Situation for Trade is one of the best in the World because of the excellency of its Port so that without doubt were Copenhagen a free City it would be the Mart and Staple of all the Traffick of the Baltick This Port is inclosed by the Bulwarks of the Town the entrance into it being so narrow that but one Ship can pass at a time which entrance is every Night shut up with a strong Boom the Citadel on one side and a good Block-house well furnished with Cannon on the other Commands the Mouth of it Within this Haven rides the Navy Royal every Ship having his place assigned to it a wooden Gallery ranges round the whole Inclosure where the Fleet lies laid over the Water in such manner that all the Ships may be viewed near at hand as easily and commodiously as if they lay on dry Land This Harbour is capacious enough to hold 500 Sail where neither Wind nor Enemies can do them the least mischief The Road without is very good and safe being fenced from the Sea by a large Sand Bank on the Points of which float always a couple of Buoys to direct all Ships that come in or go out Here are no Tides to fear But always a sufficient depth of Water Sometimes indeed according as the Winds blow in or out of the Baltick there sets a Current but 't is not frequent nor dangerous To conclude this Port may justly be reckoned in all respects one of the best in the whole World The Town is strong being situated in a flat Marish Soil not commanded by any height the Air is bad by reason of the stink of the Channels which are cut through it The Works of it are only of Earth and Sodds yet raised according to the Rules of Modern Fortification and in tollerable good Repair The Buildings both in this City and elsewhere are generally very mean being Cage-work and having the Intervals between the Timbers filled up with Brick 'T is observable that all the good Publick Buildings in it such as the Change Arsenal Round-Steeple c. were built by King Christian the Fourth the present King's Grandfather and a very brave though not a Fortunate Prince who did more with less Revenues than all the succeeding Princes the Monarchy being at that time neither Hereditary nor Absolute He used often to say That he knew the Purses of his Subjects would be always open for his and the Kingdoms just Occasions and that he had rather they were his Cash-keepers than a High-Treasurer who might abuse him Although the principal Decorations of this Town are owing to him yet he either forgot or delay'd the Building of a Palace for himself and his Successors and no Body has undertaken it since though certainly in no Kingdom is there greater occasion this King's House of Residence being for Situation Meanness and Inconvenience the worst in the World and as singular for badness as the Port is for goodness Several of the Noblemen as his High Excellency Guldenlieu the great Admiral Juel with others being infinitely better lodged than the whole Royal Family Yet to make amends for this his Majesty has near him an excellent Stable of Horses and handsome large Gardens with a good Garden-House called Rosenburg some distance from the Palace at the other end of the Town CHAP. III. Of the Sound THIS Passage or Streight called the Sound or Ore-sound which has so great a Reputation in these Northern Parts of the World lies between this Island of Zealand and the firm Land of Schonen On Denmark side where it is narrowest stands the Town of Elsinore and the strong Fortress of Cronenburg near which is a tollerable good Road for Ships On Sweden side is the Town of Helsinburg with a demolished Castle whereof only one old Tower remains sufficient to hold half a dozen great Guns to repay the Salutes of Men of War which pass through Betwixt these two do pass and repass all Vessels that Trade into the Baltick so that next that of Gibraltar one may justly reckon this Streight the most important and frequented of any in Europe The loss of Schonen though it was considerable in regard of the largeness and fruitfulness of the Province yet it was more so in respect to the Dominion of this great Passage for although the Danes by the Treaty of Peace have expresly retained their Title to it and receive Toll from all Ships that pass except Swedes yet they do not esteem the Security of that Title so firm as they would wish for being not Masters of the Land on both sides they may have the Right but not the Power to assert it upon occasion and seem only to enjoy it at present according to their good Behaviour their stronger Neighbour the Swede being able to make use of the first Opportunity given him to their Prejudice This Toll being very considerable and of late years occasioning many Disputes which are not yet determined I thought it might not be amiss to set down in this place what I have learnt of the Original and Nature of it after having made as strict Enquiry as was possible from the most ancient and most understanding Persons I could meet with The most rational Account then is That it was at first laid by the Consent of the Traders into the Baltick who were willing to allow a small matter for each Ship that passed towards the maintaining of Lights on certain places of that Coast for the better direction of Sailers in dark Nights Hereupon this Passage of the Sound became the most practised that other of the Great Belt being in a little time quite neglected as well because of the great Conveniency of those Lights to the Shipping that passed in and out of the East-Sea as because of an Agreement made that no Ships should pass the other way to the end that all might pay their shares it being unreasonable that such Ships should have the benefit of those Lights in dark or stormy Winter Nights who avoided paying towards the maintaining of those Fires by passing another way Besides if this manner of avoiding the Payment had been allowed the Revenue would have been so insignificant considering the small Sum which each Ship was to pay that the Lights could not have been maintained by it and the Danes were not willing to be at the Charge solely for the use and benefit of their own Trading Ships in regard they were Masters of so few as made it not worth their while the Lubeckers Dantzickers and Merchants of other Hans-Towns being the greatest Traders at that time in the Northern Parts of Europe by which they arrived to a great height of Power and Riches But there being no fixed Rule or Treaty whereby to be governed with regard to the different Bulk of the Ships belonging to so many several Nations the Danes began in process of time to grow Arbitrary and exacted more or less Sums according to the strength or weakness of those they
We send them abroad Children and bring them home great Boys and the returns they make for the Expences laid out by their Parents are suitable to their Age That of the Languages is the very best but the most common is an affected Foppishness or a filthy Disease for which they sometimes exchange their Religion Besides the Pageantry Luxury and Licentiousness of the more Arbitrary Courts have bribed them into an Opinion of that very Form of Government Like Ideots who part with their Bread for a glittering piece of Tinsel they prefer gilded Slavery to coarse domestick Liberty and exclaim against their old fashion'd Country-men who will not reform their Constitution according to the new foreign Mode But the Travelling recommended here is that of Men who set out so well stock'd with the Knowledge of their own Country as to be able to compare it with others whereby they may both supply it where they find it wanting and set a true value on 't where it excels with this help such Travellers could not fail of becoming serviceable to the Publick in contributing daily towards the bettering of our Constitution though without doubt it be already one of the best in the World For it were as fond to imagine we need not go abroad and learn of others because we have perhaps better Laws and Customs already then Forreigners as it were not to Trade abroad because we dwell in one of the plentifullest Parts of the World But as our Merchants bring every day from barren Countries many useful things which our own good one does not produce so if the same care were taken to supply us with exact Accounts of the Constitutions Manners and Condition of other Nations we might without doubt find out many things for our purpose which now our meer Ignorance keeps us from being sensible that we want The Athenians Spartans and Romans did not think themselves too wise to follow this Method they were at great Expence to procure the Laws of other Nations thereby to improve their own and we know they throve by it since few Governments are so ill constituted as not to have some good Customs We find admirable Regulations in Denmark and we read of others among the Savage Americans fit to serve for Models to the most civilized Europeans But although the Constitution of our Government were too perfect already to receive any Improvement yet the best Methods conducing to the peaceable Conservation of its present Form are well worth every English Man's enquiry neither are these so easily to be found in this Age which were judged so difficult if not altogether impracticable by the greatest of Politicians in his time 'T is true the Wisdom of our Ancestors or their good Fortune has hitherto made these our Kingdoms an Exception to his general Maxim yet we all know how many grievous Tempests which as often threatned Shipwrack this Vessel of our Commonwealth has undergone The perpetual Contests between the Kings and the People whilst those endeavour'd to acquire a greater Power than was legally due and these to preserve or recover their just Liberties have been the contending Billows that have kept it afloat so that all we pretended to by the late Revolution bought with so great Expence yet not too dearly paid for was to be as we were and that every one should have his own again the effecting of which may be called a piece of good Luck and that 's the best can be said of it But must frequent Blood-lettings be indispensibly necessary to preserve our Constitution Is it not possible for us to render vain and untrue that Sarcasm of Forreigners who object to us that our English Kings have either too little Power or too much and that therefore we must expect no settled or lasting Peace Shall we for ever retain the ill Character they give us of the most mutable and inconstant Nation of the World Which however we do not deserve no more than England does that of Regnum Diabolorum so common in unconsidering Forreigners Mouths Methinks a Method to preserve our Commonwealth in its legal State of Freedom without the necessity of a Civil War once or twice every Age were a benefit worth searching for though we went to the furthest Corners of the World in quest of it Besides the Knowledge of the present State of our Neighbour Nations which is best acquired by Travel is more incumbent on the Gentlemen of England than any others since they make so considerable a part of our Government in Parliament where foreign Business comes frequently under Consideration and at present more then ever 'T is none of the smallest Advantages which his Majesty has procured us by his accession to the Crown that we make a greater Figure in the World than formerly we have more foreign Alliances are become the Head of more than a Protestant League and have a right to intermeddle in the Affairs of Europe beyond what we ever pretended to in any of the preceding Reigns For 't is a true though but a Melancholy Reflexion that our late Kings half undid us and bred us up as narrow spirited as they could made us consider our selves as proscribed from the World in every sence toto divisos orbe Britannos And indeed they had withdrawn us from the World so long till the World had almost overlooked us we seldom were permitted to cast an Eye farther than France or Holland and then too we were carefully watched But at present Matters are otherwise we have a Prince that has raised us to our natural Station the Eyes of most part of the World are now upon us and take their Measures from our Councils We find every day occasion to inform our selves of the Strength and Interests of the several Princes of Europe And perhaps one great reason why we live up no better to the mighty Post we are advanced to nor maintain our Character in it with great Reputation is because our Education has been below it and we have been too much lock'd up at home when we should have been acquainting our selves with the Affairs of the World abroad We have lately bought the Experience of this Truth too dear not to be now sensible of it 'T is not very long ago since nothing was more generally believed even by Men of the best Sence then that the Power of England was so unquestionably establish'd at Sea that no Force could possibly shake it that the English Valour and Manner of Fighting was so far beyond all others that nothing was more desirable than a French War Should any one have been so regardless of his Reputation as at that time to have represented the French an overmatch for the united Forces of England and Holland or have said that we should live to see our selves insulted on our own Coasts and our Trade indanger'd by them that we should be in Apprehensions every Year of an Invasion and a French Conquest such a venturesome Man must have expected
