dily pursued, and ultimately effected, | coast of Jutland, from Riba to Lemvig, the gradual and bloodless amelioration is principally alluvial, and presents of his country. His name will ever much greater advantages to the culti form a splendid epoch in the history of Denmark. The spirit of economical research and improvement which emanated from him still remains; while the personal character of the prince of Denmark, and the zeal with which he seconded the projects of his favourite minister, seem to afford a guarantee for the continuation of the same system of administration.

In his analysis of the present state of Denmark, Mr. Catteau, after a slight historical sketch of that country, di- | vides his subjects into sixteen sections.

1. Geographical and physical qualitics of the Danish territory: 2. Form of government: 3. Administration. 4. Institutions relative to government and administration : 5. Civil and criminal laws, and judiciary institutions: 6. Military system, land army, and marine: 7. Finance: 8. Population 9. Productive industry, comprehending agriculture, the fisheries, and the extraction of mineral substances: 10. Manufacturing industry: 11. Commerce, interior and exterior, including the state of the great roads, the canals of navigation, the maritime insurances, the bank, &c. &c.: 12. Establishments of charity and public utility: 13. Religion: 14. Education: 15. Language, character, manners, and customs: 16. Sciences and arts.-This division we shall follow.

From the southern limits of Holstein to the southern extremity of Norway, the Danish dominions extend to 300 miles in length, and are, upon an average, from about 50 to 60 in breadth; the whole forms an area of about 8000 square miles. The western

The mile alluded to here, and through the whole of the book, is the Danish mile,

15 to a degree, or 4000 toises in round numbers: the ancient mile of Norway is much more considerable.-It may be as well to

mention here, that the Danes reckon their money by rixdollars, marks, and schellings. A rixdollar contains 6 marks, and a mark 16 schellings; 20 schellings are equal to one livre; consequently the pound sterling is equal to 4 r. 4 m. 14 sch., or nearly 5 rixdollars.

vator than he has yet drawn from it. The eastern coast is also extremely favourable to vegetation. A sandy and barren ridge, stretching from north to south, between the two coasts, is unfavourable to every species of culture, and hardly capable of supporting the wild and stunted shrubs which languish upon its surface. Towards the north, where the Jutland peninsula terminates in the Baltic, everything assumes an aspect of barrenness and desolation. It is Arabia, without its sun or its verdant islands; but not without its tempests or sands, which sometimes overwhelm what little feeble agriculture they may encounter, and convert the habitual wretchedness of the Jutlanders into severe and cruel misfortune. The Danish government has attempted to remedy this evil, in some measure, by encourag ing the cultivation of those kinds of shrubs which grow on the sea-shore, and by their roots give tenacity and aggregation to the sand. The Elymus Arenaria, though found to be the most useful for that purpose, is still inadequate to the prevention of the calamity.*

The Danish isles are of a green and pleasant aspect. The hills are turfed up to the top, or covered with trees; the valley animated by the passage of clear streams; and the whole strikingly contrasted with the savage sterility, or imposing grandeur, of the scenes on the opposite coast of Jutland. All the seas of Denmark are well stored with fish; and a vast number of deep friths and inlets afford a cheap and valuable communication with the interior of the country.

The Danish rivers are neither numerous nor considerable. The climate, generally speaking, is moist and subject to thick fogs, which almost obscure the horizon. Upon a mean of twenty. six years, it has rained for a hundred and thirty days every year, and thun

There is a Danish work, by Professor Viborg, upon those plants which grow in sand. It has been very actively distributed in Jutland, by the Danish administration, and might be of considerable service in Norfolk, and other parts of Great Britain.

