#burr i'm gonna hunt you for sport for the greek letters and the fucking reverse c i had to insert manually because OF COURSE it didn't ocr

[aaronburrdaily]

August 17, 1809

Upsala, Thursday, August 17, 1809. This is more legible but less convenient and it makes but one copy. ’Twas a bad calculation to bring only that little book. How could I forget to tell you of a new acquaintance? Yesterday Mr. Turner, who is from good nature the cicerone of all strangers, told me that there was a traveler, a Prussian, who had a great desire to see me. He was brought up and presented. A man of about 34; a very intelligent and prepossessing countenance. His name, H. Barth. More I know not, but we are to meet in Stockholm. He speaks English fluently, is very chearful,¹ and has that amiable German frankness and bonhomie² which I do so love. Couch. h. au soi.³ at 10, but having drank a dish of coffee chez le Gouverneur⁴ could not sleep. Got up and dressed and walked abroad near an hour very fast to fatigue myself. I had before walked about five miles, but all to no purpose, so set me down to read the Latin edition of the Swedish laws. About 2 got asleep. Rose at 6. To Turnberg’s at 7. Found him dressed and our coffee was immediately served, brought in by a pretty maid, with dry bread. Afterwards, bread, butter, pickled eel, and smoked salmon, both very good, with brandy and cordials. Mr. T. took no brandy; we both drank water. He offered me a copy of his “Travels” in Swedish, which I very foolishly declined. He answered with great cheerfulness my questions about Japan. I had made notes so that nothing might be forgotten. Pray read his “Travels”; they will amuse you much and then you may question me. You may believe every word he writes. You are perhaps ignorant that in Japan women are as free as in any part of Europe and I think rather more so, but I cannot now (perhaps never) commit to writing all he says. Staid two hours. We exchanged abundance of civil expressions and have agreed to keep up an intercourse after my return to America. Home at 10. You know we are to go off this morning to Sigtuna. Called on the Governor to take leave. He was under the hands of his hair-dresser but would see me. Staid a few minutes. Did not see mademoiselles les baronnes.⁵ Engaged to see him in Stockholm, where he is to be next week. On my return home found Afzelius, Jr. He proposes instead of going now to Sigtuna to make a tour to the mines of Dannemora, which suits me perfectly well. Are to set off at 3 and return to-morrow. Called on Mr. Turner who gave me a great number of pamphlets by the different professors and other matters of curiosity and information. A basket of cherries and a very pretty note from Madame Afzelius la jeu.⁶ A watchman in the steeple with an immense speaking trumpet proclaims the hour throughout the day as well as the night and immediately after the clock strikes, in a melodious tone of which not a syllable is articulated. No line from Hosack in answer to those which I wrote him on Friday last. The young etudiant,⁷ Mr. Hoxsam, came in again. He has been to the Lässesällskap i handelsman⁸ Borell, where I shall be always welcome. The newspapers, foreign and domestic, are found there. Afzelius junior has sent me two more books on the ancient laws of Sweden. One, [by] Joh. O. Stiernhöök, “De Jure Svenorum et Gothorum Vestuto.” Lib. duo., Holmiæ: 1672.⁹ Second, “Leges Svecorum, Gothorum” per Doctorem Bagwaldum Ingemvrdi, Eccle., archid. Ubsalensis, an. 1681 latinatate primum donatæ—a new edition by Johannes Massenius; Stockholm: CIↃIↃCXIV.¹⁰ Third, “Ζαμολξις,” (I can’t make Greek letters as you can), Primus Getarum Legislator, etc., etc. Carolo Landio. Upsala: CIↃIↃCLXXXVII.¹¹

Si Venerem fugias frustra properabis ad arcton Hoc quoque, quis credat! climate regnat amor.¹²

1  So in the MS. 2  Good fellowship. 3  For [je me] couchai hier au soir. Retired last evening. 4  At the Governor’s. 5  The baronesses. 6  For la jeune. The young; hence the young Mrs. Afzelius. 7  For étudiant. Student. 8  Swedish. Reading-circle at the house of the merchant Borell. 9  Latin. “Concerning the Old Law of the Swedes and the Goths”; in two books; Stockholm: 1672. 10  “The Laws of the Swedes and the Goths.” First presented in Latin by Doctor Bagvaldum Ingemurdi, Ecclesiastic, Archdeacon of Upsala, in the year 1681. A new edition by Johannes Massenius; Stockholm: 1614 (An error. He must have meant to indicate 1714, or else the other date should be 1581). 11  “Zamolxis, first legislator of the Goths,” etc., etc.; by Carolus Landius, Upsala: 1687. 12  If thou wouldst flee love (Venus), in vain shalt thou hasten to the pole. In this clime, too—who would think it?—Love reigns. (Apparently Burr quotes from Ovid, but there are some suspicious features about the second verse.)