GUSTAVUS III., King of Sweden, born in 1746, was the eldest son of Adolphus Frederic, duke of Holstein, who, iu consequence of his marriage with Ulrica Louisa, the sister of Frederic IL, had been called to the Swedish throne in 1743. On the 12th of February 1771, Gustavus III. succeeded to the crown ou the death of his father. The country was at this time divided by two factions, the Hats and Cape, as the aristocratic adherents to the Russian or French policy respectively called themselves, who sacrificed the general good to their own interests. Both parties were detested by the people on account of their pride and oppression, and both parties were dangerous to the crown through their aristocratic privileges. Gustavus took the bold resolution of subverting both these parties with the assistance of the people, and of acquiring more power and importance to the crown, and giving more influence and effect to the democratic principle. With this purpose he endeavoured to gain the good will of the militia by the institution of his new order of Vasa, and by bestowing prefer ment upon subaltern officers of talent. Prince Charles, the brother of the king, also travelled through the country, and secured the principal military chiefs to his interest. The execution of the king's plans against the States was commenced by the insurrection of the com mandant of Christianatadt, who issued a violent proclamation against the States-General. Gustavus behaved as though he were much irritated at this step, and sent Prince Charles with a powerful force against Christianstadt, ostensibly to subdue the rebel, but in reality to unite with him. On the 19th of August 1772, the king begau to follow out his plans in person. He entered into the assembly of the States, and fell into a violent dispute with some of the members. In the meantime his agents had secretly assembled all the military officers of the capital, and from the chamber of the States the king hurried to tho meeting of officers. These officers, who had been long attached to his cause, received his plan for the abrogation of the States and the alteration of the constitution with loud applause. The different regiments were assembled under arms, and the soldiers, in the midst of continued cheers, swore inviolable obedience to the king. Gustavus next proceeded to arrest the heads of the parties and the most powerful members of the States, and publicly announced his plans for the abolition of the old and the establishment of a new con stitution. On the same evening he received the congratulations of the foreign ambassadors, and gave a grand dinner to celebrate his success. The next day the magistracy of the capital took the oaths of fidelity, and the States-General were invited to assemble. Gustavus, having surrounded the assembly-house with soldiers and cannon, entered the assemblage accompanied by his military staff, hi order to submit to them the proposed new constitution. This armed force was elope randy sufficient to subdue every scruple of the assembly ; but it must be acknowledged that this constitution only restricted and circum scribed the privileges of the nobility, and did not infringe the liberties of the citizens. It was accordingly received by the majority with real
satisfaction, and confirmed by oaths and signatures. Those who had been arrested were immediately afterwards released, and the revolution was completed.
The nobility were silenced, but they nonrished a secret hatred, which at length broke out in the year 1788, when by their intrigues they prevailed upon the States to refuse the supplies to the king while engaged in hostilities with Russia and Denmark. The fidelity of the Dalecarlians however, who proffered their services to the king, and repulsed the enemy from Gothenburg when it was hardly pressed, delivered the country. In order to free himself from the ever-active intrigues of the nobles, the king resolved upon a new coup &flat, which ho carried into execution on the 3rd of April 1769, when he caused the leaders of the opposition in the Diet to be arrested, and a law to be passed, by which the royal prerogatives were very consider ably Increased. The first revolutionary measure of Gustavus was excusable on account of its patriotic object; but this second act of violence must be condemned as a selfish and arbitrary measure. After varying fortunes in the war, Gustavus concluded a peace on the 14th of August 1790 with his foreign enemies, that he might be at liberty to humble his domestic adversaries; but the nobility, who appre hended the loss of all their privileges, resolved upon his death. Accordingly the7 formed a conspiracy under the direction of Counte Horn and Ribbing and Colonel Lilienhorn, and a nobleman named Ankeratroem, whom he had personally offended, undertook to murder him. Ankerstroem chose a masked ball, which was given on the 16th of March 1792, at Stockholm, as the fittest opportunity for carrying his design into effect. The king was warned by some anonymous friend ; but he went to the ball, and was pointed out to the assassin by Count Horn, who tapped him on the shoulder, and said "Good evening, pretty mask." Upon this Ankerstroem shot the king through the body from behind, and mingled with the crowd of masks. Tho king suffered with much firmness, and died on the 29th of March. His murderer was discovered and executed, and many of the conspirators were banished out of the country.
Gustavus III. was a prince of very distinguished talents; his original intentions were noble, but prosperity corrupted him, and it became his object to acquire despotic power. It is noteworthy that this king, who as a statesman was so cool and self-possessed, was distinguished as a poet by his warmth of feeling and his fancy. He was the author of several highly-esteemed dramatic works ; and in the Swedish Academy, of which he was a member, he displayed a high degree of eloquence in various discourses upon historical and philosophical subjects. Gustavus III. was a memorable example of a king uniting himself with the democratic party iu order to oppose the encroach ments of a powerful aristocracy. Had he been satisfied with his first success, and firmly secured to himself the sympathy of his people, the nobility, however unscrupulous, would hardly have ventured on the perpetration of such a crime.
(Posselt, Gustav III. von Schweden.)