5075357313

Whether in the closet, in the field, or on the sen, Christian was invariably great. Happy would it have been for Denmark, had his plan been adopted of ridding himself of foreign adventurers, who have since been a scourge to the country. A merchant from Hamburgh presented a proposal for some grand plan to the king, who received it, but returned no answer. The mer­ chant, at length, grew importunate, and ad­ dressed a letter to His Majesty, requesting, if he should not approve his project, that he would not disclose it to any one. Christian, aware of the German’s finesse, whose object was to attach confidence to himself and his plans, returned him all his papers, with this reply, in German, “ Can you keep a secret ? “ I can.” But in his 68th year, Christian the Fourth added everlasting glory to his name. He com­ manded, in person, thirty-seven ships of war, and sailed for the Baltic in pursuit of the Swedish fleet, under Admiral Fleming. They met.