The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-03-17
From the French Of Prosper Meryimce.
Vision of Charles XII.

From the French Of Prosper Merrimee.
Vision of Charles XI
There moro things in hcavn and earth, Horato,
Than arc drcampt of i'll your philosophy.
SHAKsPEARE, HAMLET.
We ridicule visions and supernatural
apparitlons; some, nevertheless. are so we'll
authenticated, that, if one should refuse 10
believe them, he would be obliged, as
natural consequence, to reject en- massc all
historical evidence
A process rerbal in the customary form,
attested by the signatures of four credible
witnesses, is my guaranty for the authenti-
city OF the fact which am about to relate.
l will add, that the prediction contained in
the 2roccs UcrbaL was known and cited
very long time before the events, which
have transpired in g latter age, had appear
cd to accomplish it.
Charles XII, father of the famous Charles
XII, was one of the most despotic, and at
the same time one Of the wisest monarchs
who had ever governed Sweden. He re-
strictcd the overweening privileges of the
nobility, abolished the power of the senate,
and made laws by his own authority :. in a
word he changed the constitution Of his coun-
try, which had previously been an oligarchy.
and obliged the States to confine to him the
absolute authority. He was moreover an
enlightened man, strongl gly attached to the
Lutheran religion, brave and ola character
cold, inhexible, positive and entirely desti-
tute of Imagination. He had Just lost his
wife, Ulrica Elenora. Although his harsh
ness to this princes had, it is said, hastened
her end, he esteemed her, and appeared
more affected at her death than one would
have expected OF heart as cold as his.
After this event he became still more
gloomy and taciturn than before, and devo-
ted himself to toll, with an application which
denoted an imperious necessity Of dispelling
painful thoughts.
At the close of an evening in autumn he
| was seated in his robe de chan,bre before a
huge fire, kindled in his cabinet. in the
palace of Stockholm. His chamberlain was
with him, the Count Brahe, whom he homo
! red with his favor, and the physician
Baumgarten, who set up for free thinker,
and wished that people should doubt of ev-
cry thing except medicine. This evening
he was present to be consulted on some
sligh, indisposition. 1t grew late, and the
king contrary to his custom, did not signify
10 them by the usual " Good night" that it
was time to retire. With head bent low
and eyes, fixed full upon the fire. he pre-
served profound silence, weary ofhis COM
pany, yet fearing without knowing WHY,
to be left alone. Count Brahe perceived
that hfspresence was not very agreeable,
and yentured to express, this fear that His
Majesty might need repose; gesture Of
the king retained him in his place. The
physician in his turn spoke of the injury
which watchings do the health !; but Charles
replied to him between his teeth 60 STAY,
| have no desire to sleep yet" Then they
essayed different subjects of conversation,
all Of which became exhausted at the second
or thi'd phrase. 1t appeared evident that
his Majesty was in one of his dark moods;
apd, OF such a.period. the position of a cour.
tier is very delicate. Count Brahe, sus.
pecting that the sadness of the king p,rocee.
ded from his regret for the loss of his wife,
regardedfo some time the portrait of the
Queen suspended in, the, cabinet, then cried
with deep sigh. How striking is this
portrait Behold that expression at the
same time so majestic and so sweet r-
Bah" l"Hreplied tho King, who thought he
heard reproach whenever they pronounc-
ed before him the name, of the Queen
This portrait is too ,fattering: the Queen
was homely." Then, inwardly sorrowing
for his. harshness, arose and made turn
in the apartmentsto conceal an emotion at
which he blnshed. He, stopped before, the
window which overlooked the court
The night was dark and the moon in her
first quarter. zl.'o E
The palace where the kings ofsweden
lnoWreside was not yet finished, and Charles
| XI, who had commenced il, then inhabited
the old palace, situated at the point Of Rit-
terholm which oYerlooks lake MaIer III is
dns siitdmenes buiId ling, ia the form of horss.
shoe. The cabinet sofs the King Was ati one
|aslyemisy, and :nearIy opposite iWasthe great
i,all u which the States asssamble when