DALIN, Olof von (1708-1763), a Swedish poet, was born August 29, 1708, in the parish of Vinberg, in Halland, being the son of the incumbent. His mother was the daughter of a Dr Auadn, to whom Queen Christina had offered, during her exile in Rome, a cardinal’s hat if he joined the Romish Church. He was also nearly related to a still more remarkable man, Rydelius, the philosophical bishop of Lund, and the young Dalin was sent at a very early age to be instructed by him, Linnaeus being one of his fellow-pupils. The quick instinct of Rydelius instantly perceived the boy’s extraordinary genius, and he assisted its development in every possible way. While studying deeply at Lund, Dalin had visited Stockholm in the year 1723, and in 1726 he proceeded thither for the purpose of entering one of the public offices. Under the patronage of Baron Ralamb he rapidly rose to preferment, and his skill and intelligence won him golden opinions. It was at the age of twenty-four that he commenced his literary career by the publication of a work that was entirely new at that time in Sweden, namely the famous Argus, a weekly journal, founded on the model of Addison’s Spectator. For the two years 1733, 1734, Dalin issued his brilliant paper; at the end of 1733 he had thought to give it over, but he was forced to continue by the importunity of the public. It was not till 1736 that the secret was known, and Dalin confessed that he had been the writer of Argus. His reputation thereupon became immense. His next work was Tankar omKritiker (Thoughts about Critics), the first really aesthetic book brought out in Sweden. With the avowed purpose of enlarging the horizon of his cultivation and tastes, Dalin set off, in company with his pupil, Baron Ralamb’s son, on a tour through Germany and ...