The Danes and the Swedes: being an account of a visit to Denmark ... with a peep into Jutland, and a journey across the Peninsula of Sweden

Preface

. The kind reception given by reviewers and the public to his volume entitled " The Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Crimea," induced the Author to look over his notes taken during a visit to Scan dinavia, and, after adding other valuable matter, to arrange the whole in the present form for publication. By avoiding minute notices of uninteresting facts and passing over trivial incidents of travel — neither indulging in long descriptions of localities nor plunging deeply into statistics — the Author trusts that, without inflicting dry details upon the reader, the following pages will be found to contain much information on the present state and past history of Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, and Sweden ; on their physical peculiarities, and on those archæological remains that form a link

PREFACE.

. VI between their present inhabitants and the race which existed in them a thousand years before the birth of Christ. There is a wild romance about the history of these Northern regions, that rivals even those thrilling annals of the East to which so many readers fly for excitement or amusement. Indeed no countries are richer in stirring legends, in heroic actions, or in tragic deeds, than Denmark and Sweden. The Author has met with no book of travels through the Danish Islands by the route he took, save always that invaluable companion and friend to all travellers in Europe, a volume of " Murray's Hand Books." For some interesting information on the mili tary, social, commercial, and industrial state of the Scandinavian countries up to the present date, the Author is indebted to the volumes of the " Revue des deux Mondes, Annuaire," and " La Baltique," a charming work by M. le Due, published a few months since in Paris. January 22ml, 1856. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Heligoland. The Elbe and Hamburgh. A holy monk. A Russian lover. Altona. Unbecoming costume - - Page 1 CHAP. II. Kiel. A revolution. Progress of revolution. Friendship and jealousy. Fighting students and excited professors. A ducal palace and shaded walks. Unnecessary precautions - - - 12 CHAP. III. Character of the Holsteiners. An old castle, and Rendsburg. Gottorp Castle, and Schleswig. Introduction of Christianity. A philanthropist. Flensburg and its scenery. Absence of poverty. The cigarette and the narguile - - - -25 CHAP. IV. The land of the Angles. An uncomfortable shave. Universal education. The Marien Kirche of Hadersleben. The Little Belt and its associations. Odense tbe town and Odin the god. The northern Skalds. An important speech - - - - 40 CHAP. V. The prince and the ape. A royal monster.

A great reformer. Exploits of the Vikings. The value of time. A sorrowful change. A dreamy evening. A wonderful bishop - - -54 CONTENTS. VIII CHAP. VI. Roeskilde, its Cathedral and historical associations. The King and the priest. The Dutch artist and Italian sculptor. Royal monuments. Tomb of Margaret, Queen of Denmark. A mysterious case. Arrival at Copenhagen ----- Page 69 CHAP. VH. Copenhagen. Effect of genius. A perilous drive. Nelson, Gambier, and Wellington. Tivoli Gardens. A mania of despotic sovereigns. Danish artists. The Ethnographical Museum, Curious weapons. Nocturnal visit to a savage tribe. Man's progress in art - 79 CHAP. VIII. Copenhagen continued. Commercial prosperity. The Castle of Rosenborg. Everlasting friendship. Interesting objects. The King and the astronomer. The end of a sorrowful tale - - 99 CHAP. IX.

Jutland. Fredericia. A disagreeable drive to Veile. Contests with the Church of Rome. An imaginative postboy. Colding and Snoghoi. A pleasing welcome. Winning scenery and gentle thoughts. A sudden squall and narrow escape • - - 112 CHAP. X. Langeland Island. An ambitious noble. Isles of Laaland and Falster. Farming in Falster. A sleepy household. The two graces. Agriculture in Denmark. Absence of poverty. General sobriety. Arbitration courts - .... 129 CHAP. XL Religious toleration. Irregular religious movement. Sunday amusements. Grave questions. The press and literature. University of Copenhagen. Secondary instruction. Primary instruction. Excruciating perambulations ----- CONTENTS. IX CHAP. XII. Island of Amac. The royal navy. Danish policy. A loss to the nation a national gain. An excursion in Zealand.

