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DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG
DOCUMENTS
CONCERXING
THE LIFE AND CHARACTER
OF
EMANUEL SWEDENBORG
COLLECTED, TRANSLATED, AND ANNOTATED
BY
R. L. TAFEL, A. M., PH. D.
VOLUME I.
SWEDENBORG SOCIETY, BRITISH AND FOREIGN
36 BLOOM'SBURY STKEEtV LONDON
^9
^^98 Q
PREFACE.
Ill the yeor 1868, the editor, wliile professor at the Washington Uk^/ersity of St. Louis, Missouri, was requested by the General Convention of the New Church in America to undertake a journey to Sweden, for the purpose of securin!^ a photo-hthographic reproduction of all the unpublished manu- scripts of Swedenborg. He accordingly embarked for Europe at the end of July of the same year, and towards the end of September arrived in Stockholm, where he at once entered upon the work of his important mission.
After accomplishing the preliminary part of his task, that of making a most minute and careful examination of the Swedenborg MSS., which are preserved in the Library of the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, he, while engaged one day in the Royal Library in turning over some of its literary treasures, laid his hand upon some documents respecting Swedenborg which had never been published in the English language. It was then that the idea occurred to him of not only making an exhaustive examination of the author's unpublished writings, but also of collecting such documents respecting him as might stiU be in existence, scattered over the various parts of his native country.
The Royal Librarian in Stockholm, Mr. G. E. Klemming, kindly entered into the editor's plans, and, at his request, at once
VI PREFACE.
issued a circular wliich was inserted in most of the Swedish journals, soHciting all who were in possession of letters addressed to, or written hy, Swedenborg, or other documents respecting him, to send them to the Royal Library in Stockholm, where certified copies would be taken. * At the same time direct appeals were made by the Eoyal Librarian and Mr. J. A. Ahl- strand, librarian, of the Royal Academy of Sciences, to all antiquarians and collectors in furtherance of this object.
The result was the accumulation, in a short time, of a vast mass of information respecting Swedenborg, the very existence of which had not previously been suspected.
The most fruitful sources of documentary information were: First, the Cathedral-Library at Linkoping ; whither the editor, by the advice of his faithful coadjutors, undertook a journey about the end of October, 1868, and where the Consistory, under the presidency of Bishop Bring, with the greatest readiness resolved to send to the Eoyal Library in Stockholm all the volumes which contained letters or other documents respecting Swedenborg ; at the same time instructing the Royal Librarian to place these volumes freely at the service of the editor. From these volumes are derived seventy-one of the documents in Section III, and two of those in Section IV. Secondly, the Library of the Academy of Sciences, which supplied twenty- five of the letters in Section II, seventeen of those in Section III, four documents of Section IV, twenty-five of Section VI, and three of great importance in Section VII; it provided, be- sides, the journals of Swedenborg's travels, which are printed in Section VIII, with some letters contained in Section IX. Thirdly, the Royal Library in Stockholm ; the present custodian of the treasures of Count Eugestrom's Kbrary (see foot-note to-
PEE FACE. Vn
Document 137), from which have been derived two letters in Section I, four documents in Section IV, one in Section V, and several in Section XI. In the Royal Library is pre- served also the interesting document entitled "Swedenborg's Dreams," of which an account is given in Section VIII.
In November 1868, the editor left Sweden in order to lay the results of his investigations respecting the 'i^wedenborg MSS. before the friends of the New Church at large; and in June 1869 he returned to Sweden with instructions from the General Convention of the New Church in America (which was soon after joined by the General Conference in Great Britain) to commence the photo-lithographic reproduction of the unpublished writings of Swedenborg.
While engaged in the superintendence of this work he continued to seek, by all available means, to increase his stock of Documents; and permission having been granted by the authorities of the College of Commerce, he entered upon a systematic examination of the records of the College of Mines dui'ing the time Swedenborg had been officially connected with it, from 1717 to 1747. The results of this investigation are contained^ partly in Section V, and partly in Section VI. He supplemented his researches in the College of Mines by investigations in the Royal Archives, free access to which had been granted him by the superintendent, Count Oxenstjerna. Besides, the Court of Appeals opened to him its hidden treas- ures, and an interesting law-suit was there discovered, an abstract of which is contained in Document 132, Section IV.
The funds which were required for collecting and tran- scribing this vast mass of documents, were supplied by the American Document Committee, which is under the direction
VIII PREFACE.
of the Rev. W. H. Benade, secretary of the American Sweden- borg MSS. Committee; L. C. Jungerich, Esq. of Philadelphia, and the editor of the present work; to this committee also belong the original documents which were thus obtained. A copy of these documents was taken by the General Conference at its own expense, and deposited by resolution with the Swedenborg Society, for safe custody.
