the ancient method of printing: for, without a doubt, the work in question is not written by the hand."

This little tract then proceeds to give the following account of the mode in which this style of letter-press was executed. "It is done on a parchment of a purple coloured ground," with letters of silver. Every sheet is divided into given lines. The place for each line being covered with a kind of transparent glue (which is plainly perceptible in the sun), the silver or gold was spread over it; and the types made of brass, or of some other hard metal previously heated, were pressed firmly down, which fixed their form on the skin." The professors of Upsal told me that this mode of printing was an invention of the ancient Goths.

The Codex Argenteus was long hidden from the learned world: its existence was not even known, while it lay lost amongst a collection of books belonging to the friars of Verden. During the German war, this library was removed to Prague, where the volume in question fell into the hands of field-marshal Köningsmarc. In 1648 he gave it to Isaac Vossius, queen Christina's librarian, who took it to England in the year 1655, where count Magnus de la Gardé purchased it for four hundred rix dollars; and bringing it to Sweden, made it a present to the university of Upsal. Probably its name arises from the letters being silver: one would scarcely imagine that a cover of that metal would give a title page to the book.

We next had the gratification of taking into our hands one of the first impressions of the bible. It had been the constant companion of the studies of Martin Luther; and opposite the title page is a letter in his own handwriting. Having carefully examined the sacred volume, which was quite perfect, a heathen work was unfolded to us. The manuscript of the Edda. It was found in Iceland; and is said to have been composed by Snore Sturlstone, one of the rulers of that insulated country. He is supposed to have lived long before the introduction of christianity into any of the northern states. The work is mythological and contains the religious doctrines of the Scandinavian Odin. Not being master of the key, all its mysteries were locked to me: but the professor who showed it, said, that its passages

are extremely interesting, and full of very curious information. There is something very provoking in turning over the leaves of famous books, when we are ignorant of their language. Our feelings, in such a case, are not dissimilar to what would have been a completely deaf man's, standing in the forum where Cicero was speaking.

The Edda is written on parchment, and contains several rude drawings, resembling astronomical figures. It is found that these Pagans, at religious meetings, made a sign on their breasts, not unlike that of the cross used by the Greek and Latin churches. Theirs was in commemoration of the battle-ax of their god THOR. I am not learned enough in ecclesiastical rites, to know the origin of most of them: but when we cannot trace the ordinance which happens to strike us in the scripture itself, we may perhaps find it where we least expect, as it is very probable that converted heathens would carry a few of their old practices into their new religion; only a little modifying them to the occasion, like the transformation of the Pantheon at Rome into a church of the true God. These resemblances, few as they are, between the ceremonies of the pagan and the christian world, are cavilled at by unthinking people, who are apt to say christianity borrows this and that from paganism; when the fact is, as christianity stands simple in the gospel, it is intire of itself, insulated from all communion with other religions by a flood of light unspotted with any formalities. Its only enjoined rites are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Hence, whatever else we see about it, whether marking with the cross, or any other ceremony; if we can date them from heathen sources, they have been borrowed by man, and christianity has nothing to do with them.

It would be tedious, as well as tantalizing to you, whose favourite banquet is a good library, to name all the rare books we turned over. In fact, this bibliotheque contains every early and curious edition of the most scarce and renowned works, to the number, I am told, of eighty thousand volumes.

The saloons are large and well adapted to the studious purpose to which they are assigned. In one of them stand two large chests, iron-bound, sealed and strongly padlocked. They

were deposited here by the will of his late majesty Gustavus III. who ordered that they were not to be opened till fifty years after his death. Various are the conjectures on their contents. Perhaps, one sheet of paper in each, containing a suitable and wholesome reflection! In the same building is the hall for public lectures; an anatomical theatre founded by Rubeck; an astronomical observatory planned by Celsius; and a botanical garden laid out by Linnæus! All, classic ground, you will say. Having enjoyed this mental treat with as much pleasure as the extreme cold would allow, at the appointed hour we returned to our friend the archbishop, to be present at the expected

ceremony.