was that their Philosophers were deservedly look'd upon as Supports of the State they had their dependance wholly upon it and as they could have no Interest distinct from it they laid out themselves towards the advancing and promoting the good of it insomuch that we find the very good Fortune of their Commonwealths often lasted no longer than they did The managers of our modern Education have not been quite so publick Spirited for it has been as I have shewn for the most part in the hands of Men who have a distinct Interest from the publick therefore 't is not to be wondred at if like the rest of the World they have been byassed by it and directed their principal Designs towards the advancing their own Fortunes Good Learning as well as Travel is a great Antidote against the Plague of Tyranny The Books that are left us of the Ancients from whence as from Fountains we draw all that we are now Masters of are full of Doctrines Sentences and Examples exhorting to the Conservation or Recovery of the publick Liberty which was once valued above Life The Hero's there celebrated are for the most part such as had destroyed or expelled Tyrants and though Brutus be generally de claimed against by modern School-boys he was then esteemed the true Pattern and Model of exact Vertue Such was Cato of Utica with others of like stamp The more any person is conversant with good Books the more shall he find the practices of these Great Men in this particular founded upon Reason Justice and Truth and unanimously approv'd of by most of the succeeding Wise-men which the World has produc'd But instead of Books which inform the Judgment those are commonly read in the Schools abroad wherein an Elegancy of Latin and Greek Style is more sought after than the matter contained in them So that such as treat a little boldly of publick Liberty occur to the reading of few and those grown Men rather through Chance or their Curiosity than the recommendation of their Instructors 'T was not to learn Forreign Languages that the Graecian and Roman Youths went for so long together to the Academies and Lectures of their Philosophers 'T was not then as now with us when the Character of a Scholar is to be Skilled in Words when one who is well versed in the dark Terms and Subtilties of the Schools passes for a profound Philosopher by which we seem so far to have perverted the Notion of Learning that a Man may be reputed a most extraordinary Scholar and at the same time be the most useless Thing in the World much less was it to learn their own Mother Tongues the Greek and Latin which we hunt after so eagerly for many Years together not as being the Vehicles of good Sence but as if they had some intrinsick Virtue 'T was to learn how and when to speak pertinently how to act like a Man to subdue the Passions to be publick Spirited to despise Death Torments and Reproach Riches and the Smiles of Princes as well as their Frowns if they stood between them and their Duty This manner of Education produced Men of another stamp than appears now upon the Theatre of the World such as we are scarce worthy to mention and must never hope to imitate till the like manner of Institution grows again into Reputation which in Enslaved Countries 'tis never likely to do as long as the Ecclesiasticks who have an opposite Interest keep not only the Education of Youth but the Consciences of old Men in their Hands To serve by-ends and because Priests thought they should find their own account in it they calculated those unintelligible Doctrines of Passive Obedience and Jus Divinum that the People ought to pay an absolute Obedience to a limited Government fall down and worship the work of their own Hands as if it dropt from Heaven together with other as profitable Doctrines which no doubt many are by this time ashamed of tho' they think it below them to condescend so far as to confess themselves to have been in the wrong For this Notion of Jus Divinum of Kings and Princes was never known in these Northern Parts of the World till these latter Ages of Slavery Even in the Eastern Countries though they adore their Kings as Gods yet they never fancied they received their Right to Reign immediately from Heaven The single Example in Scripture so much insisted on viz. the Reign of Saul over the Jews and Samuel's Description of what a King would be not what he lawfully might be proves either nothing at all or the contrary to what some would have it for besides that there are many Relations of Fact in the Old Testament not condemned there which it would not be only inconvenient but sinful for us to imitate Whoever peruses the whole Story of Saul and his Successor will therein find more substantial Arguments against the Jus Divinum and Non-Resistance than for it But we shall leave this both as being too large an Argument for the compass of a Preface and as being already fully handled by more able Pens All Europe was in a manner a free Country till very lately insomuch that the Europaeans were and still are distinguish'd in the Eastern Parts of the World by the name of Franks In the beginning small Territories or Congregations of People chose valiant and wise Men to be their Captains or Judges and as often Deposed them upon Mis-management These Captains doing their Duty well and faithfully were the Originals of all our Kings and Princes which at first and for a long time were every where Elective According to their own Warlike Temper or that of the People which they govern'd they upon the Score of Revenge Ambition or being overthronged with Multitudes at home encroached upon their Neighbours till from petty Principalities their Countries waxed to mighty Kingdoms Spain alone consisting of twelve or thirteen till t'other day and one part of our Island of no less than seven Each of these was at first made through an Union of many petty Lordships Italy from several small Commonwealths was at length swallowed up by the Emperors Popes Kings of Spain Dukes of Florence and other lesser Tyrants Yet 't is to be remark'd that the ancient State of Europe is best preserved in Italy even to this day notwithstanding the Encroachments which have been there made on the Peoples Liberties of which one Reason may be that the Republicks which are more in number and quality in that Spot of Ground than in all Europe besides keep their Ecclesiasticks within their due bounds and make use of that natural Wit which Providence and a happy Climate has given them to curb those who if they had Power would curb all the World Every one ought to know how great the Rights of the People were very lately in the Elective Kingdoms of Sweden and Denmark how Germany was freer than any other part of Europe till at length 't was Lorded by
Customs of the OreSound yielded per Ann. from 240000 Rix Dollars to 300000 R. D. But since 1645. they have not at any time render'd above 150000 R. D. nor ever so much except in time of War with the Swedes when all did pay without Exemption During the last War I remember it yielded but 143000 Rix Dollars but before that War and since the Swedish Ships freeing all Goods that are carried in them and the Swedish Goods in Forreign Ships being also free by Treaty it has not yielded above 80000 Rix Dollars per Annum and the last Year past it did not reach to full 70000 Rix Dollars The Court of Denmark is not to be blamed therefore for being wonderful jealous of any Infraction of this their pretended Sovereignty as People are most careful and suspicious in behalf of an Estate wherein their Title is weak it being so much the Interest not only of the English and Dutch but also of the Swede to have it set right both to encourage Trade to his own Country and to lessen the Revenue of his Neighbour neither can it be said that the English and Dutch did ever intirely yield the Point for though they agreed to pay a small Toll on Merchandize yet no manner of searching or stopping is to be allowed or has ever been The Danes are now obliged to take the Master of the Vessel 's word for the quality and quantity of the Lading and thought it prudence never to press this Point further least we should grow angry and make too narrow an Inspection both into their Original Right and into their Ability to maintain it For whilst we and the Dutch are content to pay this Toll all the other petty Princes and States do it without Murmur but if we once broke the Chain they would shake off their part of it likewise CHAP. IV. Of the other Islands and Jutland THE most considerable Islands next to that of Zealand are Funen or Fionia Laland Langland Falstria Mune Samsoe Arroe Bornholm and Amack there are besides many other small ones of less note Funen is second to Zealand whether its bigness or the goodness of its Soil be considered it has plenty of Corn Hogs Lakes and Woods the chief Town of it is Odensee a well-seated and formerly a flourishing little City but at present much fallen to decay This Island produces nothing for the Merchant to export except some few Horses the Inhabitants usually consuming their own Commodities This is a principal Government called a Stifts Ampt. The present Governour is Mr. Winterfelt Laland is a small but plentiful Island producing all sorts of Corn in abundance and particularly Wheat wherewith it supplies the City of Copenhagen and all other parts of Denmark where it is a rarity The Hollanders buy yearly and ship off great quantities of Corn from hence This likewise is a Stifts Ampt having several of the lesser Islands under its Jurisdiction The Governour of it is Mr. Geugh who formerly had a Publick Character and resided a long time in England Falstria Langland and Mune are fertile Islands the two first Export yearly some Corn. Arroe and Alsen abound in Annis-seeds which are much used to season their Meat and mix with their Bread Bornholm Samsoe with the other Islands nourish Cattle and afford Corn for the use of the Inhabitants But Amack deserves to be particularly remembred this little Island joyns close to the City of Copenhagen from which 't is only separated by a small Arm of the Sea which is passed over by a Draw-bridge and exceeds in fruitfulness any spot of Ground in Denmark This Land was given many Years ago to several Families of North Hollanders who were planted there to make Butter and Cheese for the Court the Descendants of whom retain to this day the Habit Language and Customs of their Predecessors together with their Cleanliness and Industry neither will they mix with the Danes but intermarry with each other They had formerly extraordinary Priviledges granted to them whereof some continue to this time but others are retrenched and by degrees it is to be feared they will be treated like the other Subjects This Island of Amaek through the Industry of these laborious People is as it were the Kitchen-Garden of Copenhagen and supplies its Markets plentifully with all sorts of Roots and Herbs besides Butter Milk great quantities of Corn and some Hay whatever it produces being the best in its kind that is to be found in the whole Kingdom Jutland part of the ancient Cimbrica Chersonesus is the biggest part of the Kingdom of Denmark and may amount to about two thirds of the whole It is divided into four Stifts Ampts or principal Governments The present Governours are the Count de Frize the upper Mareschal Speckhan Monsieur Edmund Schele now Envoy Extraordinary to his Majesty from the King of Denmark c. This is a plentiful Country abounding more especially in Cattle it wants good Sea-Ports towards the Ocean notwithstanding which the Hollanders transport yearly great quantities of lean Cows and Oxen from hence to their more fertile Soil where in a short time they grow so prodigiously fat through better feeding in the rich Grounds of Holland that a vast Profit is made by this Traffick The Horses and Swine of this Country are excellent and in great numbers It affords Corn in sufficient quantity for the use of its own People The Land is more Fertile near the Sea-Coasts the Inland being full of Heaths Lakes and Woods In short it is the best Country the King of Denmark is Master of and appears to be least declining because most remote from Copenhagen Procul à Jove Procul à Fulmine It being observed that in limited Monarchies and Commonwealths a Neighbourhood to the Seat of the Government is advantageous to the Subjects whilst the distant Provinces are less thriving and more liable to Oppression but in Arbitrary and Tyrannical Kingdoms the quite contrary happens CHAP. V. Of the rest of the King of Denmark's Countries THE Dutchy of Sleswick is in general a very good Country its convenient Situation between two Seas the Ocean and the Baltick rendring it considerable for Trade although the natural Commodities fit for Exportation are in no great quantity Some Corn Cattle Horses and Wood for Firing it affords to its Neighbours over and above a sufficient store of each for its own Inhabitants It is divided between the King and the Duke of Holstein The principal Town which gives Name to the Dutchy belongs to the Duke of Holstein who resides near it in his Palace of Gottorp one of the most delicious Seats that is to be seen in all the Northern Parts of Europe nothing can be more Pleasant and Romantick than the Situation of this Castle It stands in an Island surrounded by a large Lake made by the River Sley whose rising Banks are clothed with fine Woods the Waters clear and full of Fish carry Vessels of small Burden to and from the
