she judged it proper to repair to Hamburgh, and to await there the opening of the approaching Diet, in order to be ready to avail herself of any circumstance which might contribute to render her negociations with it successful. Of all the orders of the state, the elergy, strange to relate, seemed more disposed than any other to advance her interests. The rest of the na tion, disgusted with her dissimulation and intrigues, used the right which she had given to them, and refused almost all her demands. She then renounced Sweden for ever, and returned to Rome, where she passed the remainder of her days, despising, and perpetually at variance with, the Pope*; ill paid by her ancient subjects, forgotten by France, and but little esteemed by that nation which she had preferred to every other. Christina soon perceived, after her abdication, to quote the words of Nani, the historian of Venice, that "a queen without a kingdom was a divinity without a temple, of which the worship is quickly abandoned." Bishop Burnet relates, in the History of his own Times, vol. II. page 415, that Christina one day said to him, "It was certain the church was governed by the immediate care and providence of God, for none of the four Popes she had known since she came to Rome had common sense." T [1686.] In study* and devotion+, in acting by turns the character of a queen, converter, astrologer §, and in a correspondence with the learned and great of Europe, were the last years of Christina's life consumed. Of all her numerous epistolary productions, there is no letter which reflects more honor upon her memory, than that which she addressed to the Chevalier Terlon, the ambassador of France in Sweden, in consequence of Louis XIV. having revoked the edict of Nantz. In the following passages of this letter, so much sound sense and real humanity are discoverable, as cannot but * It is conjectured by some, that at this time she began, and by others, finished, her Reflections sur la Vie et les Actions de grand Alexandre. It would have been better perhaps for her literary reputation had this work never seen the light. + She is said to have been much taken with the opinions of the Molinists. The spiritual repose which the author of that religious sect preached, and which then engaged the whole attention of the Inquisition, reminds us of the pleasant saying of the famous Pasquin upon this occasion: If we speak, the gallies is the consequence; if we write, the gibbet; if we keep ourselves in quietness of mind, the inquisition. What then is to be done?" pur She wrote a letter to the celebrated Madame Dacier, for the pose of exhorting her to turn catholic; and another to a certain Count Veranau, in which she persuaded him to become a monk. She is said to have been extremely fond of that vain science, notwithstanding it was one of her observations, that for judging of events, terrestrial appeared to her more sure than celestial astrology; and that we must study astrology as we do medicine, in order to avoid becoming the dupes of either of them. excite a sentiment of regret, in every reflecting mind, that a Queen who could think so nobly, should not have testified in her actions and conduct more desire to promote the general welfare of society. After stating, that she fears and flatters no one, she thus proceeds:" Are you fully persuaded of the sincerity of these new converts, the Calvinists? Men of war are strange apostles, and I think more calculated to kill, to rob, and to violate, than to persuade. I compassionate the people committed to their mercy, and I lament the ruin of so many families, and so many honest persons, who are reduced to beggary. Although in error, it seems to me, that they are more worthy of pity than of hatred. I compare France to a sick person, whose legs and arms are cut off, to cure a disease which a little patience and indulgence would have entirely healed. Nothing is more praiseworthy than the design of curing infidels and heretics, but the mode here adopted to effectuate that purpose is exceedingly strange; and as our blessed Lord has not availed himself of it to convert the world, it certainly cannot be esteemed the best." The letter is concluded by her opposing the conduct of Louis XIV. to his Protestant subjects, to that which he then held towards the Pope. Some writers have professed to see her attachment to Protestantism in this celebrated letter; and agreeably to this discovery they pretend, that Christina, three years afterwards, negociated with the Elector of Brandenburgh for an asylum in his dominions, in order that she might more easily carry into execution her design of returning to the Lutheran religion. If she really meditated this design, it was stopped short by the hand of nature, since she soon after that time expired. It is pretended, that Christina died with more fortitude than Queen Elizabeth; but the contrariety* of relations respecting that event, leave it very doubtful in what manner she met her doom. Of this however there can be no dispute, that she would have obtained a higher summit of glory in the estimation of posterity, had she more imitated that illustrious personage in her steady support of Protestantism; in her zeal, patriotizm, and skill, in government; in her wise frugality, impartial friendship, and heroic firmness; and in her enlightened taste for the arts and sciences. It is asserted by several writers, and with much appearance of truth, that her last moments were greatly disturbed by the recollection of her barbarity to Monaldeschi. INDEX. AGRIPPA, Cornelius, on the supe- Aikin, Lucy, passage from her Epistles Alessandra of Florence, her great at- Ambassadors, French, their pre-eminent to Aristotle, his works attracted the at- Asia, degrading treatment of women, 56 Aspasia, mistress of Pericles; her beau- Athens, her greater respect for courte- Attorney, etymology, 234;--litigious Augustus, his speech to induce the Ro- BARBARIANS, Northern; change they Bards, office of, among the Celts, 14; Bastards, situation in ancient times, 195; |