[Footnote 132: The constitutional, almost democratic government of Denmark, has sinned grievously against this sensible rule. The late king, and I dare say the present, appointed surgeons, postmasters, custom-house officers, &c., councillors of justice, although these gentry understood nothing of law, and many a shopkeeper or farmer bears the title of war assessor, war councillor, or chief commissary of war. The reason alleged for this by the government of Frederick VI. was, that the titled persons paid a handsome tax to the Treasury.] [Footnote 133: As the Norwegian language is merely a dialect, but the written language in both kingdoms is Danish, and the kingdom of Norway was at that time governed like a mere province, there was only a Danish chancery for the two kingdoms, and a German one for the duchies and counties.] [Footnote 134: Charles X.'s attack of February 11, 1659.] [Footnote 135: Reverdil and "Northern Courts."] CHAPTER XI. THE MASTER OF REQUESTS. EDUCATION OF THE CROWN PRINCE--FREDERICK THE SIXTH--CONDITION OF THE KING--A ROYAL SQUABBLE--THE SWEDISH PRINCES--THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL--COUNT VON DER OSTEN--THE EMPRESS CATHARINE--SUPPRESSION OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL--THE GRAND VIZIER--THE COUNCIL OF CONFERENCES--THE FREE PRESS. While the royal family were residing at Hirschholm, the training of the crown prince was a subject of discussion between the queen, Struensee, Berger, and others. The boy, who was now nearly three years of age, had a weak constitution and a tendency to consumption. He was obstinate; given to screaming; would not walk; insisted on being constantly carried; and attached himself to certain persons. He would never play by himself; he had to be scolded in order to make him be quiet, and wanted people to be continually singing and dancing to him.