of his Commons This was the Ancient Form of Government in this Kingdom which continued with very little variation excepting that the Power of the Nobles encreased too much till about Two and Thirty years ago when at one instant the whole Face of Affairs was changed So that the Kings have ever since been and at present are Absolute and Arbitrary not the least remnant of Liberty remaining to the Subject all Meetings of the Estates in Parliament intirely abolished nay the very Name of Estates and Liberty quite forgotten as if there never had been any such thing the very first and principal Article in the present Danish Law being That the King has the Priviledge reserved to himself to explain the Law nay to alter and change it as he shall find good It is easie for any considering Person to guess the Consequences of this which are frequent and arbitrary Taxes and commonly very excessive ones even in Times of Peace little regard being had to the Occasion of them So that the value of Estates in most parts of the Kingdom is fallen three Fourths And it is worse near the Capital City under the Eye and Hand of the Government than in remoter Provinces Poverty in the Gentry which necessarily causes extremity of Misery in the Peasants Partiality in the distribution of Justice when Favourites are concerned with many other Mischiefs which shall be hereafter more particularly mentioned being the constant Effects of Arbitrary Rule in this and all other Countries wherein it has prevailed And because it is astonishing to consider how a free and rich People for so they were formerly should be perswaded intirely to part with their Liberties I thought it very proper to give an account by what steps so great a Change and Revolution was brought about The Particulars of which I have received not only from Eye-witnesses but also from some of the principal Promoters and Actors in it CHAP. VII The Manner how the Kingdom of Denmark became Hereditary and Absolute AFTER the Conclusion of the Peace between the two Northern Crowns Anno 1660. some considerable care and time was necessary to redress the Disorders occasioned by so terrible a War Denmark had been most violently shaken and although the Fury of the Tempest was over the Agitation caused by it still continued The Army was not yet disbanded nor could be for want of Money to discharge its Arrears this caused frequent Insolencies in the Soldiers with a further Oppression of the Burgers and poor Country People who had been in a manner already ruined by the Miseries attending the War The Nobility though Lords and Masters were full of Discontents and the Clergy not in the condition they wished To redress all which Grievances and reduce Affairs into some Order by procuring Money for the Payment and Disbanding of the Army the King thought fit to appoint a Meeting of the Three Estates at Copenhagen viz the Nobility Commonalty and Clergy which accordingly followed about the beginning of October After some few days Session during which the Nobility according to their usual practice debated how the Sums of Money requisite might with greatest ease and conveniency be levied upon the Commons without the least intention of bearing any proportionable share themselves Several Disputes arose and many sharp Expressions passed between them and the Commons on the one hand the Nobility were for maintaining their ancient Prerogative of paying nothing by way of Tax but only by voluntary Contribution and shewed themselves too stiff at a time when the Country was exhausted and most of the remaining Riches lodged in their hands They seemed to make use of this Occasion not only to vindicate but even to widen and enlarge their Priviledges above the other two Estates by laying Impositions on them at pleasure which weight they themselves would not touch with one of their Fingers any further than as they thought fitting On the other hand the Clergyâ— for their late adherance to the interest of their Country and the Burgers for the vigorous Defence of their City thought they might justly pretend to new Merit and be considered at least as good Subjects in a State which they themselves had so valiantly defended They remembred the great Promises made them when dangerous Enterprises were to be taken in hand and how successfully they had executed them thereby saving from a Forreign Yoak not only the City of Copenhagen but the whole Kingdom the Royal Family nay those very Nobles that now dealt so hardly with them They judged it therefore reasonable that the Sums of Money necessary should be levied proportionably and that the Nobility who enjoyed all the Lands should at least pay their share of the Taxes since they had suffered less in the common Calamity as well as done less to prevent the progress of it This manner of arguing was very displeasing to the Nobles and begat much Heat and many bitter Replies on both sides At length a principal Senator called Otto Craeg stood up and in great Anger told the President of the City That the Commons neither understood nor considered the Priviledges of the Nobility who at all times had been exempted from Taxes nor the true Condition of themselves who were no other than Slaves the word in the Danish is unfree so that their best way was to keep within their own Bounds and acquiesce in such Measures as ancient Practice had warranted and which they were resolved to maintain This word Slaves put all the Burgers and Clergy in disorder causing a loud Murmur in the Hall which Nanson the President of the City of Copenhagen and Speaker of the House of Commons perceiving and finding a fit occasion of putting in practice a Design before concerted though but weakly between him and the Bishop in great Choler rose out of his Seat and swore an Oath That the Commons were no Slaves nor would from thenceforth be called so by the Nobility which they should soon prove to their cost And thereupon breaking up the Assembly in disorder and departing out of the Hall was followed by all the Clergy and Burgers the Nobles being left alone to consult among themselves at their leisure after a little while adjourned to a private House near the Court. In the mean time the Commons being provoked to the highest degree and resolving to put their Threats in Execution marched processionally by Couples a Clergy-man and a Commoner from the great Hall or Parliament-House to the Brewers-Hall which was the convenientest place they could pitch upon to sit apart from the Nobles the Bishop of Copenhagen and the President of the City leading them It was there thought necessary to consider speedily of the most effectual Means to suppress the intolerable Pride of the Nobility and how to mend their own Condition After many Debates they concluded That they should immediately wait upon the King and offer him their Votes and Assistance to be absolute Monarch of the Realm as also that the Crown should
vindicating the Honour of the Crown of England which was engaged as Guarrantee and securing the Peace of the North in order to the procuring the Assistance of one or both of those Princes towards the humbling the common Enemy This he effectually did for the Danes immediately afterwards sent by Treaty seven thousand Soldiers which are yet in his Majesty's Pay and the Swedes remain at liberty to continue such of their Troops in the Dutch Service as formerly were stipulated for and which had a War broken out they might have been forced to recall CHAP. XIV The Interests of Denmark in relation to other Princes IN treating of the Interests of the King of Denmark in relation to other Princes or States which do not confine upon his Dominions and of his Affections towards them it will not be necessary to observe strictly the order and rank which those Princes hold in the World I shall therefore take them as they come indifferently With the Emperor the King of Denmark is obliged to keep always a good outward Correspondence he being himself a Prince of the Empire as Duke of Holstein and the Emperour having it often in his Power to do him several Kindnesses or Dis-kindnesses The King has a great desire to establish a Toll at Glucstadt upon the River Elb and although the Emperour's consent would not absolutely secure the business for him there being many other Princes together with all those who are concerned in the Trade of Hamburg that would obstruct it yet it would strike a great stroke and must always be a necessary Preliminary He keeps therefore very fair with his Imperial Majesty and when pressed by the Ministers sends for valuable considerations some Troops to serve in Hungary against the Turks notwithstanding which he is inwardly troubled at the Power of the House of Austria and the Increase of its Dominions being jealous as most of the other German Princes are that the Greatness of that Family may one day turn to the detriment of the Liberty of Germany and therefore is not displeased at the Successes of the French or of the Turks He has been heard to complain of the neglect which the Imperial Court shows of him and its partiality for the Swedes this occasioned the Emperour's sending a Minister lately to Reside at Copenhagen as well as at Stockholm since which he seems to be better satisfied But at the bottom it is to be supposed that the Dane is no true Friend of the Emperour's because he thinks his Imperial Majesty favours some Interests opposite to his in conniving at the Lunenburgers forcible possession of the Dukedom of Saxe-Lawenburg and bestowing the Electoral Dignity on that Family the confirmation of which the King of Denmark opposes with all his Power With Poland the King of Denmark has at present little occasion either of Friendship or Enmity there being but small Correspondence between them yet he will rather chuse to keep that Crown his Friend than otherwise because it may one day stand him in stead against the Swedes And for this reason it is that the Elector of Brandenburg whose Interest in that particular is much the same with Denmark's maintains a good Correspondence and Entertains a constant Minister at Warsaw Besides the Port of Dantzick is convenient for all that Trade in the Baltick and the Danes bring Corn as well as other Merchandize from thence They keep likewise good Amity with the other Hans Towns The King is upon fair terms with the Duke of Courland who has permitted him to raise Men in his Countrey the Commander of which one Poteamer is Brother to that Duke's prime Minister and the Soldiers are the best able to live hardily and to endure Fatigue of any in the World It is the Interest of Denmark to be well with the Dutch above all other Princes in Europe because of the great Revenue it receives from their Traffick and the Toll which they pay in the Sound Because also in case of a quarrel with Sweden or any other extremity the King of Denmark is certain of the Assistance of the Hollanders which is always sufficient and ready to protect him as has been experienced in the former Wars between the Northern Crowns for the Dutch will never suffer the Balance of the North to lean too much to one side their Interest in the Trade of the Baltick being so considerable but will take care to assist the weaker with proportionable Succours which the conveniency of their Situation and their Naval Force permits them to do with greater ease than any other Notwithstanding all which Considerations there are frequent Occasions of Quarrel between the Dutch and Danes and the Friendship which the latter have for the former especially since this War with France and the Convention made with England for the Interruption of all Commerce with that Kingdom is very weak and unstable for besides that an Absolute Monarchy for other Reasons can never throughly love a Republick the Danes are envious at the great Trade of the Dutch and count it a Disparagement that Merchants as they call them should have it in their Power to give Law to a Crowned Head However at the bottom Denmark would not be pleased that Holland should sink under the Force of its Enemies but would use its best Endeavours to prevent it though possibly not before Matters were reduced to so great an Extremity as it might be beyond the Ability of the Danes to afford a timely Remedy The King of Denmark loves the Alliance of France and keeps a stricter Correspondence with that Crown than with any other though it be most certain that the Maxims which he has learnt from thence and the Practices which followed those Maxims have been the principal Occasion of that Kingdom 's present ill condition But the King of France by fair Words large Promises and a little Money seasonably bestowed has had the knack to amuse this Court and to make it act as he pleases notwithstanding the many Affronts the ill Successes and the universal Misery which through his means have attended it The Emissaries of France are thick sown here nothing pleases that is not according to the French Pattern either in Dress Military Discipline or Politicks and it is certain that a fitter could not be followed by any Arbitrary Prince provided a due regard were had to the force and strength to perform in proportion to the Design undertaken But the want of this Consideration has been fatal to Denmark France had told this King that Soldiers are the only true Riches of Princes and this has made him raise more than he knows what to do with unless he disturb his Neighbours which generally he does for the Interests of France though at last it turns to his loss So that Denmark resembles in this point a Monster that is all Head and no Body all Soldiers and no Subjects and whenever a General Peace comes to be established in Europe
with many things in it to be avoided and little deserving imitation but being now to speak of the Danish Laws I must needs begin with this good Character of them in general That for justice Brevity and perspicuity they exceed all that I know in the World They are grounded upon Equity and are all contained in one Quarto Volume written in the Language of the Country with so much plainness that no Man who can write and read is so ignorant but he may presently understand his own Case and plead it too if he pleases without the Assistance of Counsel or Attorney Here is none of that Chicane to be found which destroys and raises so many great Estates in England a very few Advocates do the business of all the Litigious Persons in these Kingdoms Neither are their Fees arbitrary or exorbitant no Suit of what importance soever hangs in suspence longer than one Year and a Month since a Man may go through all the Courts and have Execution done within that time unless he be wanting to himself It may be replied to this That the scarcity of Money may be the principal occasion of few Law-Suits and Lawyers It is not denied and perhaps a right sence of this was the first cause of so good a Regulation of Justice for since the King was resolved to empty the Pockets of his Subjects it was not for his advantage to permit others to do it and share the Gains with him However thus much may with certainty be averred That the like Regulation would not only agree with but consummate the happiness of a rich Country and this Instance of Denmark makes it evident that such a Regulation is practicable But to return to our purpose In Denmark in the ordinary Proceedings between Man and Man there are three Courts every one of which has power to give a definitive Sentence and must either Acquit or Condemn Yet there lies an Appeal from the lower to the higher and if the inferior Judge has wilfully varied from the positive Law the Party wronged has Damages given him both from the Judge and his Adversary Here is no removal of Actions from one Court to another where the Parties may begin all again but by way of ordinary procedure from the lower to the higher