“ Gustavus, who at the time of his father's death was travelling on the continent, procured from the French government a promise of aid and support against the aristocratic party. Hastening to Sweden, he labored to obtain popularity, while his emissaries propagated disaffection to the diet. Having matured his scheme, Gustavus confided the secret to a favorite officer, Hellichius, who shut the city gates of Christianstad, and published a manifesto against the diet. The place was immediately invested by government troops, while Stockholm was declared under martial law. ”

“ During his absence a famine made great havoc, the people were disturbed, the nobility rose against him, and the diet forced him to make concessions. The king, who in 1772 was the idol of the nation, had become in 1787 an object of detestation. ”