BOOKS.

SCOTT'S DANES AND SWEDES.* THE publication of this volume is in some degree a mistake. Mr. Laing told us about the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein at the time when their war with Denmark gave to his information and reflections something of the character of news and leading articles. To the account of Denmark, in the same volume, he brought the experience which his sojourn in Norway had given him_ of the Scan- dinavian modes of life and of thought, as well as a pen exercised in literature, though not without prejudices or a tendency to sub- stitute discussion for observation. The same writer has also pre- sented the world with a general view of Sweden, which excited no little attention on its first appearance. Other travellers less in- timately acquainted with the Northmen, and less capable of ex- amining the social and economical condition of a country thaii Mr. Laing, have partially followed in his footsteps ; making up by sketches of what they saw for the absence of deeper inquiries. Hence,, neither Hamburg, Denmark, nor Sweden, has the novelty of subject that characterized Mr. Scott's travels in Russia. Neither is there the same interest in the topics. It is true that, notwith- - standing the prospects of peace, the real state of opinion in Sweden and its means of resisting Russia, or it may be assisting to attack her, are questions of interest. Mr. Scott, however, can throw but little light on that matter; because it is six years since he per- formed his tour. In fact, this volume is the preliminary part of his Travels through Russia, omitted when he published that work, as not sufficiently important for publication. Traces of this afterthought are too visible in the book. Instead of observation upon life and nature'' or pertinent remarks directly suggested by the things observed, Mr. Scott gives the reader too much of a guidebook kind of history, touching upon the annals of every remarkable place he comes to, without fulness enough to inform, yet with quite enough to interrupt. He also makes too much of museums and similar collections, and further ekes out with matter from French publications. The information to be gathered from the statistics is not the least valuable part of the volume, but it might have been obtained without travelling for it. The conclusions Mr. Scott draws from his Danish journey are favourable to the Danes as regards their social and moral charac- ter'and theeircumstances.of the country. He, however, travelled in the early summer, when a cultivated land freely intersected by arms of an inland sea like the Baltic can hardly be other than delightful.' Had he travelled in the winter, his opinions might have been different. He speaks well of their material progress from observation, which later statistics confirm.

" Every farmer in the country has one or more cows, while many have large numbers ; so that cattle-breeding is conducted on an extensive scale. The Schleswig-Holstein graziers formerly purchased the lean cattle of the Danish farmers, and fattened them for exportation on the rich pasture-lands of the Duchies. The civil war put a stop to this trade, which the English graziers. then took up ; and a regular line of steamers was established from the Western ports of Jutland direct to England. The cattle sent by that route alone in 1851 amounted to 17,456 oxen, besides 7870 sheep and pigs. The general exportation of horses, cattle' sheep, and pigs, from Denmark and the Duchies, in 1847 reached 105,500head, while in 1852 it amounted to 152,300 head ; an increase of nearly fifty per cent in five years. "The civil war not only opened a direct route from Jutland to England, but led the Danish farmers to turn their attention more closely to the sub- ject of cattle-feeding, which has resulted in a total revolution of their sys- tem. Instead of selling the oxen lean, as formerly, they now resort to a more profitable plan by fattening them upon bruised corn and taking them to market in good condition. The breed of horses is excellent, and their ex- portation constitutes another source of profit to the nation. " From the above statistical remarks it is evident that Denmark is in a flourishing state, that her prosperity is progressive, and that the condition of every class of the people must consequently be ameliorated. The aboli- tion of the Corn-laws, and other Free-trade measures of England, have prin- cipally contributed to this state of things. It is only when travelling through the agricultural countries of Europe that one fully comprehends the mighty bearings of those legislative acts, which, while they benefit our home population, carry wealth and happiness to millions, spur mankind on to fresh exertions, give impetus to industrial pursuits, and promote civiliza- tion throughout the world. To show the extensive mercantile relations ex- isting between England and Denmark, the simple fact may be stated, that while-only eighty ships annually enter French from Danish ports, no less than four thousand vessels carry cargoes yearly from Denmark to England.

" These commercial ties unite nations more closely than any treaties ; and, 'whatever turn the affairs of Europe may take, the interests of Den- mark being so intimately bound up with those of England, it is clear that the would display the most suicidal policy by opposing herself to the latter country; while it is questionable whether any Danish Government could have the temerity to adopt such a course, for the sentiments of the people are in direct antagonism to a union with despotism. Not long free them- selves from chains, all their sympathies are for rational liberty ; and if their country be governed by an enlightened policy, small as it is territorially, it will yet rise to hold a conspicuous rank among civilized nations."

The most practical historical and statistical portion of the book is that which relates to the Sound Dues ; from its bearing on a question of immediate moment. It appears that from the period when the Baltic trade rose into importance these dues were a sub- ject of complaint. The Flemings under the Emperor Charles the Fifth objected to the burden ; and the result was a treaty, in 1544, between Charles and Christian III. ; in which, however, the status quo was stipulated for—what had been paid was to be continued. Since that time they have been frequently complained of ; but as regards Europe they were sanctioned by the treaty of Vienna, and if strict obligation always prevailed in this world, • TheDanesand Swedes; being an Account of a Visit to Denmark, and a Journey across the Peninsula of Sweden. By Charles Henry Scott, Author of " The Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Crimea." Published by Longman,. the five Great Powers of Europe are probably bound to uphold them. The right as against America seems to be that on which almost everything rests—prescription. It is only by prescription that America possesses the soil of the States ; and no existing go- vernment, so far as we know, has any other claim to existence, for primarily they have all been founded by force or fraud. Com- pared with some other countries, the actual interest of America appears so small that the present objection to the Sound Dues looks like some attempt at creating " political capital." The fol- lowing list gives the respective number of ships passing in 1853, belonging to England, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden ; Sweden really having a bond fide argument against the dues, as one of the coasts belongs to her.

