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Writing: American Birchbark Boats

American Birchbark Boats, Dedication

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His Majesty’s Liegeman and Bishop of the Diocese of Ǻbo, distinguished Vice-Chancellor of this Royal University and Member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Right Reverend Doctor Johan Browallius, my most gracious promoter.

Be not surprised, Right Reverend Lord Bishop, at the fact that these few lines by an unpractised hand and rough sentences hastily formed, have most humbly solicited the honour of being solely adorned with Your illustrious name, Right Reverend Lord Bishop, and with the assurance of such exalted protection.

The appreciation of useful and productive sciences has risen high among us under Your direction and guidance, Right Reverend Lord Bishop. Natural science, which was formerly almost in its infancy if not altogether in darkness among us, now makes a display of brilliance, from the light of Your clear-sighted eyes. Our enfeebled economy has from Your incomparable genius and mature sense developed firmer roots, a remarkable improvement and assured prospects.

Our native land will therefore never forget the day when You, Right Reverend Lord Bishop, arrived on Finnish soil,1 nor ever forget to praise Him who brought about its prosperity.

I have myself been the recipient of Your benefactions. My future destiny I likewise, next to God, entrust to Your tender hands. And for that reason all the gratitude that can ever be felt by a grateful mind ought to be found in me.

The overflowing heart of my reverence may have suffered the misfortune of having an unruly tongue and a faltering pen as its interpreter; yet I would venture to say that of all those who revere Your celebrated name, none can be with greater zeal and assurance than I

the most humble servant of Your Reverence, Lord Bishop,

Anders Chydenius


  1. the day when … on Finnish soil: Browallius began his career in Finland in 1737, when he was appointed professor of physics at the academy in Åbo.

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