CI

The

dered for thirteen. Their summer | tions of rational liberty by the wise rebegins with June and ends with Sep- strictions imposed upon its returning tember. A calm serene sky, and an Monarch, the people of Denmark, by atmosphere free from vapours, is very a solemn act, surrendered their natural rarely the lot of the inhabitants of rights into the hands of their Sovereign, Denmark; but the humidity with which endowed him with absolute power, the air is impregnated is highly fa- and, in express words, declared him, vourable to vegetation; and all kinds for all his political acts, accountable of corn and grass are cultivated there only to Him to whom all kings and with great success. To the south of governors are accountable. This revoDenmark are the countries of Sleswick lution, similar to that effected by the and Holstein. Nature has divided King and people at Stockholm in 1772, these countries into two parts; the one was not a change from liberty to of which is called Geetsland, the other slavery; but from a worse sort of Marschland. Geetsland is the elevated slavery to a better; from the control round situated along the Baltic. The of an insolent and venal senate, to that sal resembles that of Denmark. The of one man; it was a change which simdivision of Marschland forms a band plified their degradation, and, by lesar stripe, which extends from the Elbe sening the number of their tyrants, to the frontiers of Jutland, an alluvium put their servitude more out of sight. gained and preserved from the sea, by There ceased immediately to be an alabour which, though vigilant and arbitrary monarch in every parish, and Tere, is repaid by the most ample the distance of the oppressor either profts. The sea, however, in all these operated as a diminution of the oppresalarial countries, seldom forgets his sion, or was thought to do so. riginal rights. Marschland, in the same spirit, to be sure, which urged midst of all its tranquillity, fat, and them to victory over one evil might alence, was invaded by this element in have led them on a little further to the the year 1634, with the loss of whole subjugation of both; and they might ges, many thousands of horned have limited the King by the same Cate, and 1500 human beings. powers which enabled them to dissolve Nature is as wild and grand in Nor-the senate. But Europe, at that period, way as she is productive in Marsch- knew no more of liberty than of Galand Cataracts amid the dark pines; vanism; and the peasants of Denthe eternal snow of the mountains; mark no more dreamed of becoming eas that bid adieu to the land, and free, than the inhabitants of Paris do stretch out to the end of the world; at this moment. endless succession of the great and At present, Denmark is in theory the terrible,-leave the eye and the one of the most arbitrary governments mind without repose. The climate of on the face of the earth. It has reNorway is extremely favourable to mained so ever since the revolution to the longevity of the human race, and which we have just alluded; in all Pufficiently so to the life of many ani- which period the Danes have not, by mais domesticated by man. The horses any important act of rebellion, evinced are of a good breed; the horned cattle an impatience of their yoke, or any excellent, though small. Crops of sense that the enormous power delerain are extremely precarious, and gated to their monarchs has been imeen perish before they come to matu- properly exercised. In fact, the Danish government enjoys great reputation 1660, the very year in which this for its forbearance and mildness; and appier country was laying the founda- sanctifies, in a certain degree, its exeWe shall take little notice of Iceland in with which it is administered. We rethe view, from the attention we mean to to that subject in the review of "Voyage gret extremely that Mr. Catteau has leland, fait par ordre de sa Majesté given us, upon this curious subject of the

crable constitution, by the moderation

Danish government, such a timid and

3.

sterile dissertation. Many govern- | which concern privileges in litigation, ments are despotic in law, which are and the different degrees of authority not despotic in fact; not because they belonging to various public bodies. It are restrained by their own modera- watches over the interests of church tion, but because, in spite of their theo- and poor issues patents, edicts, grants, retical omnipotence, they are com- letters of naturalisation, legitimacy, pelled, in many important points, to and nobility. The archives of the respect either public opinion or the state are also under its custody. The opinion of other balancing powers, German chancelry has the same powers which without the express recognition and privileges in Sleswick and Holof law, have gradually sprung up in stein, which are fiefs of the empire. the state. Russia, and Imperial Rome, There is a college for foreign affairs; had its prætorian guards. Turkey has two colleges of finance; and a college its uhlema. Public opinion almost of economy and commerce; which, always makes some exceptions to its divided into four parts, directs its atblind and slavish submission; and in tention to four objects: 1. Manufacbowing its neck to the foot of a sultan, turing industry: 2. Commerce = stipulates how hard he shall tread. Productions: 4. Possessions in the The very fact of enjoying a mild go- East Indies. All projects and specuvernment for a century and a half must, lations, relative to any of these objects, in their own estimation, have given are referred to this college; and every the Danes a sort of right to a mild go- encouragement given to the prosecuvernment. Ancient possession is a tion of such as it may chance to apgood title in all cases; and the King prove. There are two other colleges, of Denmark may have completely lost which respectively manage the army the power of doing many just and and navy. The total number is nine. many unjust actions, from never having exercised it in particular instances. What he has not done for so long a period, he may not dare to do now; and he may in vain produce constitutional parchments, abrogated by the general feelings of those whom they were intended to control. Instead of any information of this kind, the author of the Tableau has given us at full length the constitutional act of 1660, and has afforded us no other knowledge than we could procure from the most vulgar histories; as if state papers were the best place to look for constitutions, and as if the rights of king and people were really adjusted, by the form and solemnity of covenant and pacts; by oaths of allegiance, or oaths of coronation.