On reentering the state apartments of the palace at two o'clock, we found a great assemblage of persons. His grace, and those to be employed in the official duties, were already habited in their religious vestments, and on the moment of commencing the sacerdotal rites. The archbishop was apparelled in long robes of gold tissue superbly embroidered, with a jewelled mitre on his head, and a full embossed crosier in his hand. The serene expression of his countenance, and the height of his person, gave a holy command to his figure, which the magnificence of his sacred habit increased, by reminding us of the prophet Samuel. On a table opposite him lay a bible richly bound in crimson velvet; also the official documents of the new suffragan's dignity: the episcopal oath; and paper of reception signed by the hand of the king.

The clergyman who awaited his approaching elevation, stood in the front, to receive the investiture of his rank, as well as the righteous admonitions of his superior. After the archbishop had most emphatically delivered a short sermon on the occasion, the oath was administered, the cross suspended by a gold chain was hung round his neck; the robe was put upon his shoulders; and then kneeling, he received the holy benediction, the crosier being at the same time placed in his hand. A few minutes of silent prayer elapsed, and the newly invested rising, the surrounding clergy saluted him Bishop of Calmar.

The habits of the archbishop, of his lordship of Calmar, and of four others placed on each side of his grace, were all magni

ficently splendid. Two of the four bishops were in black velvet, richly embroidered with silver; having on their breasts a triangle and glory with the Hebrew characters customary in that symbol. On their backs, the cross of Christ is wrought in silver, with the crown of thorns, &c. The rest of the consecrated assembly were surpliced in white. An hour saw the completion of the ceremony. To-morrow a dinner is to be given by the primate in honour of the new bishop; a scene which, I make no doubt will present as much food for the mind, as for the palate. I know not exactly how many of the holy college I shall see; but I am told that thirteen bishops now form the number which hold that dignity in Sweden; formerly there were no more than six. The archbishop of course takes precedence of them all, having besides the subordinate classes of the clergy under his sacred crosier.

Being, as it appears, on consecrated ground, you shall hear more from me on similar subjects to-morrow; meanwhile, sharing the good archbishop's blessing with you, I commit you to heaven, and remain ever your faithful friend.

LETTER XL.

Upsal, March, 1808.

OUR morning's walk was to the cathedral. Its architecture is gothic, but spoiled by the materials of which it is built, being merely brick of a very bad colour. From this cause its outward ornaments are few, having none but on the entrances, which are composed of stone. The great front is flanked with two towers, formerly surmounted by spires; another was elevated from the centre of the church, when a fire happening by some unexplained accident, burnt them all three; and in their stead a set of brick lanterns are erected, of an awkward Roman architecture; thus, as we too often do in our country, ruining both styles by so preposterous a union.

The age of the cathedral is not ascertained precisely. It is generally supposed to have had its first stone laid by Charles the seventh, (called by the Swedes Carl Suerkerson), in the year 1162; and it is very probable, for he was not only an excellent prince, but very eminent for public acts of piety. He entombed his predecessor the pious Eric the Ninth in this church; and to give all ecclesiastical respect to the priesthood in his dominions, was the first who elevated the see of Upsal to the archiepiscopal dignity. For this purpose he obtained a buil from Pope Alexander III., who consecrated Stephanus archbishop of Upsal.

The interior of the church, like most other cathedrals in this country, is formed of a long broad aisle, and two side ones of narrower dimensions. The pillars are of the simple gothic in clusters. The adjacent parts of the edifice are equally plain, corresponding in the same want of ornament so faithfully, that not even a rose finishes the centre of the many arches which terminate themselves along the roof. While I looked at it, I could not help thinking, that after all the homage that monarch paid to the papal chair, his holiness was very ungrateful not to send one sprig from his consecrated tree to bloom across these naked walls. The whole has been painted white, a violent de