An account of Sueden together with an extract of the history of that kingdom.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Vniversities of Sueden.

LEARNING, whatever their Modern Writers pre∣tend, can plead no great Antiqui∣ty in this Countrey; the Insti∣tution of an University at Up∣sall being not above Three hun∣dred years ago; and few Mo∣numents extant of a more An∣cient Date, but only Funeral Inscriptions, rudely cut upon Rocks and unhew'n Stones, which are every where found; but as they have no Date, so they seldom express more than the Names of Persons, of whom no other Memory remains; that which makes them most remark∣able

is, That they are writ in the Ancient Gothic Language, and the Runick Character.

The most Curious Piece of Learning among them, is a Translation of the Evangelists into the Gothic Tongue, done a∣bout Twelve or Thirteen hun∣dred Years ago, by Ulphila, a Bishop of the Goths in Thracia, of which they have the sole Ancient Manuscript Copy that is known to be in the world. Since the Reformation, Gustavus Adolphus was the first great Pa∣tron Learning had in this Coun∣trey, by whom the Universities that had been much impair'd, were endow'd with tolerable Sa∣laries for Professors in most Sci∣ences. These his Daughter Queen Christina somewhat augmented, and by the Fame of her own

Learning, and the favourable Reception she gave to Scholars, drew several Learned men from abroad, that have left good Proofs of their Abilities, and raised an Emulation in the Natives, whose best Performance is in the Hi∣story, Antiquities, and Ancient Laws of the Countrey.

The University of Upsall con∣sists of a Chancellor, who is al∣ways a great Minister of State; a Vice-Chancellor, always the Archbishop; a Rector, chosen out of the Professors, of whom there are about Twenty that have each 150 l. a Year Salary. The ordinary Number of Stu∣dents is above Seven or Eight hundred; Fifty of which are maintain'd by the King, and some few others were former∣ly

by Persons of Quality; the rest, that cannot subsist of them∣selves, spend the Vacation in gathering the Charity of the Diocess they belong to, which is commonly given them in Corn, Butter, dry'd Fish or Flesh, &c. upon which they sub∣sist at the University the rest of the Year. They live not Col∣legiately, but in Private Houses; nor wear Gowns, nor observe other Discipline, than what their own Necessity or Disposition leads them to.

The other University of Abo, in Finland, is constituted in the same manner, but less nume∣rous in Professors and Students.

There was a Third at Lunden in Schonen, which, having been interrupted by the late Wars, is thought fit to be disconti∣nued,

because its Neighbourhood to Denmark nourish'd in the Stu∣dents an Affection for that Crown, to which that Province formerly appertain'd; yet it is again restor'd.

In each Diocess there is one Free School, where Boys are fit∣ted for the University; and o∣ther trivial Schools, to which Children are sent to learn to Read, Write, and Sing their Prayers; a Custom so universal, that very few of them want this degree of Education; and fur∣ther than that, such as are not design'd for Studies, do very seldom go, nor waste their time in other needless Improve∣ments.

Publick Provisions for the Poor, are very few; there's not above Five or Six Hospi∣tals

in the Kingdom, and a little Alms-house in each Pa∣rish, maintain'd by the Chari∣ty of the Inhabitants; to which for the most part they are very well disposed, according to their Abilities.