The three Courts are these first In Cities and Towns the Byfoghts Court to which in the Country does answer the Herredsfougds Court. Secondly From thence lyes an Appeal to the Landstag or general head Court for the Province Thirdly From thence to the Court called the Highright in Copenhagen where the King himself sometimes sits in Person and it is always composed of the prime Nobility of the Kingdom The Judges in the two former Courts are constituted indeed by the King's Letters Patents durante beneplacito but are punishable for any misdemeanors committed and condemned to make Reparation to the Party injured for any Injustice by them done The City of Copenhagen has this particular Privilege that the Sentences past in the Byfoghts Court instead of passing through the Provincial Court are tried by the Burgomaster and Common Council and so proceed to the highest Court which resembles so far our High Court of Chancery that if any matter happen so fall in debate for the decision of which there is not a positive Article to be found in the Law which rarely happens it is there determined by the King or by the others present who are as it were the Keepers of the King's Conscience and all this were very well were it not that the first Article of the Law reserves to the King the Privilege of explaining or altering it at his pleasure In Matters relating to the Revenue the Rent-Chamber in Denmark resembles our Court of Exchequer which has also a Paymaster General belonging to it and sometimes there is a Court composed of some Members of this Rent-Chamber the Admiralty and the Colledge of Commerce before which lyes the Appeals of Merchants whose Goodshappen to be seiz'd for not having paid the King's Duties The Sentences passed in the inferiour Courts are sometimes biassed and partial but not often for fear of the highest Court where great regard is had to Justice insomuch that I knew a Judge who very hardly escaped being fined for a Sentence passed against an English Merchant which Sentence was presently reversed Indeed whilst Monsieur Griffinfeldt and Monsieur Wibbe were Chancellors there were mutterings that the High Court Sentences were not altogether up to the rigour of the Law but this is very rare now unless when a Courtier or Favourite is interessed in such a Sentence in which case or in matters wherein the King is concerned you are to expect little Justice especially if it relate to Money The Salaries of the Judges are but small they are paid out of the Exchequer and do not consist in Fees The Byfogd may have about one hundred Rix Dollars yearly and he pays himself out of the Fines of Delinquents In the Country the Herredfogds have each of them the Rent that is due to the King for a Farm that stands rated at ten Tuns of Hard-corn he has besides from the Plaintiff and Defendant for the Sentence he passes ten Stivers from each And the Byfogd or Judge in Cities and Towns double as much Moreover the contesting Parties are bound to pay the Clerk so much a sheet for the Paper in which is set down at large the whole proceeding and the Allegations of each Party whether they be Verbal or by Libel and at the close of all the Sentence it self At the Byfogds Court and the Landstag the Judge inserts the Law and adds the Reasons upon which his Judgment is founded but in the High Right no Reason is given at all or but very seldom And that no Clerk may have it in his power to pick any Man's Pocket by filling up many Sheets of Paper there are Limits set beyond which no man is obliged to pay Every one may plead his own Cause that pleases however it is the King's Order that the Magistrates take care to have one or more Advocates such as they approve of who are to plead for the Poor and for such as cannot plead for themselves upon the whole matter the Charges of the Law are very easie since a complaint may go through the three Courts for fifty Rix Dollars which is less then twelve pound Sterling unless the Sum in question be very great and more than ordinary Evidences to be written on Sealed Paper These Laws are so equitable and expeditious that they are extreamly commended by Merchants and Strangers who have occasion to have recourse to them Neither is the smalness of the Expence any Encouragement to those that love going to Law for the Laws themselves provide effectually against this Mischief and take away the very Root of Litigiousness being so plain and clear that a troublesome Person never finds his Account in promoting vexatious Suits but meets with all the Disappoiutments one
and Taste of Learning from what the World has at present It seems as ridiculous to take Patterns for the gentile Learning of this Age from the old fashion'd Learning of the Times wherein the University Statutes were compiled as it would be for one who would appear well dress'd at Court to make his Cloaths after the Mode in Henry the VIII's day But 't is of infinitely worse consequence for the Prejudices and wrong Notions the stiffness and positiveness in Opinion the litigiousness and wrangling all which the old Philosophy breeds besides the narrow Spiritedness and not enduring of Contradiction which are generally contracted by a Monastick Life require a great deal of time to get rid of and until they be filed off by Conversation in the World abroad a Man's Learning does but render him more useless and unfit for Society I dare appeal to common Experience whether those excellent Men that of late Years have been preferred in our Church then which Set of Divines England scarce ever knew a better be not for the most part such as have been very conversant with the World and if they have not all travell'd out of this Kingdom have at least spent the best part of their days in this Epitom of the World the City of London where they have learnt Christian Liberty as well as other Christian Vertues The great difference between these and others of narrow Opiniastre Tempers caus'd by their Monk-like Education is discernable by every Body and puts it out of all doubt that such who have seen most of what Profession soever they be prove the most honest and virtuous Men and fittest for Humane Society these embrace better Notions relating to the Publick weigh Opinions before they adhere to them have a larger Stock of Charity a clearer Manner of distinguishing between Just and Unjust understand better the Laws of our own Land as well as the Priviledges and Frailties of Human Nature And all this in a degree far excelling the most zealous learned religious Person who has been brought up in his Cell and is therefore what we call a Bigot stiff in an Opinion meerly because he has been used to it and is ashamed to be thought capable of being deceived Lawyers whose manner of Breeding is much abroad in the World and who are used to promiscuous Conversation have been observed in most places to be great Favourers of Liberty because their knowledge of ancient Practice and the just Title which the People have to their Priviledges which they meet with every where in their course of Reading makes them less scrupulous of committing what some Divines miscal a Sin in those that endeavour to preserve or recover them the Oversights of some few Gentlemen of this honourable Profession are therefore the less excusable for I must confess among other things that Motto A Deo Rex à Rege Lex wherein the Divine Right of the impious Will of a Tyrant is as strongly asserted as could be in the compass of a Ring has occasioned frequent Reflections not much in favour of those that made use of it Thus I have touch'd upon the Manner of Education necessary to the beginning and finishing a Gentleman who is to be useful to his Country which I suppose ought to be the principal end of it And I can't but believe if in our Schools our Youth were bred up to understand the Meaning of the Authors they are made to read as well as the Syntax of the Words If there were as much care taken to inculcate the good Maxims and recommend the noble Characters the old Historians are so full of as there is to hammer into their Heads the true Grammar of them and the fineness of the Phrase If in our Universities a proportionable Care were taken to furnish them with noble and generous Learning If after this they were duly informed in the Laws and Affairs of their own Country trained up in good Conversation and useful Knowledge at home and then sent abroad when their Heads began to be well settled when the heat of Youth was worn off and their Judgments ripe enough to make Observation I say I cannot but believe that with this manner of Institution a very moderate Understanding might do wonders and the coming home fully instructed in the Constitutions of other Governments would make a Man but the more resolute to maintain his own For the advantage of a free Government above its contrary needs no other help to make it appear then only to be exposed to a considerate View with it The difference may be seen written in the very Faces of the several People as well as in their manner of Living and when we find nothing but Misery in the fruitfullest Countries subject to Arbitrary Power but always a Face of plenty and Chearfulness in Countries naturally unfruitful which have preserv'd their Liberties there is no further room left for Argument and one cannot be long in determining which is most eligible This Observation is so obvious that 't is hard for any that Travels not to make it therefore 't is a sufficient reason why all our Gentry should go abroad An English Man should be shewn the Misery of the enslaved Parts of the World to make him in Love with the Happiness of his own Country as the Spartans exposed their drunken Servants to their Children to make them in love with Sobriety But the more polish'd and delicious Countries of France Spain or Italy are not the places where this Observation may be made to greatest advantage the Manner of Living Goodness of the Air and Diet the Magnificence of the Buildings Pleasantness of the Gardens pompous Equipage of some great Persons dazzle the Eyes of most Travellers and cast a disguise upon the Slavery of those Parts and as they render this Evil more supportable to the Natives so they almost quite hide it from the view of a Cursory Traveller amusing him too much from considering the Calamities which accompany so much Splendour and so many Natural Blessings or from reflecting how much more happy the Condition of the People would be with better usage But in the Northern Kingdoms and Provinces there appears little or nothing to divert the Mind from contemplating Slavery in its own Colours without any of its Ornaments And since for that reason few of our Gentlemen find temptation enough to Travel into those Parts and we have hardly any tolerable Relation of them extant though we have frequent occasions of being concerned with them I thought it might be of use to publish the following Account of Denmark which I took care to be informed of upon the place with the greatest Exactness possible and have related fairly and impartially which may save the Curious the labour and expence of that Voyage That Kingdom has often had the Misfortune to be govern'd by French Counsels At the time when Mr. Algernoon Sydney was Ambassador at that Court Monsieur Terlon the French Ambassador had the Confidence
And herein Norway exceeds the other Dominions of the King of Denmark that it affords Commodities for Exportation which none of the rest do in any quantity The Inhabitants are a hardy laborious and honest sort of People they are esteemed by others and esteem themselves much superiour to the Danes whom they call upbraidingly Jutes Island and Feroe are miserable Islands in the North Ocean Corn will scarce grow in either of them but they have good stocks of Cattle No Trade is permitted them but with the Danes the Inhabitants are great Players at Chess It were worth some curious Mans enquiry how such a studious and difficult Game should get thus far Northward and become so generally used The King of Denmark's Factories in the East and West-Indies and in Guinea are esteemed of very little worth and consideration yet I have seen several East-India Ships return home to Copenhagen well laden with the Merchandize of those Countries and there is an East-India Company lately set up whereof most of the Men of Quality are Members and Adventurers But whether the Lading of those Ships I mentioned were the lawful Product of Trade or acquired by other means will in time be worth the inquiry of those Kingdoms and States whose Interest it is to preserve in the Indians and Persians a good Opinion of the honesty and fair dealing of the Europeans And thus I have said as much as I think requisite touching the Situation Extent and Qualities of the Lands and Dominions belonging to the King of Denmark which amounts in general to this that they are very large disjoined and intermixt producing but a moderate Plenty of Necessaries for the Inhabitants but few Commodities for the Merchant and no Manufactures if we except a little Iron Whether these Defects in Countries well situated and indifferent fertile be altogether natural or partly accidental will better appear when I treat of the Form of the Government and the present Condition Customs and Manners of the Natives but because these last do in a manner depend upon and are influenced by the former I shall choose to begin with it CHAP. VI. Of their Form of Government THE Ancient Form of Government here was the same which the Goths and Vandals established in most if not all Parts of Europe whither they carried their Conquests and which in England is retained to this day for the most part 'T is said of the Romans That those Provinces which they Conquer'd were amply recompenced for the loss of their Liberty by being reduced from their Barbarity to Civility by the Introduction of Arts Learning Commerce and Politeness I know not whether this manner of Arguing hath not more of Pomp than Truth in it but with much greater reason may it be said that all Europe was beholding to these People for introducing or restoring a Constitution of Government far excelling all others that we know of in the World 'T is to the ancient Inhabitants of these Countries with