English vessels

4685 Prussian „

3463 Russian „

1237 Swedish „ 1978

Norwegian „ 3391

5369

American

99

The importance of these dues to Denmark is considerable. In 1853 they amounted to 380,0001.—they had been only 32,0001. in 1756. The year 1853, however, was rather exceptional in point of numbers : the expectation of war stimulated the trade, as the actual war caused a great reduction in 1854. A glance will show the advantage of her neutrality to Prussia, though Sweden has naturally profited the most. Except Russia, France has been pro- portionally the greatest sufferer, doubtless in wines and brandy ; in

In 1853. In 1854.

English vessels 4685 .... 2032 Prussian 3463 3095 Norwegian 3391 .... 3328 Swedish 1978 .... 2583 Danish 2071 ....

1898 Russian French 1237 ....

349 .... 166 81 American 99 .... 36

The meeting of diplomatists at Paris stops speculation touching territorial changes, unless the war should be continued upon a broader plan. /dr. Scott has one suggestion—it is to make the King of Sweden heir to the throne of Denmark, instead of the Russian nominee. By this means a powerful kingdom would be raised up in the North, more capable of opposing the ambitious designs of Russia. The information respecting the naval and military power of Sweden is either secondhand statis- tics, or is confined to the obseriatien of reviews some six years ago. There are some useful sketches of the legislative bodies; which consist, as we all knew, of the four Estates of Nobles, Clergy, Burghers, and Peasants. The Nobles retain the Norman contempt of trade.

"There are in Sweden about to thousand four hundred noble families, consisting of eleven thousand persons of both sexes—or one in every three hundred and sixteen of the whole population—possessing landed property, estimated at seventy-one millions of rixdollars (5,916,6661.)—an average,of less than thirty thousand dollars, or 25001., for each family. It will there- fore be understood that many of the Swedish nobles are not only ill off, .but are extremely poor ; yet so great is their pride, so absurd are their notions as to what may compromise their personal dignity, or so ignorant are they of the present opinions of the world on this point, that, as a class, they re- pudiate all commercial or industrial pursuits, wrapping themselves up closely in a mantle of prejudice and permitting their families to remain in a state of penury rather than make an effort to relieve them by means which their false ideas proclaim to be derogatory. In this respect the Swedish forms a perfect contrast to the Russian noble : go where you will in Russia, you find manufactories belonging to princes, counts, or barons—many of the largest concerns in the country .being carried on by individuals as much esteemed for their great intelligence as for their exalted rank."

In another trait of the Normans they resemble another branch of the stirps nearer home.

" Whether the present state of prosperity in Sweden, and the revolution which the system of railways now in progress cannot fail when completed to produce, will be attended with a beneficial change in the ideas of the poorer nobility, remains to be seen ; in the mean time, every office in the state, about the court, and in the army, is eagerly sought for by the aris- tocracy ; while appointments that require any deep knowledge of the sciences, or demand profound study, are generally left to those of more plebeian birth. Taking the military, for example, it is said that, among the aides-de-camp and officers of ordonnance to the King, the aides-de-camp general, the offi- cers of the staff, and the officers of the guard, there exists a proportion be- tween the nobles and non-nobles of a hundred and sixty-seven to twenty ; while in the learned corps, such as the artillery and engineers, the propor- tion is inverse. This smgular fact, however, must not be diken as indi- cating want of capacity in the higher ranks, but as arising from the same adherence to the traditions of a caste which prevents their following so many other pursuits."

The Estates of Sweden, when originated, no doubt represented. the wants and were adapted to the condition of the country. Such is scarcely the case now, and Mr. Scott seems to anticipate future difficulties from the state of the representation ; upwards of a million of persons being excluded.

" The population of Sweden amounts to nearly three millions five hun- dred thousand ; and as the numbers belonging to the four orders reach about two millions three hundred and fifty thousand only, there still remain up- wards of eleven hundred thousand persons without any representation what- ever in the national legislature. These partly consist of the labouring population, but they include also a very numerous body, possessing consi- derable landed and personal property, who are perhaps the most intelligent and independent class in the kingdom. Amongst them are members of the learned professions, large landed proprietors, high officials, artists, literary and scientific men, and many individuals who have amassed fortunes by their talents and industry. " Such an exclusion is as unjust as it is impolitic : but although the in- justice is recognized, although the King has exercised his influence to re-

actual numbers England is the worst off.

medy it, and although the cause has been advocated by the ablest journal- ists, every effort to obtain so necessary a reform has hitherto failed through the opposition of the Diet, which alone has power to make the change. As a whole, this parliamentary body could scarcely object to the introduction of such valuable elements into the national councils ; but the difficulty lies in the jealousy or selfishness of each branch, which suckles for its exclusive prerogatives, and upon those grounds.refuses to admit even individuals who would throw the lustre of genius over their commonplace assemblies."