Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-12-08
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From tie ". Y. Observer.
Sweden and Norway.

There is now in the north Of Europe
only one great power: Russia. The 9th
err powers are but humble and obscure
satellites of this enormous planet. In
former ages, however, when even the
tna,ae Of Muscovy Or Russia was I'M
known to the world, SWEDEN had al
ready achieved a glorious renown. This
country influenced greatly IN the seven
teenth century the destinics of Europe /;
and protestants in particular should cher
ish profound gratitude for the nation
which produced the iIlustrious GUsrAvUs
! ADoLPHUs.
! The Reformation early penetrated into
Sweden. 1t was introduced in 1925 by
Gustavus Vasa, whose history resembles
romance. This prince, descended from
a noble family. remained long time in
the mines of Dalecarlia. His country
was then subjected to the yoke Of Den
mark. But when all the citizens, great
and small, were tired of this foreign ty-
ranny, he placed himself boldly at the
head of the revolters, and conquered a
throne which he honored by his mascu-
line virtues.
About an age elapsed, and then rose
| the most celebrated OF the Swedish kings,
GusTAvus ADoLpHUs, who united the
sentiments Of Christian to the wisdom
of prince. Undoubtedly he was one
of the most eminent persons that ever
lived. We know not which most to ad-
mire in him, his personal qualities Or his
superior talents. Gustavus Adophus,
humanity speaking, saved professionalism
in Germany during the long and bloody
| Thirty Years. War; and when he died
in 1862, upon the field of battle at LuT-
ZEN, the cause of the Reformation was
eHectually won. At this period Sweden
reached the zenith of her glory and pow
er. She bore large part in the celebra-
ted TREATY OF WtsTPHALIA, which was
the basis of public law in Europe from the
year l 648 till the time of the French
Revolution.
/ Queen CHRISTINE succeeded Gustavus
Adolphus. Intelligent and learned, but
capricious and passionate, her life is mar
Iked with eccentricities. She studied
! philosophy in the morning with DesoAR-
TIES, and in the evening abandoned her.
self to loose pleasures. At last, in a
moment of excitement, or by an unac-
-countab!e womanish freak, she abdicated
the throne. Afterward she wished to re-
sumo it, but the Swedes wisely refused
to let her return to the country. After
residing in France, where she rendered
Eherself odious by the assassination of her
lover, MonaIdeschi, Christine embraced
catholicism, and sought retreat in Rome
with the pope.
Another king. CHARLES XII, who
liveI at the end of the seventeenth cen.
fury, was famous alike for his eccentrici.
ties and his warlike enterprises. HI
was brave but rash general; crowned
adventurer rather than great warrior
During the first years of his reign hi
dictated laws to the north of Europe
he governed Poland and Denmark Rus
sia trembled at his presence: and his ge
MUS seemed for a moment to eclipse tina
of the ozar, Peter I. But Charles lack
ing caution in his attacks, at last lost hi
own crown, and remained long prison
err in Turkey. He was killed by bulle
while beseiging town.
pass over the whole intermediate his
tory to come to 1889. This Gustavus
possessed of singular vanity, GUsrAvU
Ill, who was contemporary with the revo
luton. pretended TO be head of the arts
tocrats of Europe. He was extravagan
in his threats against the French Revo!u
| tionists. He declared that he would owe
throw everything. exterminate everythin!
f IN Paris, if the old government was no
Immediately restored. Poor prince! h
had in his own court personal enemies
. against whom he was not sufficiently OIL
his guard, and he was assassinated il
5 1892 at ball.
During the following years Sweden wa
disturbed by internal troubles, and act
ed quite secondary part in the war Q
Europe against France. At last. in 1910
the principal citizens, dissatisfied wit
: their old royal dynasty, took the strang
fancy to call to their head French gen
eral, lieutenant of Napoleon, "a man 0
obscure birth, BERNADoTTE. At hrs
, Napoleon was quite opposed to this ap
pointment. He was not fond of having
new kings proclaimed in Europe withou
his concurrence. He consented, howev
er, to Bernadotte's request, and let hin
20 to Sweden.
, Bernadotte still reigns. under the nam
of JOHN XIV. He is the oldest king up
, on the continent; being more than q
, years. A prince of an iron will OF
strong mind. he was able to keep hi
throne amidst the terrible conyulsion
which. in 1914, shook the earth TO it
) foundations. Far from connecting hi
fortune with. that of Napoleon, he joine,
{ the great coalition which vanqulsned tn
: Caesar of modern times. For this con
duct Rernadotte was violently reproach