At the end of May, 1870, the editor left Stockholm, having successfully accomplished the task of reproducing, by the photo- lithographic process, the unpublished MSS. of Emanuel Sweden- borg. Soon after his arrival in London, an account of the documents he had collected was published in the "Intellectual Repository;" and the Rev. Augustus Clissold was so much impressed with the importance of having them made accessible to the English reader, that he placed £200 at the disposal of the Swedenborg Society, for the purpose of having them translated.
At the request of the Committee of the Swedenborg Society the editor undertook the work of translating and preparing these documents for the press. He soon found, however, that it would be necessary for him, not only to translate the new documents discovered by him in Sweden, but also to give a new version of almost all those that had been previously published, as, for instance, Sandel's Eulogiam, Robsahm's Memoirs, and others, which had been rendered into English, not from the originals, but from French and Grerman versions.
It was found necessary also to subject all the documents which had been discovered to a close scrutiny, and to separate the genuine from the spurious. Doubtful testimony had to be
PEE FACE. IX
analysed, and reasons given for either accepting or rejecting it; and where contradictory evidence occurred, an attempt had to be made to arrive at the truth according to the laws of evidence. All this entailed on the editor a great amount of labour. But that labour, great as it was, rendered further exertion necessary. He found it requisite to make laborious researches, in order to obtain information respecting the life and character of the various persons whose names occur in the documents, or who have given their testimony concerning Swedenborg. The results of these researches are embodied in notes appended to the first and second volumes. The authorities chiefly consulted in the preparation of these notes are, Anrep's "Svenska Adelns Attar-Taflor" the "BiogrqfisJd Lexicon ofver Namnkunnige Svenska Mcin," "Nya Kyrkan ocli dess inflytande pa Theologiens Studmm i Sverige," and Dr. Kahl's " Narratiunculoe de vitis Hominum in E. Sivedenl)orgii Diariis Commemoratorum" the German "Conversations-Lexicon," and the '■'■ Encycloijcedia Britan- nica." It was thought it would be interesting and instructive to those who accept Swedenborg's testimony as a seer, to learn what he has said regarding the state in the other world of the more prominent of those persons who figure in these documents, therefore his theological works, and especially his "Spiritual Diary," have been frequently brought into requisition in the preparation of the notes.
At the request of the editor, the Committee of the Sweden- borg Society appointed the Rev. William Bruce, editor of the "Intellectual Repository," to assist him with his advice and otherwise, in preparing the materials for the press. Besides his assistance, help has also been rendered by Mr. James Speirs, the pubhsher of the work. Notwithstanding, however,
X PREFACE.
the care and labour bestowed upon it, it has been found impossible in all instances to make the meaning quite clear, the originals being in many passages very obscure. This is especially the case with the letters that passed between Sweden- borg and his brother-in-law, Ericus Benzelius, in many of which allusions are made that could only have been understood, and were only intended to be understood, by each other.
Still, with these and other imperfections, the editor indulges the hope that the present collection of documents, many of which have no doubt been rescued from destruction or oblivion, will be accepted by the members of the New Church as an im- portant contribution towards a knowledge of one, in whose personal as well as of&cial life and character they must feel a deep interest.
London, May, 1875.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PREFACE V
SECTION I. GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
DOCUMENT.
I. — Rev. T. Hartley to Swedenborg 1
2. — Swedenborg's Autobiogi'aphy in a letter to Hartley . 6
3.— Rev. T. Hartley to Swedenborg 10
4. — Sandels' Eulogium on Swedenborg 12
5. — Robsahm's Memoirs of Swedenborg 30
6. — Pemety's Account of Swedenborg 52
SECTION n.
SWEDENBORG'S ANCESTRY, AND THE GENEALOGY OF THE SWEDENBORG FAMILY.
7. — Report on Swedenborg's Paternal Ancestry ... 75 8. — P. Schonstrom's letter on Swedenborg's Maternal An- cestry 77
9. — Genealogy of the Swedenborg Family .... 82
10. — Bishop Swedberg's Biography 96
11 — 34. — Twenty four letters of Bishop Swedberg to Johan Rosen-
adler 155—193
35. — Extracts from Bishop Swedberg's Autobiography . . 194
SECTION III.
SWEDENBORG'S CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE YEARS 1709—1747.
INTRODUCTION 199
86, 37.— Swedenborg to Ericas Benzelius 200—204
38.— Polhem to Ericus Benzehus . . . . . . . 205
Xn CONTENTS.