The King has his privy council, to which he names whom he pleases, with the exception of the heir apparent, and the princes of the blood, who sit there of right. It is customary, also, that the heads of colleges should sit there. These colleges are the offices in which the various business of the state is carried on. The chancelry of Denmark interprets all laws

The Court of Denmark is on a footing of great simplicity. The pomp introduced by Christian IV., who modelled his establishments after those of Louis XIV., has been laid aside, and a degree of economy adopted, much more congenial to the manners of the people, and the resources of the country. The hereditary nobility of Denmark may be divided into those of the ancient, those of the modern fiefs, and the personal nobility. The first class are only distinguished from the second by the more extensive privileges annexed to their fiefs; as it has been the policy of the Court of Denmark, in latter times, not to grant such immunities to the possessors of noble lands as had been accorded to them at earlier periods. Both of these classes, however, derive their nobility from their estates, which are inalienable, and descend according to the laws of primogeniture. nobility derives from the person, and not from the estate. To prevent the female noblesse from marrying beneath their rank, and to preserve the dignity of their order, nine or ten Protestant nanneries have been from time to time

In the third class,

endowed, in each of which about is to the Hoieste Rett, or supreme twelve noble women are accommo- court, fixed at Copenhagen, which is dated, who, not bound by any vow, occupied for nine months in the year, find in these societies an economical and composed, half of noble, half of and elegant retirement. The nobility plebeian judges. This is the only triof Norway have no fiefs. The nobility bunal in which the advocates plead of Holstein and Sleswick derive their vivâ voce; in all the others, litigation nobility from their fiefs, and are pos- is carried on by writing. The King sessed of very extensive privileges takes no cognisance of pecuniary suits Everything which concerns their com- determined by this court, but reserves mon interests is discussed in a conven- to himself a revision of all its sentences tion held periodically in the town of which affect the life or honour of the Kiel; during the vacations of the con- subject. It has always been the policy vention, there is a permanent deputa- of the Court of Denmark to render tion resident in the same town. Inter-justice as cheap as possible. We ests so well watched by the nobles should have been glad to have learnt themselves, are necessarily respected from Mr. Catteau, whether or not the by the Court of Denmark. The same cheapness of justice operates as an eninstitution of free nunneries for the female nobility prevails in these provinces. Societies of this sort might perhaps be extended to other classes, and to other countries, with some utility. The only objection to a nunnery is, that those who change their mind cannot change their situation. That a number of unmarried females should collect together into one mass, and subject themselves to some few rules of convenience, is a system which might afford great resources and accommodation to a number of helpless individuals, without proving injurious to the community; unless, indeed, any very timid statesman shall be alarmed at the progress of celibacy, and imagine that the increase and multiplication of the human race may become a mere antiquated habit.

The lowest courts in Denmark are composed of a judge and a secretary, both chosen by the landed proprietors within the jurisdiction, but confirmed by the King, in whose name all their proceedings are carried on. These courts have their sessions once a week in Denmark, and are attended by four or five burgesses or farmers, in the capacity of assessors, who occasionally give their advice upon subjects of which their particular experience may entitle them to judge. From this jurisdiction there is appeal to a higher court, held every month in different places in Denmark, by judges paid by the Crown. The last appeal for Norway and Denmark