other neighbouring Provinces that we owe the Original of Parliaments formerly so common but lost within this last Age in all Kingdoms but those of Poland Great Britain and Ireland Denmark therefore was till within these Two and Thirty years governed by a King chosen by the People of all sorts even the Boors had their Voices which King Waldemar the Third acknowledged in that memorable answer of his to the Popes Nuncio who pretended to a great power over him Naturam habemus à Deo regnum à subditis Divitias à parentibus Religionem à Romana Ecclesia quam si nobis invides renuntiamus per praesentes The Estates of the Realm being convened to that intent were to Elect for their Prince such a Person as to them appeared Personable Valiant Just Merciful Affable a Maintainer of the Laws a Lover of the People Prudent and Adorned with all other Vertues fit for Government and requisite for the great Trust reposed in him yet with due regard had to the Family of the preceding Kings If within that Line they found a Person thus qualified or esteemed to be so they thought it but a piece of just Gratitude to prefer him before any other to this high Dignity and were pleased when they had reason to choose the Eldest Son of their former King rather than any of the younger as well because they had regard to Priority of Birth when all other Vertues were equal as because the greatness of his Paternal Estate might put him above the reach of Temptations to be covetous or dishonest and inable him in some degree to support the Dignity of his Office But if after such a Choice they found themselves mistaken and that they had advanced a Cruel Vitious Tyrannical Covetous or Wasteful Person they frequently Deposed him oftentimes Banished sometimes Destroyed him and this either formally by making him Answer before the Representative Body of the People or if by ill Practices such as making of Parties levying of Soldiers contracting of Alliances to support himself in opposition to the Peoples Rights he was grown too powerful to be legally contended with they dispatched him without any more Ceremony the best way they could and Elected presently a better Man in his room sometimes the next of Kin to him sometimes the Valiant Man that had exposed himself so far as to undertake the Expulsion or the killing of the Tyrant at other times a private Person of a good Reputation who possibly least dreamt of such an Advancement Frequent Meetings of the Estates was a part of the very Fundamental Constitution In those Meetings all Matters relating to good Government were transacted good Laws were enacted all Affairs belonging to Peace or War Alliances disposal of great Offices Contracts of Marriages for the Royal Family c. were debated The imposing of Taxes or demanding of Benevolences was purely accidental no constant Tribute being ever paid nor any Money levied on the People unless either to maintain a necessary War with the advice and consent of the Nation or now and then by way of Free-gift to help to raise a Daughters Portion the King 's ordinary Revenue at that time consisting only in the Rents of his Lands and Demesnes in his Herds of Cattle Forests Services of Tenants in manuring and cultivating his Grounds c. Customs upon Merchandize being an Imposition of late crept into this part of the World so that he lived like one of our Modern Noblemen upon the Revenues of his own Estate and eat not through the Sweat of his Subjects Brows His business was to see a due and impartial Administration of Justice executed according to the Laws nay often to sit and do it himself to be watchful and vigilant for the welfare of his People to Command in Person their Armies in time of War to encourage Industry Religion Arts and Learning and it was his Interest as well as Duty to keep fair with his Nobility and Gentry and to be careful of the Plenty and Prosperity
and began to waver very much in his Resolutions so that their Liberties seem purely lost for want of some to appear for them From the Theatre those that had done Homage went to the Council-House where the Nobles were called over by Name and ordered to Subscribe the above-mentioned Declaration which they all did Thus this great Affair was finished and the Kingdom of Denmark in Four Days time changed from an Estate little differing from Aristocracy to as absolute a Monarchy as any is at present in the World The Commons have since experienced that the little Finger of an Absolute Prince can be heavier than the Loins of many Nobles Theonly comfort they have left them being to see their former Oppressors in almost as miserable a Condition as themselves whilst all the Citizens of Copenhagen have by it obtained the insignificant Priviledge of wearing Swords So that at this day not a Cobler or Barber stirs abroad without a Tilter at his side let his Purse be never so empty The Clergy who always make sure Bargains were the only Gainers in this Point and are still much encouraged by the Court as the Instruments that first promoted and now keep the People in a due Temper of Slavery the Passive Obedience Principle riding Triumphant in this unhappy Kingdom It was but Justice that the Court should pay well the principal Contrivers of this great Revolution and therefore notwithstanding the general want of Money Hannibal Seestede had a Present of 200000 Crowns Swan the Superintendent or Bishop was made Archbishop and had 30000 Crowns The President or Speaker Nanson 20000 Crowns And to the People remained the Glory of having forged their own Chains and the Advantage of Obeying without reserve A happiness which I suppose no English Man will ever envy them CHAP. VIII The Condition Customs and Temper of the People ALL these do so necessarily depend upon and are influenced by the Nature and Change of Government that 't is easily imagined the present Condition of these People of all Ranks must be most deplorable at least it appears so to an English Man who sees it possibly more than to them that suffer it For Slavery like a sickly Constitution grows in time so habitual that it seems no Burden nor Disease it creates a kind of laziness and idle despondency which puts Men beyond hopes and fears It mortifies Ambition Emulation and other troublesome as well as active qualities which Liberty and Freedom beget and instead of them affords only a dull kind of Pleasure of being careless and insensible In former Times and even till the late Alteration in the Government the Nobility or Gentry for they are here the same thing lived in great Affluence and Prosperity their Country Seats were large and magnificent their Hospitality extraordinary because their Plenty was so too they lived for the most part at home and spent their Revenues among their Neighbours and Tenants by whom they were considered and respected as so many petty Princes In times of Convention of the Estates which ordinarily happened once a year they met their King with Retinues almost as large as his they frequently eat and drank at the same Table with him and in the debate of Publick Affairs their Suffrages were of greatest weight and usually carried the Point For the Commons were willing in a great measure to be directed by them because they much depended on them In process of time this Excess of Power as you have heard made most of them grow insolent which was the chief occasion of their fall together with the loss of the Liberties of the whole Country So that now they are sunk to a very low Condition and diminish daily both in Number and Credit their Estates scarce paying the Taxes imposed on them Which makes them grind the Faces of their poor Tenants to get an Overplus for their own Subsistance Nay I have been assured by some Gentlemen of good Repute who formerly were Masters of great Estates that they have offered to make an absolute Surrender to the King of large Possessions in the Island of Zealand rather than pay the Taxes which offer though pressed with earnestness would by no means be accepted And upon my further enquiry into the Reason of it I have been informed that Estates belonging to those Gentlemen who made this offer lying in other places which had the good Fortune to be taxed less than the full value of the Income were liable to pay the Taxes of any other Estate appertaining to the same Person in case that other Estate were not able so that some have been seen with a great deal of joy declaring that the King had been so gracious as to take their Estates from them Through these and several other means many of the ancient Families are fallen to decay their Country Habitations which were like Palaces being ruinous they are forced to live meanly and obscurely in some corner of them Unless it be their good Fortune to procure an Employment Civil or Military at Court which is the thing they are most Ambitious of it being indeed necessary to secure to their Families any tolerable Subsistance or to afford them some shelter from the Exactions and Injustices of the Collectors The Civil Employments are in no great number nor of great value as they seldom are in a poor Country governed by an Army so that few are provided for this way The greatest part patiently enduring their Poverty at home where in a short time their Spirits as well as their Estates grow so mean that you would scarce believe them to be Gentlemen either by Discourse or Garb. Ancient Riches and Valour were the only Title to Nobility formerly in this Country the Nobles and Gentry being as I said before the same thing None took either their Degree or Patents of Honour from the King But of late years to supply the want of Riches some few Titles of Baron or Count and nothing higher have been given to Favourites who enjoy not the same Priviledges by those Titles as our Lords in England do but content themselves with a few Airy insignificant ones which distingush them from the Common People there are not many even of this kind of Nobility I believe fifteen or twenty are the most these are such who are most easie in their Fortunes and are obliged that they may preserve them to keep in with the Court by all manner of ways as indeed all are who have a mind to live and eat Bread 'T is only this kind of Nobility with Titles that have liberty to make a Will or Testament and thereby to dispose of any Estate otherwise than as the Law has already determined that it shall fall of course Unless such Will be during the Life of the Testator approved of and signed by the King and then it shall be of force and valid 'T is almost needless to mention that there is no buying or selling of Land here for where an Estate is a
Charge there will be few Buyers Neither do I remember any one Alienation of Lands for Money during all the time I stayed in that Country except some Estates which the Queen purchased where she paid after the rate of 16000 Crowns for that which Thirty Years ago was valued at 60000 Crowns There were indeed some Persons who took Lands from the King in lieu of Money which they had lent the Crown and among these I remember to have heard of two Monsieur Texera a rich Jew of Hamburg and Monsieur Marseilles a Dutch Merchant who was formerly established at Copenhagen These were forced to take Lands or Nothing for their Debts which amounted to some Hundred Thousands of Crowns yet did these Lands yield them so little Income by reason of the Taxes imposed on them though they were vast Tracts of fertile Ground that they would willingly have parted with them as I was informed for one fifth part of their Principal However in case it should happen that one who has a mind to transplant himself to another place could find a Purchaser for his Estate the Law is That one third part of such Purchase-Money shall accrue to the King and indeed if there were not such a severe Law against Alienations it is possible most of the present Possessors would quit the Country the first Opportunity The King assumes to himself the Power of disposing of all Heirs and Heiresses of any Consideration as it is practised in France Not that there is any Law for it but upon pain of his Displeasure which here is too weighty to be born Military Employments are mightily coveted by the Native Gentry almost as much as the Civil and purely for the same reason that the Priests Office was among the Jews viz. That they may eat a piece of Bread For it is a sure way to find Soldiers as long as there are Men in a Kingdom to imitate the French King's practice in this particular make the Gentry poor and render Traffick unprofitable or dishonourable Men of Birth must live and one half of the Nation by giving up themselves to Slavery will contribute their Assistance afterwards to put Chains upon the other Yet in Denmark the Natives are considered much less than Strangers and are more out of the Road of Preferment whether it be that the Court can better trust Strangers whose Fortunes they make than the Posterity of such whose Fortunes they have ruined Or whether they think their very Parts and Courage to be diminished in proportion to their Estates and Liberty which appears to be plainly the case of their common People or for what other reason certain it is that all sorts of Places Civil and Military are filled more by Forreigners than Gentlemen of the Country And in their disposal of Offices it is remarkable that such as are of ordinary Birth and Fortunes are much sooner preferred than those of contrary qualities So that here may be found several in the most profitable and honourable Employments who have formerly been Serving-men and such like and these prove the best Executors of the Will and Pleasure of Arbitrary Power and therefore are caressed accordingly There is one further advantage in the promotion of these kind of Men that after they are grown rich by Extortion and have sucked the Blood of the Poor when Clamours grow loud against them the Court can with ease squeeze these Leaches laying all the blame of its own Oppression at their Doors and this without the danger of causing the discontent of any of the Nobles upon the score of Kindred or Alliance The difficulty of procuring a comfortable Subsistence and the little security of enjoying what shall be acquired through Industry is a great cause of Prodigality not only