Fredericksborg Castle. The Riddar-saal. The Danish Sovereign. Arboreal beauty ----.. page 166 CHAP. XIH. Elsineur. Hamlet. Cronsberg Castle. Origin of the Sound dues. Revenue from the Sound dues. The impost sanctioned, by Europe. A fast country. Denmark's difficulty - - - 182 CHAP. xrv. Northern antiquities. The " Stone Age." Physical changes in Denmark. Cromlechs and Giants' Chambers. Supposed uses of cromlechs. Similar remains in other countries. - - 196 CHAP. XV. The "Bronze Age." Holy rings. Mode of burial. Teutonic and Druidic mythologies. Bronze weapons and ornaments. The "Iron Age.'' Golden ornaments. Early Christian period. Later Christian period ------- 207 CHAP. XVI, Thorvaldsen's museum. The power of genius. Thorvaldsen lives in in his works. The sculptor's early career. His fame and his love 224 CHAP XVII.

Leave Denmark for Sweden. Reach the Swedish coast. Gottenburg. A nail in the eye. A favourable omen: Trade of Gottenburg. The Gottenburghers. Educational establishments. Commerce of Sweden. Population and agriculture. Swedish heroines CONTENTS. X CHAP. XVIII. The Gotha Elf. Ruins of Bohus Castle. A baron and a count. The falls of Trollhatta. Legends of Trollhatta. What's in a name ? Wenersburg - - - - - - Page 253 CHAP. XIX The Wenern Lake. Twilight's charms. The Wettern Lake. The Douglas. An interesting discovery. Saint Olaf a Viking. A patriotic noble. A rare phenomenon - 267 CHAP. XX. The Malar Lake. Stockholm, Rome, and Stamboul. Streets of the Swedish capital. A beautiful palace. Statues and obelisk. Charming position of Stockholm. Dalecarlian maidens - - 283 CHAP. XXI. Fine arts' collections.

Royal library. An interesting church. Armoured knights. Fortune's favoured child. A comparison 297 CHAP. XXII. The Riddarhus. Swedish nobility. The " Diet" of Sweden. The order of the clergy. Religious intolerance. A threatened schism. National education. The order of the peasants - - 308 CHAP. XXIII. The universities. Military education. Beauty and frailty. A great feudal chief. Castle of Gripsholm. Eric the XIV. and John. Gustavus IV. Palace of Rosendal. The bridal wreath - - 325 CHAP. XXIV. The summer camp. The Swedish soldier. The army. Political parties. Proposed Scandinavian kingdom. The duty of Europe CONTENTS. XI towards the North. The Swedish navy. Family influences. Dances and drunkenness. Ardent spirits ... Pa<re 342 CHAP. XXV. Arrival of a bride elect. Popular joy. A wedding-day.

A royal marriage. The theatre and its associations. A tragedy. Jenny Lind. National dances - 360 CHAP. XXVI. A presentation to the royal family. A Court Ball. King Oscar. The Queen Dowager. Military spectacle. Military religious service. Swedish literature. Sweden a land of romance -

CHAPTER I.

r HELIGOLAND. THE ELBE AND HAMBUKGH. — A HOLY MONK. — A RUSSIAN LOVER. — ALTONA UNBECOMING COSTUME. After visiting all the principal towns of Belgium and Holland, we embarked at Amsterdam for Hamburg on the 30th of April, 1850. The steamer was slow, the weather was boisterous, and as we lay in the narrow berth prostrate with exhaustion, breathing a vile atmosphere impregnated with the effluvium of bilge water, and feeling half suffocated from the total absence of ventilation, we had ample time, during the first twenty-four hours of the voyage, to think over the many personal inconveniences and disagreeables entailed by a love of travelling. We had just reasoned ourself into the belief that the man possessing a large organ of inhabitiveness, who sticks with unchanging tenacity to one quiet locality, floating B down the smooth stream of life unruffled and undisturbed by that wild excitement which sways the enthusiastic traveller when in motion — that intense longing after new scenes, and fresh incidents when at rest — is, after all, the happier mortal of the two, when, early on the morning of the 2nd of May, we were informed that the Island of Heligoland was just visible in the distance.

All discom forts were forgotten on this announcement, all sober re flections vanished ; we rushed to the deck, turned our eyes in the direction indicated, and beheld a dark speck that broke the clear line of the horizon. Is that spot all which now remains of the once much larger Helg-land, or Holy Isle, whereon was celebrated, in remote ages, the mysterious worship of the Goddess Hertha, the Mother of Earth, adored by the ancient Ger mans ? On which temples were subsequently erected to Jupiter, Mars, Vesta, and a divinity called Fosta, or Phoseta ; and where, after the introduction of Christianity, arose monasteries and churches, royal citadels, and palaces ? It is ! but heathen temples, Christian altars, and regal strongholds, have long since disappeared, and the surging waters now roar over those sites, once stained with the blood of human sacrifices — those spots whence rose to wards heaven the solemn chant of cowled monk, or the boisterous revelry of mailed warrior.

