Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1880 — A King Challenged by a Poet. [ARTICLE]

A King Challenged by a Poet.

It is not often that a subject ventures to challenge his sovereign, but this, it appears, was recently done by the Swedish poet Bjornson. King Oscar, who has a considerable reputation as an author, takes a strong interest in contemporary Swedish literature, and is sometimes rather free in his criticisms of well-known writers. He lately passed an unfavorable judgment on a new work by Bjornson, expressing at the same time some contempt for the general character of his work. The indignant poet at once wrote to his Majesty, demanding that he should apologize for the insult or grant the only satisfaction that would be accepted by a man of honor. The King was prosaic enough to hand the letter to the police authorities of Stockholm, who instituted proceedings against the writer. Bjornson suddenly discovered that a change of air would suit him, and has now, ample leisure to consider whether, after all, a King should have the right to express a literary opinion only at the risk of his life. 4