in the Gentry whose Condition is more easie but also in the very Burgers and Peasants they are sensible that they live but from Hand to Mouth and therefore as soon as they get a little Money they spend it They live to day as the Poet advises not knowing but what they now have may be taken from them tomorrow And therefore expensiveness in Coaches Retinue Clothes c. is no where more common nor more extravagant in proportion to their Income than in this Country Parsimony is often not only a cause but a sign of Riches the more a wealthy Man has the more he endeavours to acquire and to encrease his stock But here the Courtier buys no Land but remits his Money to the Bank of Amsterdam or of Hamburgh the Gentleman spends presently on himself and his Pleasures all that he can get for fear he should have the Reputation of being Rich and his Money be taken from him by Taxes before he has eaten or drank for it the Merchant and Burger do the like and subsist purely upon Credit there being very few of this sort in the King's Dominions that can be called rich or worth 100000 Rix Dollars The Peasant or Boor as soon as he gets a Rix Dollar lays it out in Brandy with all haste lest his Landlord whose Slave he is should hear of it and take it from him Thus Torva leaena lupum sequitur lupus ipse capellam The Trading Towns and Villages if we except Copenhagen whose Scituation and Haven make it thrive a little in spight of ill usage are all fallen to decay Those Burroughs which formerly lent good Sums of Money to the Prince upon extraordinary Publick Occasions and furnished the Hollanders yearly with ten or twelve great Fly-boats Lading of Corn being now not in a condition to raise 100 Rix Dollars or to Lade one small Ship of Rye as may be instanced in Kiog once a flourisning little Seaport-Town twenty Miles from Copenhagen which in King Christian the Fourth's time raised for that King's Service in four and twenty hours time 200000 Rix Dollars yet upon occasion of the last Poll Tax I heard that the Collectors were forced to take from this and other Towns in lieu of Money old Feather beds Bedsteads Brass Pewter Wooden Chairs c. which they violently took from the Poor People who were unable to pay leaving them destitute of all manner of Necessaries for the use of Living Some Manufactures have been endeavoured to be introduced not so much with a design of benefiting the Publick as private Courtiers and great Men who were the Undertakers and expected to profit thereby particularly that of Silks and Drinking glasses but in a little time all came to nothing it being a very sure Rule that Trade will not be forced in a place where real Encouragements and Advantages are not to be found and where Property is not secured the very Credit of the Subject being as slender as his Riches are uncertain If this be the Case of the Gentleman and Burger what can be expected to be that of the poor Peasant or Boor In Zealand they are all as absolute Slaves as the Negroes are in Barbadoes but with this difference that their Fare is
Last according to the Ships burden    Custom  RD Stiv. A Mast for a Ship of 28 Palms long pays 30 00 of 21 Palms 11 00 of 13 Palms 01 24 Between 12 and 8 Palms per dozen 02 24 Under 5 Palms per dozen 00 12 The rest proportionably    Consumption or Excise  RD Stiv. One Doe-skin undressed 00 02 dressed 00 04 Ten Calves-skins 00 02 Ten Sheep-skins 00 01 One Ox-hide 00 02 Tanned 00 04 Ten Hides of English Leather 00 24 One Barrel of Rye ground for 00 16 Bread pays to the King for the grinding ground for Brandy 00 32 One Barrel of Wheat ground for flower 00 40 of Malt for a Brewer 00 32 for a private House 01 00 of Oats for Grout 00 08 A Rix Dollar is something short of an English Crown in value a Stiver is more than an English Penny 48 Stivers make a Rix Dollar One Lispound is the same with that we call a Stone One Ship-pound is 20 Lispound A Danish Ell is a third less than an English or thereabouts There are publick Mills appointed and farmed to certain persons by the King where all the Inhabitants of Copenhagen are bound to grind upon a Penalty and to pay the Sums above-mentioned for grinding it being not permitted to any private Person or Brewer to grind his own Mault nor Baker his own Bread-corn I need say no more of the Tax for Marriage Licences or that for the use of mark'd Paper in Bonds and Contracts than has been already mention'd Those of the second sort viz. Land-Tax House-Tax Poll-Money and Fortification-Money which are sometimes laid high and sometimes low can have no settled estimate made of them however I shall endeavour to compute them in the summing up the total of the Revenue according to what they have yielded of late years which was pretty high and according to the utmost they can bear at present or may probably for the future Some years ago since the last War with Sweden the King caused a Valuation and a Register to be made of all the Houses in the Cities and Burroughs within his Dominions as likewise an admeasurement of all Lands in the Country that he might the better proportion the Taxes he should have occasion to levy These are now applotted and raised according to the very utmost of the Peoples Abilities neither do I believe that in case of a War or other exigency they could possibly bear a greater burden for in the Country the Gentleman and Peasant are in a manner ruined in the Cities and Burroughs Houses pay yearly for Ground-Tax four per Cent. of the whole value that the Ground is rated at if it were to be purchased and this is estimated by Commissioners appointed for that purpose according to the quantity of the Ground or the conveniency of the Station moreover for every hundred Rix Dollars which the Ground of any House is rated at the Inhabitants are obliged to quarter one Souldier Thus a Rhenish-Wine Vintner at Copenhagen and he none of the richest has the Ground of his House valued at 900 Rix Dollars he consequently pays 36 Rix Dollars yearly for Ground-tax and quarters nine Soldiers upon the account of his House and three more upon the account of his Trade The like proportion is observ'd towards all others with respect to their Houses and Trades Here is commonly one Poll-Tax at least every year or if it chance to miss one year it is usually doubled the next The lowest Assessment is according to the following proportion vi z a Burgher esteemed worth eight or ten thousand Rix Dollars pays for himself four Rix Dollars for his Wife four Rix Dollars for every Child two Rix Dollars for every Servant one Rix Dollar for every Horse one Rix Dollar An ordinary Alehouse-keeper pays for himself one Rix Dollar for his Wife one Rix Dollar for every Child 24 Stivers for every Servant 16 Stivers About two years ago there was a Poll-Tax higher than ordinary and at that time this proportion was observed One of the Farmers of the Customs paid for himself 24 Rix Dollars for his Wife 16 Rix Dollars for her Maid two Rix Dollars for every other Servant one Rix Dollar A Burger esteemed worth six or eight thousand Rix Dollars paid for himself six Rix Dollars for his Wife four Rix Dollars for every Child two Rix Dollars for every Servant one Rix Dollar and thus did others according to their several Abilities The Fortification Schatt is a Tax with a witness in that which was levied in the Year 91 these were the Rules for payment All the King's Servants paid 20 per Cent. of their yearly Salaries All the Officers of the Army beginning with Captains and so upwards 30 per Cent. of their Pay These used to be freed from former Taxes of this kind The Nobility and Gentry paid in proportion to their Rank and Estate The highest as Count Guldenlieu c. from seven hundred to one thousand Rix Dollars each Burgers were taxed according to their supposed Abilities the richer sort from one hundred to four hundred Rix Dollars each the middle sort of Merchants worth six or eight thousand Rix Dollars paid forty Rix Dollars an Apothecary sixty eight Rix Dollars a Vintner fifty five Rix Dollars ordinary Burgers eight or ten Rix Dollars each the poorer sort one or two Rix Dollars and so forth This sort of Tax has been accounted equal with another called the Kriegs Sture imposed at the beginning of the War and that amounted to near seven hundred thousand Rix Dollars in all But 't is most certain the People are not now able to pay it as they were then and consequently it will not be so much by a great deal When the King 's only Daughter was about to be married to the present Elector of Saxony a Marriage-Tax was intended and had certainly been levied in case the Marriage had gone forward but the one as well as the other is now no more spoken of though no Kingdom in Europe can boast of a more deserving Princess I suppose by this time an English Reader has taken a Surfeit of this Account of Taxes which the Subjects of Denmark do pay but it ought to be a great Satisfaction to him to reflect that through the Happiness of our Constitution and the Prudence and Valour of our King the People of this Nation though enjoying ten times more natural and acquired Advantages than the Danes which causes more than ten times their affluence do not for all that pay towards the carrying on the most necessary and just War the third part in proportion to what the King of Denmark's Subjects do in time of a profound Peace Pax servientibus gravior est quam liberis bellum Tacit. Lib. An. 10. The second Head from whence proceeds a considerable Branch of this King's Revenue is the Customs or Toll paid by Foreigners These pay something more for imported Goods than the Natives and Burgers and
the Fourth about six The former is a very forward hopeful Youth the latter does not yet stir out of the Nursery so that no Judgment can be made of him The Princess is about sixteen a very beautiful sweet tempered and well-educated Lady she was contracted to the present Elector of Saxony her own Cosin Germain but the Match was afterwards broken off The King has besides these two Natural Sons by Mrs. Mote a Citizen's Daughter of Copenhagen whom he had made Countess of Samsoe an Island which he has given to her the sends her moreover as it is confidently reported 1000 Rix Dollars every Saturday Night The young Gentlemen her Sons are very handsome and hopeful The eldest is in the Service of France where he has a Regiment of Horse and is called young Guldenlieu to distinguish him from the Elder who is Viceroy of Norway the King gives him the Revenue of the Post-Office This Appellation of Guldenlieu is appropriated to the Bastard Sons of the Kings I know not whether it began with the present Viceroy of Norway or not but it is likely to continue hereafter and a young Guldenlieu will become as necessary an Ornament to the Court as an Heir of the Crown The second of the King's Sons by the Countess of Samsoe is designed for the Sea and to that end has been sent several Voyages in a Man of War under the Direction of a trusty Person in order to fit him to be one day Admiral-General His high Excellency Court Guldenlieu Viceroy of Norway and Natural Brother to the King will be more properly mentioned here as one of the Royal Family than when we come to speak of the Ministers for tho he be one of them yet he cares not to embark himself deep in the Publick Affairs having formerly in some Occurrences burnt his Fingers he thinks it wisdom rather to enjoy his Divertisements and the favour of the King which he now firmly possesses His Father King Frederick loved him so well that he once thought of making him King of Norway which has been remembred to his prejudice and obliges him to carry himself with great care under a Government so Arbitrary as this is He is about fifty six years of Age has been one of the handsomest and continues one of the finest Gentlemen that Denmark has produced having to his Natural Accomplishments added all the advantages of Travel and Knowledge of the World He is a Man of Pleasure and understands it in all its Refinements his Palace his Gardens his Entertainment manner of accosting c. excelling by many degrees any thing that can be found elsewhere in that Kingdom He was formerly Ambassador Extraordinary from King Frederick his Father to King Charles the Second who shewed such a particular esteem for him that he made him the Partner of his Pleasures And this is returned by so deep a sense of that King's Kindness that he scarce ever mentions his Name without great concern He speaks a little English and is very obliging to any Person that belongs to this Countrey in gratitude for the great Civilities he received here The King of Denmark's Court as to Pomp and Magnificence can hardly be called a Royal one the Luxury and Extravagance of the more Southern Courts of Europe having not reached thus far North no more than their Riches It is true indeed since their good correspondence with France their Manners are somewhat refined above what they formerly were they affect French Modes French Servants and French Officers in the Army whereof they have one Lieutenant General and one Major General who have quitted France for fighting Duels there And this is either really true or at least the pretence of such as seek Service in Foreign Countries on purpose to do the business of France whose interest they always cultivate industriously tho they seem never so much in disgrace with their Prince In this Court no Ensigns of Majesty appear let the occasion be never so solemn except such as are Military all those which a standing Army can afford such as Horse and Foot Guards Trabands which answer our Beef-eaters Kettle-Drums and Trumpets c. are there is perfection and used every day as much as in a Camp but Badges of Peace viz. Sword of State Heralds Maces Chancellor's Purse c. are not known The King sits down to Dinner with his Queen Children Relations prime Ministers and General Officers of the Army till the round Table be filled The Court Mareschal invites whom he thinks fit to eat with the King speaking sometimes to one sometimes to another till all have had their turns in that honour A Page in Livery says Grace before and after Meat for no Chaplain appears either here or in any other of the Protestant Courts abroad but in the Pulpit There is a plentiful Table but the Meat dressed after their own manner The King 's particular Diet every day is a Loin of roasted Veal and his Drink Rhenish-Wine whereof a silver Beakerfull stands at every one's Plate which generally serves for the whole Meal The Attendants are one or two Gentlemen and the rest Livery Servants No Ceremony of the Knee is used to the King The Kettle Drums and Trumpets which are ranged in a large place before the Palace proclaim aloud the very Minute when he sits down to Table Sunday is his Fasting day and by his Example is so to many of the Courtiers Court times wherein those that have business may most easily have Audience are an hour before Dinner constantly and sometimes before Supper At such times the King's Children Domestick and Foreign Ministers Officers of the Army and Houshold appear in the Antichamber and Bedchamber these compose the Court and seldom amount to above the number of twenty or thirty Few or no Gentlemen that have not Employments are seen at Court or in Copenhagen for Reasons formerly given The Officers of the Houshold are The Marshal who regulates the Affairs of the Family and gives the King notice when Dinner or Supper is ready The Comptroller of the Kitchen who places the Dishes of Meat upon the Table and is likewise Master of the Ordnance The Master of the Horse who looks after the King's Stables and Studs of Mares whereof the King has very many and very good especially those of one Breed particular to him which are light Iron-Grey with black Heads Tails and Mains But one forms a nearer Idea of the Grandeur and Revenue belonging to these several Offices by imagining them like the same in the Families of some of our English Noblemen rather than of those belonging to Whitehall The Master of the Ceremonies is obliged by his Employment to be a constant Attender at Court But the principal Favourite of the King is Monsieur Knute a Mecklenburger and only Gentleman of the Bedchamber He has been bred up all along with the King as his Confident and Companion in his Pleasures is a civil well-natur'd Gentleman speaks no Language but his