This encroachment of the sea has been rapid, and is still continuing, so we may fairly presume that the whole island will be swal lowed up before many more centuries have passed away. We reached the mouth of the Elbe about eight in the morning, but as yet could see no land on either side, and nothing but the turbid waters indicated our having entered THE ELBE AND HAMBURGH. 3 that noble river which takes its rise in the giant mountains of Bohemia and Silesia, more than seven hundred miles from its embouchure. At length the land came into view, fertile on the Hanoverian bank, where the trees were clothed with the young, fresh foliage of spring; while the Holstein side appeared monotonous and uninteresting, at times even dreary. After passing the town of Gliickstadt, however, an agreeable change was observed; smiling villas peeped from the midst of gardens and trees — quiet retreats, where the wealthy Hamburghers endeavour to forget, in the charms of Flora, their adoration of Mammon.

The tall spire of St. Michael's church could be seen, long before we reached Hamburgh, shooting with grace and beauty into the sky ; and on approaching nearer, the taper masts of numberless vessels showed out in distinct lines on the face of a clear firmament ; while, on entering the harbour, the last glowing rays of the setting gun fell on the surrounding buildings, imparting to their varied architecture a light and picturesque effect. There reigned in the streets, on landing, a degree of quietness which rendered it difficult to believe we stood within the precincts of that great mart wherein are stored the products of all nations, and which is peopled by a hundred and thirty thousand souls, nearly all engaged in, or dependent upon, commerce. Nor was the feeling sub sequently removed, for Hamburgh, when compared to commercial towns of importance in England, is tranquil and quiet in the extreme.

This is accounted for by the circumstance of all merchandise being moved about in boats on canals which intersect the town, so that the B streets are free from drays, carts, and other vehicles, with their attendant noise and movement. It was only on the following day when the hour for opening the Borse approached, and every avenue leading to it became filled with an unbroken stream of men wending their way to the great centre of business, that we fully realised the fact of being in the midst of one of the most active and persevering communities of the world, — in the greatest and most opulent of those cities that once formed the Hanseatic League, which exercised such a powerful influence over the political and moral condition of Europe during the Middle Ages. Good fortune led us to the Hotel de l'Europe, in which we took up quarters during our sojourn in Hamburgh, and a more comfortable, well-conducted establishment, it would be impossible to find.

The building is of great size, but is one only of a number of enormous hotels situated on the Jungfernstieg, and overlooking the beau tiful lake of Alster. These hotels have all been built since the great fire, and, from their size and architectural beauty, form a striking feature of the place, which pos sesses but few public buildings of sufficient external attractions to claim the notice of the passing stranger. The Borse, however, is a noble pile, and worthy of the city. We entered it during the hours of business, and ascending to the gallery, looked down upon the living mass that surged about like the waves of a troubled sea, while a thousand voices mingled their discordant sounds, which ascended to the lofty roof, and came rolling back upon the ear loud as the deafening roar of a railway train when tearing madly through a tunnel.

It was curious to A HOLT MONK. 5 mark upon the various countenances but one prevailing expression; one thought alone possessed that multitude, — the desire of gain. There is no city in Europe presenting greater contrasts than Hamburgh. Step from the modern to the ancient part, and you are suddenly transferred from the present day to the Middle Ages ; but there are left no buildings of an early date which are grand or imposing, though the quaint street architecture is often bizarre or picturesque in the extreme ; the very dilapidation of parts contributing in no slight degree to produce this effect. All vestiges of that monastery founded by Anchaire, or St. Anscarius, a pious French monk, in the middle of the ninth century, and of the citadel, previously erected by Charlemagne, have long since disappeared, yet it was beneath their protecting wings that a small village first sprang up, which formed the nucleus of this great and prosperous city.