DOCUMENT. PAGE
39, 40.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzelius 206—212
41.— Extracts from the Minutes of the Literary Society of
Upsal 213
42. — Professor Elfvius to Swedenborg 214
43_50.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzelius 216—242
51.— Polhem to Swedenborg ..,,.... 242
52.^PoIhem to Ericus Benzehus 243
53. — Polhem to Swedenborg 245
54, 55.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus 247—251
56, 57.— Polliem to Ericus Benzehus 251—253
58.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus ...... 253
59. — Ericus Benzehus to Swedenborg ...... 255
60 — 62.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus 258—265
63.^PoUiem to Ericus Benzehus 265
64. — Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus ...... 266
65, 66.— Pohiem to Swedenborg . 269—273
67— 70.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus 273—281
71.— Polliem to Swedenborg 281
72— 83.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus . , . « . 283—306 84. — Polhem to Ericus Benzehus ....... 306
85— 97.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus . . . = . 307—332
98. — Ericus Benzehus to Swedenborg 333
99. — Swedenborg to Lars Benzelstjema 334
100—102.— Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus 335—340
103. — Ericus Benzehus to Swedenborg 341
104.— Jesper Swedenborg to Emanuel Swedenborg . . . 342
105.— Ericus Benzehus to Swedenborg 343
106.^Swedenborg to Ericus Benzehus 344
107. — Jonas Unge to Swedenborg . . 345
108—110.- Swedenborg to A. D. Schonstrom .... 346—348
111. — Jonas Unge to Swedenborg 349
112. — Swedenborg to Brita Behm 351
113.— Bishop Swedberg to Emanuel Swedenborg . . . 352
114. — Jonas Unge to Swedenborg 353
115. — Bishop Swedberg to Emanuel Swedenborg . . . 354
116.^ — Jonas Unge to Swedenborg 355
117.— J. E. Henkel to Swedenborg 356
118.— Lector Sparschuh to C. J. Benzehus 357
119.— Jacob Eorskal to Swedenborg 358
120, 121.— Jonas Unge to Swedenborg 359—360
122.— Ericus Benzehus to Christopher Wolf .... 361 123.— Christopher Wolf to Ericus Benzehus .... 362
CONTENTS. Xm
DOCUJfEXT. PAGE
124, 125. — Lars Benzclstjema to Swcdenborg .... 362 — 364 126. — Jesper Swedenborg to Ericus Benzelius . 127. — ^Ericus Benzelius to C. J. Benzelius . 128. — Swedenborg to an anonymous correspondent 129. — S\Yedcnborg to Councillor * * * .
365 367 367 369
SECTION IV.
DOCIBIENTS CONCEKNIN& SWEDENBORG'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.
130.— Swedenborg as Minc-OwTior in Skinskatteberg . . 373
131.— Bishop Swedbcrg to Jesper Swedenborg .... 374
132.— Swedenborg's law-suits with Brita Behm .... 376
133. — Ericus BenzeUus to C. J. BenzeHus 381
134.— Moneys received by Swedenborg in 1743 and 1744 . 382 135. — Extracts from Swedenborg's common-place book for the
years 1747 and 1748 383
136.— Memorandum -of the year 1748 386
137.— Swedenborg's account with Messrs. Jennings and Finlay
from 1759 to 1763 ... ..... 387
138.— Statement of Swedenborg's Income for the years 1765
and 1766 388
139. — List of Swedenborg's valuables from the year 1770 , 389 140.— Official description of Swedenborg's house and garden
in Stockholm 390
141.^Letters of Chas. Lindegren respecting Swedenborg's
decease and burial 393
142.— Bjomstahl to C. J. BenzeHus 395
SECTION V.
SWEDENBORG'S OFFICIAL LIFE IN THE COLLEGE OF MINES, FROM 1717 TO 1747.
INTRODUCTION 399
143. — Swedenborg's appointment as extraordinary assessor in
the College of Mines 401
144. — Swedenborg's entrance upon his office .... 402
145. — His description of Swedish Iron Furnaces . . . 404
146.— His proposal respecting the exsiccation of vitriol . . 405
147. — His application for a salary in 1720 406
148.-His letter to the College of Mines in 1721 . . .407
XIV CONTENTS.
DOCUMENT PAGE
149.— His memorial to the King on an improvement in the
metallurgy of copper . 408
150. — His report to the College of IVIines respecting this im- provement 411
151. — Reply of the mining authorities at Fahlun to this report 414
152. — Swedenborg's rejoinder , , 421
153. — Swedenborg's entrance upon his active duties in the
college in 1723 426
154.— His Ufe at the college in 1723 429
155.— His life at the college in 1724 431
156.— His Mfe at the college in 1725 434
157.— His hfe at the college in 1726 437
158. -His hfe at the college firom 1727 to 1732 .... 438
159.— His first apj^Hcation for leave of absence in 1733 . . 441
160.— Expiration of his leave of absence in 1734 . . . 444
161.— His hfe at the college in 1735 446
162. — His second apphcation for leave of absence in 1736 . 447
163.— His connection with the college fi'om 1737 to 1742 . 456
164. — His third apphcation for leave of absence in 1743 . . 457
165. — His connection with the coUege from 1744 to 1746 . 462
166. — His retirement from the college in 1747 .... 463
167. — Royal decree accepting Swedenborg's resignation . . 465
SECTION VI.
