it.

I shall finish the Remarks upon this Chapter with a recapitulation of what the Author has delivered in it. Was ever any man so Planet-struck as this Writer, to pronounce a People the most miserable in one Page, and to sill the next with the Grandeur and Equipage (p. 83.) of the Gentry, the plen∣ty of their Tables (p. 92.) Their retreats for pleasure in fruitful and delightsom Gardens, (p. 92.) at the same time declaring that the Burghers, Servants, and even Peasants have change of Lining and are neat and cleanly (93.) What Country can boast of more than Plen∣ty and Neatness?

He begins with telling us, that in former times when the Nobility and Gen∣try

were the same thing (p. 76.) That is, during the times that the Nobles had an excess of Power (p. 76.) in their hands, they liv'd in great Affluence and Prosperity, ibid. which he takes much pains to describe, and every body will easily be induced to believe. Then the Commons were willing in a great measure to be directed by them. (ibid.) that is, because they depended on them (ibid.) were forced like Slaves (p. 52.) to truckle to them whither they would or no. But in process of time the Li∣berties of the whole Country were lost, p. 76. By which alteration the Nobles were reduced to some bounds, and the Commons delivered from a Ty∣rannical Aristocracy, p. 73. This change forsooth creates in them all a kind of laziness and idle d••spondency, setting them beyond hopes and fears; insomuch that even the Nobility are now desirous (p. 78.) to procure Employments Civil, (Strange!) and Military (Wonderful!) Civil, I suppose, without hopes, and Mi∣litary without fears.

Under these Circumstances 'tis easi∣ly imagin'd the present condition of such

a People in all ranks is most deplorable, (p. 75.) Their Nobility and Gentry sunk very low, and diminishing daily both in number and credit, (p. 76.) they are forced to live meanly and obscurely in some corner of their ruinous Palaces; and patiently endure their Poverty at home; their Spirits (for there was not so much as a Song or Tune made in three years, p. 96.) as well as Estates, grown so mean, that you would scarce believe 'em to be Gentlemen by their Discourse and Garb.

The truth of all which foregoing Assertions, is seen in nothing more plainly than in what he fully delivers to us, concerning the extravagant expences which the Danes are at in Coaches, Retinue, ••loaths, &c. p. 83. They ride abroad, it seems, poor Gen∣tlemen! in their Coaches with great E••••ipage, to show how patiently they endure their Poverty in some obscure corner of their ruinous Palaces. They go so very sine in their Dress, after the French Mode, (p. 93.) and are so pro∣digal in their Cloaths, p. 83. that, you would scarce believe 'em to be Gentle∣men

by their Garb. Their Tables are so well furnished with Dishes, p. 92. and their Gardens afford them Fruit in so great perfection, that they are forced to seek Employments•• that they may eat a piece of bread, p 81. p. 79. But if they have a mind to carouse, or be excessive in their Drinking, they have Rhenish, and French Wines, p. 93. to do it with; and upon a merry bout, even a Boor can drop a Rix∣dollar, for a chirupping dose of Brandy, p. 84. And though he has neither Plate nor Silver Spoon in his Cottage. (p. 88.) yet can be as merry as a Prince, and has clean Linnen, (p. 93. poor Slave, p. 86. and a good F••ather-bed, (p. 88.) poor Negro! p. 86. to go home and lye down on.

To conclude, When any of the Gentry dye, they leave such Estates behind them, as that their Children think themselves oblig'd to make Cost∣ly Burials, and raise Sumptuous Mo∣numents, p. 94 to their Memory.

Such is their Misery when Living, such their Ignominy when Dead.