St. Anscarius was endowed with an intellect in advance of his age, while he possessed a perseverance and an enthusiasm in propagating the tenets of Christianity which no obstacles could check. He pushed his way into Denmark, penetrated to the heart of Sweden, did not hesitate to preach the Gospel to those nations which still offered up human beings as the most agreeable sacrifices to their god Odin, who still believed that the only certain title for admission to the everlasting joys of " Valhalla " was by dying, sword in hand, upon the battle field ; or — in the event of escaping this ardently desired death, — by throwing themselves from the summit of a precipice so high that their destruction was certain. n In spite of strong veneration for their own gods, the gods of their fathers; in spite of their detestation of Christianity, the religion of their enemies; in spite of privation, insult, and danger, St. Anscarius went per severingly and undauntedly on, until he succeeded in gaining the ears of the Danish and Swedish kings, disposed them to listen to his words of beneficent truth, and thus sowed the germs of that religion which shortly after wards superseded a sensual worship, a revolting idolatry.

Thus the ground on which Hamburgh new stands has a thousand years of hallowed memory, as the spot whence journeyed forth those missionaries who converted Scan dinavia, which had continued pagan so many centuries after the introduction of Christianity into other parts of Europe. The houses of the rich merchants of Hamburgh are said to be luxuriously fitted up internally, and to contain some choice pictures ; but there exists no city of such size, wealth, and importance which displays to the stranger so few works of art possessing high merit, whether in architecture, sculpture, or painting. There is an indifferent Museum ; but everything which has a tendency to cultivate the public taste, or elevate the intellect, appears to languish beneath the all-absorbing influence of money making. Nor does literature of the best class here find a fruitful soil ; the charms of the table, the pursuit of dissipation, and the pleasures of the theatre, are the chief attractions when the cares of business are thrown aside : so that Hamburgh is celebrated for sumptuous dinners; is notorious for a number of public ball-rooms, the resorts of the licentious ; ancl boasts the possession of one of the A RUSSIAN LOVER. 7 largest theatres in Germany.

There are, however, some noble charities, which are supported on a most liberal scale, and not only " cover a multitude of sins," but do infinite credit to the Hamburghers. We wandered through the cemetery outside the town ; it was in good order, but we were astonished to see in the adjoining grave to an open one, coffin after coffin piled up until within a foot of the surface ; and as those about to be deposited would touch the sides of their neighbours, — supposing this to be the usual arrangement, — there must exist a great mass of coffins having scarcely any earth between or above them. We met at the table d'hote a young Russian merchant, who spoke broken English, and displayed great anxiety to make us his confidant. He had a singular habit of mixing up business with sentiment, and never failed to introduce the name of his lady-love into conversations on his commercial transactions.

On one occasion he drew a miniature of the fair one from his bosom, and called upon our gallantry to pronounce an opinion on the beauty of the original. His eyes sparkled with delight, and his countenance radiated so much pleasure, that we could not find it in our heart to give an adverse opinion of his idol's charms, though we could see nothing in her likeness to warrant a rapturous admiration. We were however somewhat shocked on ascertaining that this devoted lover thought quite as much about business as his approaching nuptials, for he confidentially told us that he intended to marry only when he could find time. Our ties to Hamburgh were even less strong than the Russian's to his love. We might have devoted a longer B period to the place had there been nothing better to do ; but as it gained no powerful hold on our affections, we quitted it without regret after two days' sojourn.

Leaving by the suburb of St. Paul, a few minutes' walk brought us to Altona, the largest and most important town of Holstein. It cannot claim so illustrious .an origin as its neighbour, nor boast ten centuries of antiquity. Consisting at first only of an insignificant fishing station, it is not two hundred years since Altona had the dignified rank of a town conferred upon it by Frederick III. ; but it has gradually increased, and now possesses a population of thirty thousand souls. Close to Hamburgh, and threatening to become a rival in commerce, Altona could not fail to excite the jealousy and hatred of its powerful and wealthy neighbour ; it therefore early became, and continued for a long time, the object of contention between the Hamburghers and the Dukes of Holstein. It had, also, other days of mis fortune and vicissitude.

The intrepid Swedish general, Magnus Stenbock, after performing prodigies of valour, entered Altona — which had neither garrison nor fortifica tions — with his victorious army, entirely destroyed the place by fire in the month of January 1713, and by this barbarous act reduced its inhabitants to poverty and suffering, while he tarnished for ever his own, otherwise well-earned, reputation. Nor did Altona escape the general ravages of war at the beginning of this century, having suffered greatly from them in 1807. The inhabitants of Altona enjoy perfect freedom of religion ; and there are consequently no less than six edifices for the service of as many different Christian ALTONA. 9 sects, independent of two synagogues for the accommodation of the Jews, amounting to about two thousand in number.

