Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/277

Rh Sweden. In that year Christina finally resigned her crown, finding it impossible to reconcile her literary pursuits, or, more properly, her love of ease and romantic turn of mind, with the duties of her station. Her intention was spread over the kingdom instantaneously; and this extraordinary resolution, which greatly exalted her character with the Swedes, affected them like a sudden explosion of thunder. All were struck dumb with her firmness; no one attempting to dissuade her from a purpose upon which they perceived her determined. The senate assembled at Upsal, heard Christina declare her design with silent astonishment; they only ventured to reply, that they were in expectation her promises to continue the government would have been of longer duration.

While they were deliberating upon the measures which would be necessary in consequence of her resignation, Christina dispatched a messenger to the hereditary prince, to treat with him on the revenues to be assigned for the support of her dignity, after her abdication. It was proposed that two hundred thousand rix dollars should be annually paid her, in certain instalments, and that many provinces of the kingdom should be appropriated, so as to render this revenue certain and unalienable. All being at length adjusted to mutual satisfaction, the queen turned her eyes to the security of the succession, in case the hereditary prince died without issue; but finding the people opposed her design, to settle it in the family of the count de Tot, who was of the royal blood, and a favourite of hers, she prudently declined it; and assembled the states at Upsal, where, in a set speech, she recapitulated the transactions of her reign, and the instances of her care and affection for the people; she specified all the measures she