SWEDENBORG'S PUBLIC LIFE AS A MEIMBER OF THE HOUSE
OF NOBLES.
INTRODUCTION 469
168. — A Memorial on the state of Sweden's finances in 1723 . 471 169. — A Memorial on legislating in favour of copper to the
detriment of iron 475
170. — A Memorial showing the importance of the production
of iron for Sweden 477
171. — A Memorial on the estabhshment of roUing-miUs in
Sweden 480
172. — A Memorial on the impohcy of Sweden declaring war
against Russia, with an introduction .... 483 173. — Fragment of a memorial ^principally for the regulation
of the Mquor-traffic 493
174. — A Memorial in favour of returning to a piu'e metallic
currency 496
CONTEXTS. XV
DOCmrENT. PAGE
175.— An appeal to the Swedish Diet in favour of restoring
a metallic currency 504
176.— On the causes of the rise of exchange .... 505 177, — A Memorial addressed to the King against the expor- tation of copper 507
178.— Swedenborg declines to be a member of the private com- mission on exchange 509
179. — Swedenborg's resolution with regard to the secret depu- tation on exchange 510
180.^ — A Memorial addressed to the Diet on the subject of
Councillor Nordencrantz's book 511
181.- — A review of Nordencrantz's book 515
182.— First letter of Swedenborg to Nordencrantz . . . 521
183.— Swedenborg to Baron C. F. Hopken ..... 522
184.- — Nordencrantz's reply to Swedenborg ..... 523
185. — Swedenborg's statement in the House of Nobles . . 525 186.— Swedenborg's statement in reply to a memorial addressed
by Nordencrantz to the House of Nobles . . . 526 187.— Swedenborg's answer addressed to the four houses of
the Diet 527
188.- -Second letter of Swedenborg to Nordencrantz . . 528
189.— Swedenborg to Baron C. F. Hopken 529
190. — Nordencrantz's reply to Swedenborg's second letter . 530
191. — Third letter of Swedenborg to Nordencrantz . . . 531 192. — Memorandum to be appended to Swedenborg's review
of Nordencrantz's book 534
193. - Swedenborg's reply to a second memorial of Nordencrantz 535
194. — President Oelreich to Swedenborg 536
195. — Swedenborg's intercession in behalf of Count Hopken . 536 196. — His Memorial in behalf of Senators v. Hopken, Palmstjerna
and Scheffer 538
Spuriousness of a document imputed to Swedenborg by
Dean Wieselgren 542
SECTION VII. SWEDENBORG AS A MAN OF SCIENCE.
INTRODUCTION 553
197.— Swedenborg's mechanical feat before Fredrikshall in 1718 554
198. — Prospectus of a metallurgical work from the year 1722 555
199.— Swedenborg's letter to Dr. Nordberg about Charles XH. 558
XVI CONTENTS.
DOCUMENT. PAGE
200. — Swedenborg's Controversy with Professor Anders Celsius of Upsal, in 1740 and 1741. Cause of the Controversy 565
A. Extract from Prof. Celsius' paper questioning the
correctness of Swedenborg's Principia . . . 566
B. Swedenborg's Reply to Prof. Celsius .... 568
C. Celsius' Rejoinder 578
D. Magister Hiorter's computation 580
E. His strictures of Swedenborg's computation . . 583
F. Swedenborg's Reply to Magister Hiorter . . . 584 201. — Prospectus of books to be pubUshed, from the year 1742 585 202. — Swedenborg's paper on inlaying marble, from the year
1763 586
203. — Swedenborg's Method of finding the Longitude reprinted in 1766
A. His letter to the Academy of Sciences
B. Swedenborg to Dr. C. J. Benzehus
C. Professor N. Schenmark to Swedenborg
D. Swedenborg's reply to Schenmark .
NOTES TO VOLUME I.
NOTE.