The commercial quarter of the town, where all its life and activity are concentrated, extends along the right bank of the Elbe, the eastern end being so close to Hamburgh that the two appear from the river to constitute but one city. This proximity seems to have suggested the name of the place, All-to-nah, in the " patois " of the country, signifying " too near." The commerce of Altona is greater than that of any other port of the Duchies, and is steadily increasing ; the repeal of the Corn Laws in England, and the removal of restrictions on the importation of live stock, have given a great impetus to the trade of the place, and the railway between it and Kiel, branches from which must eventually be carried to all the principal towns in the Duchies, cannot fail to prove highly advantageous.

There are many manufactories, tanneries, distilleries, and breweries, the beer of Altona being considered superior to any other in the country. The town is free from customs' duties, and the inhabitants exempt from the burthen of having soldiers quartered in their dwellings, beside which they enjoy many other privileges. Among the public buildings are a fine Hotel de Ville, an Observatory, an Orphan Asylum, a Mint, and a College. There is not a good hotel in the place, but an excellent refreshment room at the railway-station supplies this desideratum to the traveller who is merely passing through. The streets removed from the business quarter are dull and lifeless ; we walked through the principal one, a kind of boulevard, with an avenue of trees on each side, but although it was a lovely day, scarcely a person was to be seen.

The houses of the wealthiest merchants are un pretending edifices, more distinguished for neatness and modesty than for taste or beauty. We left Altona for Kiel, by rail, in the afternoon. The terminus has a most creditable building, and everything was conducted at the station with order. The carriages are luxuriously and tastefully fitted up, while the second class, in comfort and propriety of arrangement, might be pronounced better than the first on most English lines. This is not, however, a singular instance of the superiority of foreign railway carriages over those of England, for every country in Europe claims the merit of being in advance of us in this respect, as well as in many of the regulations connected with passenger traffic. We can quite comprehend the desire of shareholders to obtain large dividends ; but the public also have claims that are fairly entitled to consideration, and amongst them may be mentioned a proper attention to cleanliness, in which point it is to be regretted that the English generally bear a very unfavourable comparison with foreign railway carriages.

The line to Kiel leads through a flat uninteresting country, there being scarcely a tree to relieve the general tameness. Large tracts of waste land are seen on either hand ; but that which has been reclaimed is well cultivated, and as draining with other improvements are actively going on, the greater part of the district in the vicinity of the railway will probably be brought under the plough in the course of a few years. UNBECOMING COSTUME. 11 The robust frames, cheerful countenances, and respect able clothing of the peasantry, indicate prosperity. The women are endowed with a large amount of " en bon point," the appearance of which is, perhaps, exaggerated by their unpicturesque costume, generally consisting of a short bed gown worn over the petticoat ; they, however, are scrupulously clean in their persons, and pretty faces are by no means rare among them.

On approaching Kiel a favourable change takes place in the country ; meadows and trees, scattered or in clusters, cover the slopes of undulating land, and the farm-houses become more numerous. At length the silver bosom of the Bay burst iuto sight, and there lay the diminutive fleet of Schleswig Holstein tranquilly reposing on its unruffled waters. But we had scarcely time to notice these inte resting objects ere the train arrived at the station ; soon after which we were ensconced in indifferent quarters at Marsily's Hotel. CHAP. II. KIEL. — A REVOLUTION. — PROGRESS Or REVOLUTION. — FRIENDSHIP AND JEALOUSY. — FIGHTING STUDENTS AND EXCITED PROFESSORS. A DUCAL PALACE AND SHADED WALKS. UNNECESSARY PRECAUTIONS. We found the little town of Kiel in a state of great ex citement. Active preparations were making for a renewal of those hostilities that had, unhappily, been going on between the Schleswig-Holsteiners and the Danes, since the revolution in the Duchies, on the 24th of March, 1848, but which had been suspended for a time, by an armistice destined shortly to expire without the conclu sion of any satisfactory arrangement.