les Admiraux le General Commissaire de l'Armée les Colonels des Gardes du Corps ou Trabans 2. Les Brigadiers 3. Le Maréchal de la Cour. VIII 1. Les Conseillers de la Chancellerie Les Envoyez Extraordinaires du Roy le Maistre des Ceremonies 2. Les Conseillers de la Chambre des Comptes le Procureur General 3. Les Conseillers de Guerre 4. Les Conseillers de l'Admirauté 5. Les Conseillers de Commerce IX 1. Le sur Intendant de Séelande 2. Le Confesseur du Roy. 3. Le Recteur de l'Accademie l'année qu'il est Recteur le President de la Ville de Copen X. 1. Les Colonels des Regimens des Gardes à Cheval à Pied les Vice-Admiraux les Colonels de l'Artillerie 2. Les autres Colonels de Cavalerie ou d'Infanterie 3. Les Lieutenans Colonels des Gardes du Corps ou Trabans apres eux les Bailliffs XI 1. Les Gentilshommes de la Chambre du Roy de la Reine 2. Le Maistre de l'Ecurie 3. Le Veneur du Roy. 4. Le Secretaire de la Chambre du Roy. 5. Le Secretaire de la Milice 6. Le Grand Payeur XII 1. Les assesseurs de la haute Justice les Conseillers d'Assistance en Norwegue les sur Intendans des autres Provinces 2. Les Juges Provinciaux XIII 1. Les Generaux Auditeurs les Maistres Generaux des quartiers 2. Les Lieutenans Colonels Scoutbynachts Maiors des Gardes du Corps a Trabans XIV 1. Les Assesseurs de la Chancelerie de la Justice de la Cour de Norwegue 2. Les Assesseurs du Consistoire les Bourgmeisters de Copenhague le Medicin du Roy. 3. Les Assesseurs de la Chambre des Comptes aprés eux les Commissaires des Provinces 4. Les Assesseurs du College de Guerre 5. Les Assesseurs du College de l'Admirauté 6. Les Assesseurs du College du Commerce XV. Les Maistres de Cuisine les Gentilshommes de la Cour les Generaux Adjutans les Maiors les Capitains des Gardes a Cheval les Capitaines Commandeurs des Vaisseaux XVI 1. Les Secretaires de la Chancellerie de la Justice 2. Le Secretaire de la Chambre des Comptes 3. Le Secretaire du College de Guerre 4. Le Secretaire de l'Admirauté 5. Le Secretaire du Commerce Ilya à observer que quand plusiers charges sont nommées ensemble Et qu'elles ne sont pas distinguées de quelque numero à part Ils prendront le rang entre eux selon qu'ils sont premiers en charge Les Ministres du Roy qui possedent quelques charges qui ne sont pas nommées dans cette Ordonnance retiendront même rang qu'ils ont eu Jusques icy Ceux à qui le Roy a déja donné ou donnera le Rang deConseiller Privé jouiront du même Rang que s'ils l'Etoint effectivement Ceux qui possedent effectivement quelques charges auront le Rang avant ceux qui en ont seulement le titre ne font point de fonction Ceux que le Roy dispense de ne plus exercer leur charges retiendront pourtant le même Rang qu'ils avoient eu exercant leurs charges si quelqu'un prand une autre charge de moindre Rang que sa premiere n'étoit il retiendra pourtant le Rang de la premiere Les Femmes se regleront ainsi qu'apres les Comtesses suivront les Gouvernantes Demoiselles de la Chambre de la Cour pendant qu'elles sont en service aprez elles les Femmes de Conseillers Privez qui tiennent Rang avec eux ensuite les Baronesses autres Femmes selon la Condition de leurs maris tant de leur vivant qu'aprez leur mort pendant quelles demeurent veufves La Noblesse qui n'a point de charge les Capitaines de Cavalerie d'Infanterie autres Persones Ecclesiastiques Seculiers tiendront le pas entre eux comme ils ont fait auparavant Surquoy tous auront a se Régler souspeine de la perte de la faveur Royale Et si quelqu'n contre toute Esperance se trouve de propre Authorité qui face quelque chose contre cette Ordonnance payera tout aussitost qu'il sera Convaincu d'un tel Crime l'amande de mille Reicsthalers Et outre sera poursuive par le General fiscal du Roy comme violateur des Ordres Royaux fait à Copenhag le 31 Decembre 1680. CHAP. XII The Disposition and Inclinations of the King of Denmark towards his Neighbours THE Kingdoms and States which border upon the King of Denmark are towards the North and Northeast the Territories belonging to Sweden towards the South the Duke of Holstein's part of Sleswick and Holstein the City of Hamburg and the Dutchy of Bremen Towards the West and Southwest England and Scotland which are separated from them by the main Ocean Towards the South-east the Dukedoms of Saxe Lawenburg of Mecklenburg and of Lunenburg The Dominions of Brandenburgh c. lye also this way not far distant from them Between the King of Denmark and most of these Neighbours it may be said in general that there always is a reciprocal Jealousy and Distrust which often breaks out into open Hostilities with those nearer more frequently with the remoter more seldom according as the occasions of quarrel or revenge do happen The interposition of a vast Ocean has hitherto kept the Danes in pretty good terms with England and Scotland and the Trade they have with those Kingdoms is very considerable to them their Maritime Forces are in no measure sufficient to cope with us and others concern'd otherwise they have had a good mind to challenge the sole right of the Groenland Whale-fishing as pretending that Countrey to be a discovery of theirs and therefore to belong to them Since the present Wars with France and our strict Union with the Hollanders they have shown themselves extreme jealous of our Greatness at Sea fearing lest we should ingross and command the whole Trade of the World and therefore have favoured France on all occasions as much as they durst furnishing it with Naval Stores and other Commodities which it wants And for this reason notwithstanding their scarcity of Money they will hardly be persuaded either to lend or sell any more Forces to the Confederates Neither is it to be doubted but that as well to keep the balance of the Sea Power even as to secure the liberty of their Commerce which brings them in great Gains they will leave no Stone unturned to do us a Mischief in order to humble us to such a degree as may put them out of fears that we shall give law to the Ocean To this end they have entred into stricter Alliances with Sweden of late for a mutual Vindication of open Commerce
accomplished by his Majesty of Great Britain the very first year of his Exaltation to the Throne The Duke of Holstein Gotorp whom I have purposely mentioned last of those Princes that confine with Denmark that I may have an opportunity to speak more amply concerning his Case is nearly related to the King of Denmark both by Consanguinity and Affinity They are of the same Family of Oldenburg the Ancestor of the present Duke refused the Kingdom of Denmark in favour of the Ancestor of the King whom he recommended to the Peoples Election This Duke is married to the King's Sister by whom he has Issue a very hopeful Prince his Territories are intermixt both in Sleswick and Holstein with the King 's but much to his disquiet and inconvenience for Ambition knows no bounds especially when joined with Power sufficient to oppress a weak Opponent The King thought it for his Interest and that is esteemed reason enough with most Princes to be Master of the whole Countrey which the Duke being sensible of and convinced that the first convenient opportunity would be taken to dispossess him to secure himself cultivated as strong a Friendship as he could with the King of Sweden his Brother in-Law and one who upon many accounts was bound to hinder the Greatness of the Danes Yet this Confederacy reached no farther nor was ever intended to be made use of by the Duke otherwise than as a Defensive Guard the Reputation whereof might possibly shelter him from Oppression For the Duke was of himself much too weak to oppose the King and the Succours of the Swede too far distant to frustrate a sudden Attempt to which he lay constantly exposed But in regard that at long run this Alliance would stand him in greatest stead as he has found by Experience it was always most carefully cherished and maintained on the Duke's part and no less on the King 's who did and ever will think it of great advantage to him to uphold the Duke of Holstein in his lawful Rights and no less detrimental to his Enemy this Duke being the severest Thorn in the Foot of the King of Denmark and the greatest Mortification to him that can possibly be imagined who now of a near Kinsman and Brother by his ill usage has made an utter Enemy that notwithstanding the present Composure of Differences can neither trust him nor be trusted by him For the better understanding of which it will not be amiss in another Chapter to give a short account of the Proceedings in that whole Matter CHAP. XIII The manner of dispossessing and restoring the Duke of Holstein Gottorp THE Affairs between the King and Duke being on the terms above-mentioned that is to say Ambition and Reason of State guiding the Designs of one Party Fear and Weakness of the other Hatred and Distrust of both there seemed to be wanting nothing but a fair Opportunity to put in practice what had been long projected by the Danes which at length happened in the year 1675. Among other Differences which remained to be adjusted between the King and Duke the Succession to the Counties of Oldenburg and Lelmenhorst was the greatest this was at length left to the determination of the Imperial Court but whilst it was under debate there several meetings between the Ministers of Denmark and those of Gottorp were appointed in order to an amicable composure of this and all other Quarrels which Meetings were principally sought after by the King with all the seeming desires of Amity and Appearances of Friendship imaginable the better to lull the Duke into Security and a Persuasion of the Sincerity of his Intentions Sometimes an Equivalent for the sole possession of those Counties was proposed and hearkened to and the whole Matter seemed to want nothing but fair drawing up and the Ratification At other times fresh Disputes arose touching the Taxes of the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein whereof the King challenged the greater part to himself in proportion to the share of Forces which he maintained for Defence of the Countrey On the other side the Duke insisted on it that the Taxes ought equally to be divided and if the King kept up more Troops than were necessary that did not any way prejudice his right to an equal share of the Revenues especially since the King's undertakings were managed neither with any previous Communication with or consent of the Duke nor were agreed unto by the States of the Dukedom both which by ancient Treaties ought to have been done But this Ball was either kept up or let fall according to the Circumstances of Affairs abroad which the Danes had a watchful Eye upon at the same time that they treated with the Duke For the Swedes having taken the part of France against the Empire were at this time engaged in a War with the Elector of Brandenburg And the Danes who had long since resolved to break with Sweden thought no time so proper as this to revenge their ancient Quarrel and to regain their lost Provinces But looking upon the Duke of Holstein as a Friend to Sweden and a main Obstacle to their Intentions they durst not march their Army out of the Countrey till they had so ordered Matters as to apprehend no danger from him A deep Dissimulation was necessary to the carrying on this Design upon the Swedes and House of Gottorp and was made use of with so much Address that the Swedish Ambassador who was then residing at Copenhagen and negotiating a Marriage for the King his Master with the Daughter of Denmark was caressed in an extraordinary manner and treated with the greatest Demonstrations of Friendship possible And at the same time the Prime Minister of Denmark wrote most obligingly to the Duke 's Resident then at Hamburg That he was ready to meet him half way and would join endeavours with him to adjust all Differences and establish a firm Correspondence between their Masters which he said he desired above all things He added moreover that when willing Minds met together about the Composure of Differences a few hours would put an end to that which had been transacting many years and therefore conjured him to meet him The King also did often declare himself to this purpose to the Duke's Ministers That he would acknowledge as a great Obligation conferred on him the furthering an Accommodation between him and the Duke 'T is the Custom of the King of Denmark to make once a Year a Voyage into Holstein where he assembles and takes a review of his Troops This is done not only upon the score of Diversion and to see that the Forces be in good Condition but also to use the neighbouring Princes and Hamburgh to such a practice that when they see it performed several years without any ill Consequence or Attempts upon them they may take the less Umbrage and be less upon their Guard whenever he should have any real Design About this time the King was beginning such a Journey