1.— Rev. Thomas Hartley, A.M 599
2.— Dr. Messiter 601
3.— Charles XH 602
4. — Queen Ulrica Eleonora and King Frederic . . . 605
5. — Swedenborg's Sisters and their Husbands .... 607
6. — Ericus Benzehus the younger 607
7. — Jacobus and Henricus Benzehus 609
8. — Lars Benzelstjerna • . . . 610
9. — Bishop Filenius 611
10. — Bishop Lars Benzelstjerna 611
11. — Adolphus Frederic and Louisa Uhica .... 612
12.— Gustavus m 612
13. — Samuel Sandels, Councillor of IMines 613
14.— Christopher Polhem 613
15. — Ludwig Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick .... 615
16. — ^Linnaeus and Swedenborg 616
17.— Prof. Nils Celsius ... 617
18.— Christian von Wolf 617
19.— Cari Robsahm 620
CONTEXTS. XVII
KOTE. PAGE
20. — Carl Frederic Nordenskold 6'J()
21.— The opening ot Swedenborg's Spiritual Sight .... 623
22.— Dr. Beyer 623
23.— Anders Carl Rutstrom 627
24.— Edward Carleson 627
25.— Carl Reinhold Berch 627
26. — Swedenborg on Toothache 627
27.— The Statement that Swedenborg had a Mistress considered . . 628
28. — Count Anders Johan von Hopken 630
29.— Emerentia Polhem 634
30.— Reinhold Riickerskold 634
31. — Swedenborg's marriage engagements 634
32.— Gabriel Polhem 635
33.— Swedenborg's Estrangement from Polhem 635
34.— Abbe Pemety 636
35.— Augustus Nordenskold 639
36.— Charles Bems AVadstrom 644
37. — Swedenborg's marble table 646
38.— John Augustus Emesti (i47
39. — Count Tessin 647
40.— Jacob Bohme 649
41.— Swedenborg and Bohme 650
42.— Swedenborg and Hermetic Philosophy 650
43.— Madame de Mai-teville 653
44.— Bishoi^ Halenius 654
45. — Dr. Johan Rosen 655
46. — Bengt Bergius 656
47. — Peter Schonstrom 6.57
48.— Anrep's "Attar-taflor" 658
49.— Olof Rudbeck 658
50.— Brita Behm 659
51.— Johan Rosenadler 660
52. — Jesper Swedenborg 662
53.— Urban Hjiime 663
64. — Professor Elfvius 664
55.— Dr. Edmund Halley 665
56.— Flamsteed 665
57. — Jean Paul Bignon 666
58. — Ericus Benzelstjema 666
59.— Philippe de Lahire 667
60. — Pierre Varignon 667
61. — Johan Palmqvist 668
xvm
CONTENTS.
KOTE.
62.— Leibnitz . 63.^ — Gustav Chronhjelm 64. — Hedwig Eleonora . 65. — Gustav Benzelstjerna 66.— A. Anders Swab. .
B. Anton Swab. .
C. Johannes Moraeus 67.— Jolian Henric Werner 68.-Starbo . . . o 69.— Eric Esberg . 70— Dr. Roberg . 71. — Professors Valerius 72 -Dr. Magnus Bromell 73.— Georg Stjembjelm 74.— Linea Carolina
75. - Birger Vassenius .
76. Dr. Johan Hesselius 77.— Nils Hasselbom 78.— Baron Gortz . 79.— Count Momer 80.— Martin Ludwig Manderstrom 81. — Albrecbt Schonstrom 82.— Baglivi . 83.— Descartes 84.— Borelli . 85.— Robert Boyle 86. — Count Lagerberg . 87.— Count Carl Gyllenborg 88.— Baron Cederhjelm 89. — Professor Burman 90.— Olof Nordborg 91.— Anders Hesselius 92.— Reaumur 98.- Sir Hans Sloane
94 . —Jonas Alstromer
95. — Abrabam Dan. Schonstrom
96. — Lientenant-Colonel Horleman 97.— Sebastian V. Tham .
98. -Johan Eriedrich Henkel
99. -Dr. Carl Jesj)er Benzelius 100. -Johan Christoph Wolf 101.— Baron Conrad Ribbing
CONTENTS. XIX
NOTE. PACK
102. — Baron Gustav Ralamb 691
103.— Adam Leijel 692
104.— Count AiTid Horn 693
105. — Joachim von Ncrts 693
106.— Baron Feif 694
107.— Axel Cronstedt 694
108.— Harald Lybecker 695
109.— Niklas von Oelreich 695
110. — Anna Fredeiica Ebronborg 695
111.— Peter Hultman 696
112.— Anton and Johan Grill 696
Claes GriU 697
113.— Carl Broman 697
114. — Jennings and Fiulay 698
115.— Count Frederic Gyllenborg 698
Countess Gyllenborg 699
116.— Carl Wilholm Seele 700
117. — Charles Lindegren 701
Johan Spieker 701
118. — Pastor Mathesius 701
119.— Pastor Ferelius 704
120.— Jacob J. Bjonistahl . . . .* 705
121. — Christopher Springer 705
122.— Jonas Cederstedt 709
123.— Anders Stromner 710
124.— David Leijel 710
125. — Johan Bergenstjerna 710
126.— Goran Vallerius 711
127.— Nils Porath 711
128. — Baron Cederstrcim 712
129. — Hans Bierchenius . . 713
130. — Gustav Boneauschold . 713
131. — Stanislaus Leczinsky 714
132. — General Lewenliaupt 715
133. — Councillor Nordcncrantz 715
134. — Baron Carl Frederic von Hopken 717
135. — Baron Palmstjenia 718
136.— Count Scheffer 719
137.— Count Eric Brahe 719
138. — Baron Gustav Jacob Horn 720
139.— Bidenius Renhom 720
140.— Dean Wieselgren 720
XX CONTENTS.