This revolution arose from no sudden popular movement. Discontent had existed for many years in the Duchies, and disputes had arisen between them and the Danish Government. Violent and impassioned articles appeared in the journals, inflaming the minds of the Schleswig-Holsteiners, by appealing to their German nationality, as a reason for continuing that resistance which had already become organised, although it had not overstepped the limits of a free exercise of speech and the press. Matters were in this state when, in July 1846, the late King Christian VIII. promulgated a letter patent, setting forth certain views relative to the succession of the Duchies A REVOLUTION. 13 which added fuel to the flame already existing. A popular meeting was held a few days after at Neumiinster, where an address to the Diet of Holstein was voted, containing a solemn protest on the part of the Schleswig-Holsteiners, wherein the letter patent was represented to have -- brought into question all the rights — the whole constitution of the country, — and raised, in every honest heart among the inhabitants of the Duchies, the deepest anxiety for the future, and the most profound emotion."

The protest also reiterated what the people considered to be the three fundamental principles of their political existence; viz., " The Duchies are independent States. The male line alone reigns in the Duchies. The Duchies are States eternally and indissolubly united." This act was soon followed by an address from the Diet of Holstein to the King, supporting the popular cause. " To obey the order of his Prince," it said, " is the duty of every loyal subject ; but, in the present instance, such would be only betraying the most sacred interests of the country, and even your own." But the King was obsti nate in his opinions, and refused to modify them. The antagonism between the Sovereign and his German subjects became daily greater. The spirit of the people was fairly aroused, and their feelings embittered; yet it does not appear that Christian had for a moment thought of resorting to open hostilities to enforce his views, but that he was desirous, by measures of conciliation, to allay dissatisfaction, and thus bring about the moral submission of the Duchies.

In this spirit, and to this end, he pro posed uniting more closely the German to the Danish parts of the monarchy, by granting " a constitution common to Denmark and the Duchies." But in the midst of these plans death stepped in, on the 20th of January, 1848, and transferred the sceptre from Christian's hand to that of his son. On the very day he ascended the throne Frederick VII. issued a proclamation wherein he promised to carry out the intentions of his father, while a few days later fol lowed a *- Constitution common to Denmark and the Duchy of Schleswig," by which all the existing rights of the provincial States were guaranteed as established by the ordinances of May, 1831, and May, 1834. Eighteen deputies were to be elected by Denmark, the same num ber by Schleswig-Holstein, while four more were to be nominated by the King for each Duchy.

At another time this Constitution might have been received with satisfaction ; for even in the unfavourable state of the public mind then existing but slight opposition was offered to it, although the people were inclined to suspect every act as being levelled against their in terests, and had, moreover, men of energy, influence, and talent, watching jealously and closely to prevent any infringement of their rights. The preparations for the elections about to take place in the course of March went on with order, and the rest lessness that had so long prevailed seemed hushed to , repose, when the French Revolution fell like a thunder bolt upon Europe, which vibrated to its centre from the blow. Moderate men of all nations stood aghast ; a mighty stupor fell upon, and chained them to inaction; no cheering ray penetrated the dark cloud, beyond which they could imagine nothing but anarchy and confusion.

PROGRESS OF REVOLUTION. 15 Others, on rallying from the first shock, dreamed of universal freedom — the regeneration of mankind — a political Clysium, that was to invigorate all the social virtues, re ine the tastes, and exalt the intellect of the world. To a third and numerous class astonishment was succeeded by delirium, — hopes undefined mingled with wild and boisterous passions, — vague ideas that from the wreck of thrones the mighty waves would bear to shore some fragment for their benefit, — visions of an equal division of property, and a hundred other strange delusions, were jumbled together in their brains, and chased reason from her domicile. The French Revolution, followed by the political con vulsions of Germany, could not fail to create a profound sensation in the Duchies ; their long-existing state of contention with Denmark rendered them peculiarly sus ceptible of such an influence, which gave birth to new aspirations and hopes that required but a stimulus to give them a demonstrative form.

This was not long wanting, as on the 10th of March the Danish Government issued an ordinance for the regulation of the press, containing some obnoxious clauses. The town of Altona was the first to move ; and in an address to the King on the 15th of March the inhabitants set forth not only their griev ances on this, but their demands on a variety of othe subjects, couched in strong, and at times in bitter lan o-uao-e. From the moment that this address was signed, the breach between the Duchies and the King their Duke became irreparable. Events marched rapidly ; other towns and bodies voted addresses, and the Constitution which had been received without great resistance before the French Revolution, was now despised and rejected, while thoughts were indulged in of a separation from Denmark, and the es tablishment of Schleswig-Holstein as an independent State, united to the Germanic Confederation.