SwEntsn AcADEMIES, The Royal Academy of Scien ces at Stockholm, had its origin from six persons of dis tinguished learning, who, in 1739, formed a private society for reading dissertations on literary subjects. The celebrated Linnxus was one of this number. The character and talents of the founders soon procured them a multitude of associates. The institution attracted the public attention, and was incorporated by the king, on the 31st March 1741, under the name of the Royal Swedish Academy. Though the academy has acquired great funds, by legacies and private donations, a pro fessor of experimental philosophy, and two secretaries, are the only persons who receive any salaries. Each of the members resident at Stockholm becomes presi dent by rotation, and continues in office during three months. The dissertations read at each meeting are collected and published four times a-year, in 8vo. They arc written in the Swedish language ; and the annual publications make a volume. The first volume was published at the end of 1739, under the title of Kongl.
Svenska Vetenskaps Academiens Handlingar, and thi.
work proceeded without interruption till the year 1779, when a new series was begun under the title of Kongl. Vctenskafrs Acadenziens Xya Handlingar ; the first of which was published in 1780. The papers relating to agriculture, are printed separately, under the title of Economica Acta, of which several volumes have been published. Annual premiums, in money and gold me dals, principally for the encouragement of agriculture and inland trade, are also distributed by the academy. The fund for these prizes is supplied from private do nations. The funds of the academy, amounting, in 1800, to 400/. are derived from the profits which arise from the exclusive sale of almanacs. In 1799, the academy was divided into seven classes, viz. 1. Gem rat and rural economy, containing fifteen members; 2. Commerce and the mechanical arts, containing fifteen members ; 3. Ex terior Physics, and JVatural history, containing fifteen members ; 4. Interior Physics, and ?A'atural Philosophy, containing fifteen members ; 5. Mathematics, containing eighteen members; 6. Medicine, containing fifteen mem bers; 7. Belles Lettres, History, Languages, containing twelve members. See Coxe's Travels, ii. 342 ; and Acerbi's 7'ra-tclg, i. 1 1 I.
The Academy of Belles at Srockholm was in stituted by the and protected by her Son Gustavus 111. who established a fund for prizes, and settled pensions on several of the members. The num
ber of members is fixed at fifty ; viz. 16 foreign, 14 honorary, and 20 ordinary members. The regulations of the academy are nearly the same with those of the Academy of Inscriptions at Paris.
The Swedish Academy, or the as it is called, was instituted, in 1788, by Gustavus III. for the cul tivation of the Swedish language. The number of members is 18 ; and the general arrangements of the academy are somewhat similar to tlose of the .1cadenne Erancoise. Sec Acerbi's Travels, i. 102, 105, 131.
At Stockholm there is also an Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which has nine professors, and about 400 scholars. This academy distributes, annually, three large and three small medals ; and the students who distinguish themselves most are permitted to travel in to France and Italy at the expense of the institution.
The Academy of Antiquities at UJssal was planned and begun under queen Christina, and established by her successor Charles Gustavus. Its object is, to illus trate the northern languages, and the antiquities of the country, as stones, coins, Sc. For an account of the So ciety at Upsal, see So c IETY.
There is also an Academy of Belles Lettres at Abo. DANISH ACADEMIES. The Row!! Jca./rmy at Copenhagen, owes its origin to the zeal of six scholars whom Christian VI. in 1742, ordered to arrange his cabinet of medals. Among these six was Pontoppidan, the celebrated author of the Natural ili,tery of Nor way. These persons meeting Gceasont,Ily For the pur pose for which they were appointed, gradually enlarged their plans, associated with themselves others eminent in science, and forming a kind of literary society, em ployed themselves in exploring and illustrating the an tiquities of their country. The count of Holstein, v. ho was the first president, warmly patronized this society ; and recommended it so strongly to Christian VI. that, in 1743, his Danish majesty took it under his protection, called it the Royal .kcademy of Sciences, endowed it with a fund, and ordered the members to join, to their former pursuits, natural history, physics, and mathema tics. In consequence of the royal favour, new zeal was diffused among its members ; and their Transactions have been published in the Danish language, in a great number of volumes, some of which have been translated into Latin. Sec Coxe's Travels, vol. ii. p. 554.