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he takes a circleDalecarlian who
We have ohfervcd that the Prince dines on Thurfdays in publicround the ream both before and after dinner. We law one dayhad placed himfelf behind every one ; the young Prince perceiving and recognizinghim on account of his charaderiftic drefs, made way through the crowd, and comingup, took him by the hand and convcrfed with him for fome minutes. As foon as hequitted him, we perceived this man affected by fuch a mark of condefcenfion, fall backto the window and died tears of delight; on this occafion we made reflection, which everyone has done a thoufand times before, of how little it colts princes to be beloved, howmuch the flighted kindnefs in them is valued, and confequently how guilty, or ill ad-vifed they muff be, where they fail of procuring for themfelves a pl'eafure fo gratifyingand fo eafy, as the bldfmgs of the lowed clafs of their fubjeds. Guftavus III. enjoysthis happinefs,.and his fon follows his fteps : he cannot have a better guide; too youngas yet to calculate upon the advantage of being cherifhed by his people, a day perhapsmay come, when he will perceive the value of their affedion for him. He is called toreign over a free people, and will learn from his father not to fuffer this liberty to en-creafe at the expence of his own ; like him will he unite courage with prudence, and thatproportion of policy neceffary to a throne, railed within t’nefe few years on the wreck ofariliocracy, and we dare to prognodicate he will fiourifh; befides he will have the ad-vantage of having ftudied under an excellent mafter, and thus be enabled to fix thatirrefolution of the mind natural in a matter of fuch ferious confequence.
That this article was written before the King’s death, will be evident; we were farfrom imagining that fuch an atrocious crime would fo fhortly deprive the Prince Royalof a fupport and counfellor fo neceffary for him : what was yet far more difficult for usto forelee, w’as that fuch an abominable adion would meet with its defenders.
Suppers of the Court. The King gives a fupper at lead twice, and frequently threetimes a week ; on opera nights in the opera chamber ; the other days at the cadle orHaga. Foreigners admitted to his company are condantly invited. The King is featedbetween two ladies mod commonly at one end of the table. At Haga you do not weara fword, but mud always be either full dreffed, or in uniform, the fame as in the city.In the fummer time, a part of which the King fpends at Haga, he invites foreigners iike-wife to dine with him, which invitation is generally for the whole day. In order to beentitled to dine with His Majedy, it is requidte for a Swede that he fhould at lead be aLieutenant-Colonel, The King indeed, foinetimes admits young people to this honour,who are not of fiuch high rank, but this is edeemed a fpecial favour. As for the King’sdippers they are without ceremony, even when the royal family is prefent, which is fre-quently the cafe at the opera; the Queen and Princedes feating themfelves at the middleof the table without didindion. You are waited upon by pages, the principal ones atthe King’s table are officers, and bear as fuch a didindive mark, (a handkerchief tiedround the arm,) as is the cafe with the chief page of the Duchefs of Sudermania, andthe King’s dder.
The two Princedes each give a fupper once a week, at which foreigners, who havebeen once admitted, require no invitation : they play at quinze ; there is alfo a loto, atwhich you may game very low, if fo difpofed.
The education of the pages is much negleded, at the King’s table they wait oh everyone, thofe who are officers only excepted, who wait on none but the Princes. Thefelatter have none of their own.
You take your leave feverally of all the court, conduded by the minider of yournation.