which shall set open Foreign Trade and consequently spoil all the Advantages that his Country enjoys at present I cannot see what will become of the Publick Affairs here for the Soldiers when disbanded being most of them Strangers will return to their respective Homes and the Revenues of these Kingdoms must sink extreamly through the want of People and their Poverty It seems therefore no less than madness for the least and poorest Kingdom of Europe to think of emulating with Success the richest greatest and the most populous and to take its Measures from thence as if there were no difference between King and King So have I heard that the little Republick of St. Marino in Italy which consists but of one small Town with the Mountain it stands upon and is scarce taken notice of by Travellers takes occasion to write to the Republick of Venice sometimes and to stile it Our Sister with as much Gravity and Pride as if it equalled the other in Power But the vanity of these poor Italians proceeds no farther than words which does them no harm But the true Reasons which renders it the Interest of Denmark to keep well with France and they are no weak ones are first because they look upon that Crown as the sole Ballance against the Grandeur of the Emperour and the House of Austria whose Power as I said before is looked on by all the Princes of Germany with a very jealous Eye the late Addition of the Crown of Hungary to it with its other Conquests on that side from the Turks the probability of the Spanish Dominions falling to some active Branch of it and the remembrance what havock the Emperour Charles the Fifth and his Successor made among the German Princes when possess'd of the like Advantages makes the Danes as well as the others reflect seriously upon what may happen hereafter should France be reduced to too low an ebb A second reason is because they know no other Naval Force able to contest the intire Dominion of the Seas with the English and Dutch and they are willing to keep the dispute about that Dominion undetermin'd between the French and us that no Laws may be laid upon Traffick but that they may reap their share of the Trade of the World which they think would be but small should that Point be once finally decided to our Advantage A third Reason and the most forcible is the Subsidies which the King of Denmark draws from time to time from France a little ready money among a necessitous People carrying irresistable Charms with it And this has been the drift of the French Policy in advising that King to a greater Charge than he was able to bear under pretence that they consulted his Honour and Grandeur whereas they only consulted their own ends being sure after they had rendred him and his Countrey Poor that they could buy him when they pleased Yet whenever the French Treasure shall come so far to be exhausted that a fairer bidder appears this piece of Policy will not only fail the French but turn to their disadvantage With the Kings of Spain and Portugal the Dane is in a state of indifferency Their Dominions are so far asunder and the business so little which they have with each other that there happen few or no occasions either of a Quarrel or Friendship between them Yet the Danes have some small Trade for Salt and Wine with each of these Princes Subjects and during this War make some benefit of their Neutrality by transporting in their Ships the Effects of French English and Dutch from one Port to another They have indeed some Pretensions on the Spaniard for Arrears of Subsidies owing to them ever since the Danes took the part of the Confederates against France in the former War but they despair of obtaining them unless some unforeseen Accident put them in a way of getting that Debt the Accompts of which have hardly ever been adjusted between them With the late Elector of Saxony the King of Denmark kept a very good correspondence the Elector having married one of the King's Sisters that Affinity produced as amicable effects as could be desired insomuch that it begat a Resolution of a nearer Union of the two Families in a Match between the present Elector then Prince and the King 's only Daughter this proceeded as far as a formal Contract and the usual Marriage presents were Solemnly exchanged in order to Consummation when on a sudden the old Elector died last year as he was leading an Army towards the Rhine against the French for the common cause of Europe the Death of this Prince among other Alterations produced this that his Successor the present Elector being thereby become at his own disposal and having been formerly very much in love with another Lady who is the present Electress refused to compleat his Marriage with the Daughter of Denmark and sent back the Presents which were given at the time of the Contract This Action of his highly disgusted the King Queen and the whole Danish Court however there was no Remedy but patience the Elector was too remote to fear any Effects of the Danes displeasure and resolved to pursue his own Inclinations in the choice of a Wife let the World say and do what it would Accordingly he presently courted and married where he fancied leaving the Danes to digest this Affront as well as they could which they will scarce forget this great while So that it is to be supposed the ancient Knot between the King and the Electoral Family of Saxe is hereby very much loosened yet not so far as to proceed to any open Breach the Elector's Excuses for this Action having been received and acccepted of as some sort of satisfaction With the Bishop of Munster the King of Denmark lives in good Amity by reason of his Neighbourhood to the Counties of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst and for the most part has a Minister residing in that Court The like Friendship is between him and the other Princes of Germany particularly with the Landtgrave of Hesse Cassel who is Brother to his Queen and extreamly beloved by her The King of Denmark has one Brother viz. Prince George born 1653. and married to her Royal Highness the Princess Ann Sister to her Majesty of England And four Sisters viz. Anna Sophia the Widow of the late Elector of Saxony Frederica Emilia the Wife of the Duke of Holstein Guillimetta Ernestina Widow of the Palatine of the Rhine Ulrica Eleonora Sabina the Queen of Sweden CHAP. XV. Of the Laws Courts of Justice c. SOME Naturalists observe that there is no Plant or Insect how venomous or mean soever but is good for something towards the use of man if rightly applied in like manner it may be said That several useful Lessons may be learnt conducing to the benefit of Mankind from this Account of Denmark provided things be taken by the right handle Hitherto we have indeed met
to tear out of the Book of Motto's in the King's Library this Verse which Mr. Sydney according to the liberty allowed to all noble Strangers had written in it manus haec inimica tyrannis Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem though Monsieur Terlon understood not a word of Latin he was told by others the Meaning of that Sentence which he considered as a Libel upon the French Government and upon such as was then a setting up in Denmark by French Assistance or Example To conclude A considering English Traveller will find by experience that at present nothing is so generally studied by the Sovereign Princes of the World as the Arts of War and the keeping of their own Countries in the desired Subjection The Arts of Peace whereby the Encrease and Prosperity of their Subjects might be promoted being either intirely neglected or faintly prosecuted he will further be convinced what great reason he has to bless Providence for his being born and continuing yet a Freeman He will find that the securing this inestimable Blessing to himself and transmitting it to late Posterity is a Duty he owes to his Country the right performance of which does in a great measure depend upon a good Education of our Youth and the Preservation of our Constitution upon its true and natural Basis The Original Contract All other Foundations being false nonsensical and rotten derogatory to the present Government and absolutely destructive to the legal Liberties of the English Nation Salus populi suprema lex esto AN ACCOUNT OF Denmark AS It was in the Year 1692. CHAP. I. Of the Territories belonging to the King of Denmark and their Situation IF we consider the Extent of the King of Denmark's Dominions he may with Justice be reckoned among the greatest Princes of Europe but if we have regard to the importance and value of them he may be put in Ballance with the King of Portugal and possibly be found lighter His Stile is King of Denmark and Norway of the Goths and Vandals Duke of Sleswick and Holstein Stormar and Ditmarsh Earl in Oldenburg and Delmenhorst all which Countries he actually possesses either in whole or in part so that except that of the Goths and Vandals which Title both he and the King of Sweden use and which the Crown of Denmark has retained ever since it was Master of Sweden as we in England do that of France all the rest are substantial and not empty Titles My design is to acquaint you with the present State of these Countries and to offer nothing but what I have either Collected from sensible grave Persons or what my own Knowledge and Experience has confirm'd to be Truth Since the late Wars between that famous Captain Charles Gustavus of Sweden and Frederic the Third which ended in a Peace Anno 1660. Denmark has been forced to sit down with the loss of all its Territories which lay on the other side of the Baltick Sea Schonen Halland and Bleking remaining to the Swedes notwithstanding frequent Struggles to recover them These three especially Schonen were the best Provinces belonging to Denmark and therefore are still looked upon with a very envious Eye by the Danes And for this very reason 't is reported that the Windows of Cronenburgh Castle whose Prospect lay towards Schonen were wall'd up that so hateful an Object might not cause continual heart-burnings Denmark therefore as it is thus clipp'd is at present bounded on all sides with the Sea except one small Neck of Land where it joins to Holstein the German Ocean washes it on the West and North-west the entrance into the Baltick called the Categate on the North and North-East the Baltick on the East and the River Eyder on the South which having its source very near the East Sea takes his course Westward and falls into the Ocean at Toningen a strong Town of the Duke of Holstein Gottorp's So that if a Channel were made of about three Danish Miles from that River to Kiel 't would be a perfect Island I include in this Account the Dutchy of Sleswick as part of Denmark but not the Dutchy of Holstein because the former was a Fief of that Crown the latter of the Empire All Denmark therefore comprehending its Islands as I have thus bounded it lyes in length between the degrees of 54 gr 45 min. and 58 gr 15 min. North Latitude the breadth not being proportionable and may at a large Computation be reckoned to amount to the bigness of two thirds of the Kingdom of Ireland Norway which lies North from Denmark and is separated from it by that Sea which is usually called the Categate is a vast and barren Countrey full of Mountains and Firr-trees it reaches from 59 to 71 degrees of North Latitude but is very narrow in respect to its length It is bounded on the West and North by the Ocean on the East by Sweden and the Territories belonging to it on the South by the Sea lying between it and Denmark The Sea is so deep about it that there is no Anchorage for Ships and therefore its Coasts are accounted the most dangerous of any in Europe to run with in the Night or in a Storm on which if you chance to be driven there is no scaping the Shoar being all along high Rocks at the very foot of which one may find 200 Fathom Water Holstein which includes Ditmarsh and Stormar is bounded by the Dutchy of Sleswick on the North the Dutchy of Saxe Lawenburg on the South-East the River Elbe on the South-West the rest of it is washed by the Ocean and Baltick Sea It lies between the 54th and 55th degrees of North Latitude Oldenburg and Delmenhorst are two Counties in Germany that lye together detached from all the rest of the King of Denmark's Countries the two Rivers Elb and Weser and the Dutchy of Bremen interposing between them and Holstein They are bounded on the North-East by the Weser on the West by East-Friesland and the County of Embden on the South by part of the Bishoprick of Munster They are a small Territory of about 35 English Miles in Diameter the middle of which is in the Latitude of 53 degrees and a half The rest of the King of Denmark's Territories not mentioned in the enumeration of his Titles are the Islands of Feroe and Iseland in the Northern Ocean St. Thomas one of the Caribbe Islands in the West-Indies A Fort upon the Coast of Guinea call'd Christiansburg and another in the East-Indies call'd Tranquebar He has likewise a Toll at Elfleet upon the River Weser Thus much may serve in general touching the Dominions of that King which have this great inconveniency that they are mightily disjoined and separated from each other it being certain that a State which is confined by many Principalities is weak exposed to many dangers and requires a more than ordinary Expence as well as Prudence to preserve it entire And it is to this principally that the