NOTE. PAGE
141.— The De la Gardie family 721
142. — Professor Schenmark 722
143.— Johan Helmik Roman 722
144.— Prof. Andere Celsius 722
14.0. — Magister Olof Hjorter 723
146. — Dr. Andreas Lanaerus 724
147. — Joannes Vastovius 724
148.— Dr. Nordberg 724
SECTION I.
GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
DOCUMENT 1.
LETTER FROM THE REV. THOMAS HARTLEY^ TO EMANUEL SWEDENBORO
WHICH DREW FROM HIM THE LETTER CONTAINING HIS BRIEF AUTO- BIOGRAPHY*
Most respected and beloved Sir,
I consider myself most highly favoured and I rejoice from my inmost heart in having had the honour, which you lately granted me, of conversing with you; and also in your having been so kind and friendly towards me who am quite unworthy of such a favour. But your charity towards the neighbour, the heavenly benignity shining from your coun- tenance, and your childlike simplicity, devoid of all vain show and egotism, are so great, and the treasure of wisdom pos- sessed by you is so sweetly tempered with gentleness, that it did not inspire in me a feeling of awe, but one of love, which refreshed me in my innermost heart. Believe me, 0 best of men, that by my intercourse with you I consider myself crowned with more than royal favours ; for who among kings, if he is of a sane mind, would not gladly converse with an inhabitant of heaven, while here on earth ? But the things which are hidden from the great men upon earth, are revealed to the humble. In speaking with you every suspicion of flattery must be hushed. For what ground for flattery can there be, when I attribute everythmg in you, however great and extraordinary it may be, to the Lord, and not to yourself, and when I look upon you only as an instrument of His mercy and great kindness!
* The Latin originals of Documents 1 and 3 were formerly in Count Engestr(>m's Library, but they are now preserved in the Royal Library of
Stockholm. , ■>
4 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 1.
But may I be permitted to offer honour and glory to the in- strument— for this is well-pleasing to the Lord; and may I be permitted to tell you from a heart full of gratitude, that 1 consider myself thrice blessed, that your writings, by the Divine Providence, have fallen into my hands ? for from them, as from a living fountain, I have drawn so many things, as well for instruction and edification as for my great dehght, and I have been freed by them from so many fears, and from so many errors, doubts, and opinions, which held my mind in perplexity and bondage, that I seem to myself sometimes, as if transferred among the angels. May the Lord, the Highest and Best, forbid that I deceive myself with a vain and premature hope; and may He always keep me in a state of humility and repentance, anxious to shun all evil, and ready to do all good, so that I may safely and happily reach the goal of our destination in the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are many things in my mind, dear Sir, that I should like to ask if time would permit; but may I be allowed to sub- mit to you the following few. In the "Wisdom of Angels con- cerning the Divine Love, n. 221, you say that the Lord (Jehovah) in the world superinduced a humanity over the former humanity. Did not the Lord, therefore, have a two-fold humanity, while on earth, one which was Divine, and another which was natural, and not yet glorified. If it was not so, how can we answer those who urge, in favour of separate persons in God, the fol- lowing words of John xvii, 5: "Father, glorify me with the glory, which I had with Thee, before the world was made?" If, then, He had a twofold humanity, — which of the two said these words to the Divine Essence or to the Father, inasmuch as the former Humanity had not lost the glory, and therefore could not ask for its restoration, and the latter had not yet attained glorification, and therefore could not say, '^Glorify me with the glory, which I had with Thee," &c. Does there not seem to be a dilemma on either side? I do not ask this, because my faith about doctrine can be shaken by a thousand difficulties, but because I should like to answer those who wish to know the reason.
Secondly, If Jehovah had always a Divine Humanity — as I verily believe He had — what need was there, for the purpose
Doc. 1.] LETTER FROM THE REV. T. HARTLEY. 5
of His descent among men, to fill angels with His Divine Essence; and why could He not appear before the patriarchs as God-Man? It is not necessary that you should answer this by a special letter, for I do not wish to interrupt you, who are occupied with more important matters.