couragement to litigation; and whether (which we believe is most commonly the case) the quality of Danish justice is not in the ratio of the price. But this gentleman, as we have before remarked, is so taken up by the formal part of institutions, that he has neither leisure, nor inclination, to say much of their spirit. The Tribunal of Conciliation, established since 1795, is composed of the most intelligent and respectable men in the vicinage, and its sessions are private. It is competent to determine upon a great number of civil questions; and if both parties agree to the arrangement proposed by the court, its decree is registered, and has legal authority. If the parties cannot be brought to agreement by the amicable interference of the mediators, they are at full liberty to prosecute their suit in a court of justice. All the proceedings of the Tribunal of Conciliation are upon unstamped paper, and they cannot be protracted longer than fifteen days in the country, and eight days in the towns, unless both parties consent to a longer delay. The expenses, which do not exceed three shillings, are not payable, but in case of reconciliation. During the three years preceding this institution, there came before the courts of law, 25,521 causes; and, for the three years following, 9653, making the astonishing difference of fifteen thousand eight hundred and sixty-three lawsuits. The idea of this court was taken from

the Dutch, among whom it likewise | satisfactory to the justice of the country, produced the most happy effects. And has a right to require that it be adopted; when we consider what an important whoever cannot, must remain in prison. point it is, that there should be time It is a principle that should never be for disputants to cool, the strong pro- lost sight of, that an accused person is bability there is, that four or five im- presumed to be innocent; and that no partial men from the vicinage will other vexation should be imposed upon take a right view of the case, and the him than what is absolutely necessary reluctance that any man must feel to for the purposes of future investigation. embark his reputation and property in The imprisonment of a poor man, beopposition to their opinion, we cannot cause he cannot find bail, is not a graentertain a doubt of the beauty and tuitous vexation, but a necessary seveimportance of the invention. It is rity; justified only, because no other, hardly possible that it should be bad nor milder mode of security can, in that justice which satisfies both parties, and particular instance, be produced. this species of mediation has no va- Inquisitorial and penal torture is, in lidity but upon such condition. It is some instances, allowed by the laws of curious, too, to remark, how much the Denmark: the former, after having progress of rancour obstructs the na- been abolished, was re-established in tural sense of justice; it appears that 1771. The corporations have been plaintiff and defendant were both satis-gradually and covertly attacked in fied in 15,868 causes: if all these causes Denmark, as they have been in Great had come on to a regular hearing, and Britain. The peasants, who had bethe parties been inflamed by the ex- fore been attached to the soil, were pense and the publicity of the quarrel, gradually enfranchised between 1788 we doubt if there would have been and 1800; so that, on the first day of one single man out of the whole num- the latter year, there did not remain a ber who would have acknowledged single slave in the Danish dominions; that his cause was justly given against or, to speak more correctly, slavery was him. equalised among all ranks of people. We need not descant on the immense importance of this revolution; and if Mr. Catteau had been of the same opinion, we should have been spared two pages of very bad declamation; beginning, in the true French style, with "oh toi," and going on with what might be expected to follow such a beginning.

There are some provisions in the criminal law of Denmark, for the personal liberty of the subject, which cannot be of much importance, so long as the dispensing power is vested in the Crown; however, though they are not much, they are better than nothing; and have probably some effect in of fences merely criminal, where the passions and interests of the governors do not interfere. Mr. Catteau considers the law which admits the accused to bail, upon finding proper security, to be unjust, because the poor cannot avail themselves of it. But this is bad reasoning; for every country has a right to impose such restrictions and liens upon the accused, that they shall be forthcoming for trial; at the same time, those restrictions are not to be number of farmers are what the French more severe than the necessity of the call Metayers, put in by the landlord, case requires. The primary and most furnished with stock and seed at his obvious method of security is imprison-expense, and repaying him in product, ment. Whoever can point out any labour, or any other manner agreed other method of effecting the same ob- on in the contract. This is the first, ject, less oppressive to himself and as or lowest stage of tenantry, and is the

The great mass of territorial proprietors in Denmark are the signiors, possessing fiefs with very extensive privileges and valuable exemptions from taxes. Many persons hold land under these proprietors, with interests in the land of very different descriptions. There are some cultivators who possess freeholds, but the number of these is very inconsiderable. The greater