Pardon my troubling you so much, but allow me still to add the two following points:
First, If, perchance, after your departure from England, either Dr. Messiter,^ or I, or both of us, should be called upon publicly to defend your writings, and if likewise an occasion should arise of defending you, their author, against some malignant slanderer, who would Avish to injure your reputation by a web of falsehoods — as those are in the habit of doing who hate the truth — would it not be well for you, in order to repel such slanders, and make them recoil upon their origi- nator, to leave with us some particulars respecting yourself, your degi-ees in the University, the public offices which you administered, your friends and relations, the honours which, I am told, have been conferred upon you, and about anything else that might be useful in establishing your good character, so that pernicious prejudices may be removed; for it is our duty to use all lawful means, lest the cause of truth should suffer injury.
Secondly, If, perchance, after your return to Sweden, some persecution should be excited against you by the clergy, on account of your religion — which may God prevent— return, then, I beseech you, to England, where you may dwell in safe- ty. Dr. Messiter and myself mil prepare for you a con- venient place and house, either in town or in the country, and we shall provide for every thing that may conduce to your well-being. This will be no trouble to us, but will give us the greatest possible pleasure.
I commend myself to your favour and affection, and I am, and shall always be, my teacher and most distinguished friend,
with all due reverence.
Your most obliged servant Thos. Haetley. East Mailing, ^ ^^ ^^gg^
near Maidstone, Kent.
To the Honourable ]\Iii. Swedenborg.
DOCUMENT 2.
LETTER FROM ElMANUEL SWEDEKBORG TO THE REV. THOMAS HARTLEY,
CONTAINING HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY*
The friendship which you manifest in your letter greatly pleases me; and I thank you sincerely for both, but especially for your friendship. The praises with which you overwhelm me, I receive simply as expressions of your love for the truths contained in my writings; and I refer them, as their soui'ce, to the Lord, our Saviour, from whom is everything true, be- cause He is the Truth Itself, John, xiv, 6. I have con- sidered chiefly the remarks you make at the close of your letter, where you express yourself as follows: "If, perchance, after your departure from England, your writings should be the subject of discussion, and occasion should arise for de- fending you, their author, against some malignant slanderer, who may wish to injure your reputation by a web of false- hoods — as those are in the habit of doing who hate the truth — would it not be well for you, in order to repel such slanders, to leave mth me some particulars respecting yourself, your
* The Latin original of this letter was printed separately by Dr. Hartley in 1769, under the title: Besponsum ad Ejnstolam ab amico ad me scrip- tarn, and was reprinted in the Aurora, Vol. ii, p. 224, in 1800. The first Enghsh translation of this letter was pubHshed by Mr. Hartley himself, in his Enghsh translation oi Swedenborg's work on the "Intercourse" &c., which he published under the following title: "A Theosophical Lucubration on the Nature of Liflux, as it respects the Communication and Operations of the Soul and Body. By the Honourable and Learned Em. Swedenborg. Now first translated from the original Latin. London. 1770," 4to.
Doc. 2.] S WEDENB ORG'S A UTOBIOGRAPH Y. 7
degrees in the University, the public offices you filled, your friends and relations, the honours which, I am told, have been conferred upon you, and anything else that might be useful in establishing your good character, so that ill-conceived pre- judices may be removed; for it is our duty to use all lawful means, lest the cause of truth should suffer injury." After reflecting on tliis, I have been led to yield to your friendly advice, and will now communicate to you some particulars of my life, which are briefly as follows.
I was born at Stockholm, on the 29th of January in the year 1689. My father's name was Jesper Swedberg;* who was Bishop of West-Gothland, and a man of celebrity in his time. He was also elected and enrolled as a member of the English Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; for he had been appointed by King Charles XIP Bishop over the Swedish churches in Pennsylvania, and also over the church in London. In the year 1710 I went abroad. I proceeded first to England, and afterwards to Holland, France, and Germany, and returned home in the year 1714. In the year 1716, and also afterwards, 1 had many conversations with Charles XII,^ King of Sweden, who greatly favoured me, and the same year offered me an assessorsliip in the College of Mines, which office I filled until the year 1747, when I resigned it, retain- ing, however, the official salary during my life. My sole object in tendering my resignation was, that I might have more leisure to devote to the new office to which the Lord had called me. A higher post of honour was then offered me, which I positively declined, lest my heart should be inspired with pride. In the year 1719, 1 was ennobled by Queen Ulrica Eleonora,* and named Swedenborg; and from that time I have taken my seat among the nobles of the rank of knighthood, in the triennial Diet of the Realm. I am a Fellow and Member, by invitation, of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm; but I have never sought admission into any literary society in any other place, because I am in an angelic society, where such things as relate to heaven and the soul are the only
* A more detailed account of Bishop Jesjjer Swedberg will be found in Documents 9A and 10.
8 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 2,
subjects of discourse; while in literary societies the world and the body form the only subjects of discussion. In the year 1734, I published, at Leipsic, the Regnum Minerale, in three volumes, folio; and in 1738 I took a journey to Italy, and staid a year at Venice and Rome.
With respect to my family connections, I had four sisters.^ One of them was married to Ericus Benzelius,^ who sub- sequently became the Archbishop of Upsal, and through him I became related to the two succeeding archbishops,'' who both belonged to the family of Benzelius, and were younger brothers of liis. My second sister was married to Lars Benzelstierna^ who became a provincial governor; but these two are dead. Two bishops, however, who are related to me, are still living; one of them, whose name is Filenius,^ and who is Bishop of East-Gothland, officiates now as President of the House of the Clergy in the Diet at Stockholm, in place of the Archbishop, who is an invalid; he married my sister's daughter; the other, named Benzelstierna,^" is Bishop of Westmanland and Dalecarlia; he is the son of my secmid sister. Not to mention others of my relations' who occupy stations of honour. Moreover, all the bishops of my native country, who are ten in number, and also the sixteen senators, and the rest of those highest in office, entertain feelings of affection for me; from their affection they honour me, and I live with them on terms of familiarity, as a friend among friends; the reason of which is, that they know I am in com- pany with angels. Even the King and the Queen,^^ and the three princes, their sons, show me great favour: I was also invited once by the King and Queen to dine with them at their own table, wliich honour is generally accorded only to those who are highest in office; subsequently the Crown Prince^^ granted me the same favour. They all desire me to return home; wherefore, I am far from apprehending, in my own country, that persecution, which you fear, and against which in your letter you desire in so friendly a manner to provide; and if they choose to persecute me elsewhere, it can do me no harm.
But all that I have thus far related, I consider of com- paratively little importance; for it is far exceeded by the
Do c . 2.] S WEDENB ORG'S A UTOBIOGRAPHY. 9
circumstance, that I have been called to a holy office by the Lord Himself, who most mercifully appeared before me, His servant, in the year 1743; when He opened my sight into the spiritual worl% and enabled me to converse with spirits and angels, in which state I have continued up to the present day. From that time I began to print and publish the various arcana that were seen by me or revealed to me, concerning Heaven and Hell, the state of man after death, the true worship of God, the spiritual sense of the Word, besides many other most important matters conducive to salvation and wis- dom. The only reason of my journeys abroad has been the desire of making myself useful, and of making known the ar- cana that were entrusted to me. Moreover, I have as much of this world's wealth as I need, and I neither seek nor wish for more.
Your letter has induced me to write all these particulars, in order that as you say "ill -conceived prejudices may be removed." Farewell; and from my heart I wish you all blessedness both in this world, and the next; which I have not the least doubt you will attain, if you look and pray to our Lord.
Eman. Swedenboeg.
DOCUMENT 3.
LETTER FROM THE REV. THOMAS HARTLEY
TO EMANUEL SWEDENBORG;
IN ANSWER TO THE PRECEDING*
Most respected and beloved Sir,
YouE late kindness towards me, as well as j'our letter, which 1 received reverently, as if it had come down to me from heaven, I acknowledge with heart- felt joy and thank- fulness. Your exhortation to perseverance I shall treasure up and cherish in the depth of my heart. May I never, after having once been made the participant of the gifts of heaven, suffer myself to be drawn away from the truth; for of what profit is it to gain the whole world, and lose one's own soul?
You, who are gifted with illumination, have, in your friendly reply, most abundantly satisfied me on the questions I had proposed to you. This is, and will be, of the greatest use to me. Should I be called upon to defend the truth in public, the enemy will not find me altogether unprepared; and I am confident the Lord will provide me with the necessary strength. I neither seek nor avoid such contests. The Lord's will be done in everything.
Allow me to congratulate your noble country on your perform- ing the ofiice of your apostolic mission among your countrymen; and on your being thus honoured by its princes, its governors, and high councillors. 0 happy Swedish nation, and happy ye its chiefs, who acknowledge and receive the Lord in your
* This letter, which was formerly in the hbrary of Count Engestrom, is now preserved in connection with Document 1 in the Royal Library in Stock- holm. From this answer it appears that Mr. Hartley did not pubhsh the whole of Document 2; for Swedenborg had evidently written to liim on some points which are not mentioned in the letter, as it has been published.
Doc. 3.] LETTER FROM THE REV. T. HARTLEY. 1 1
apostle! Blessed, indeed, shall ye be, if your life be the same as your faith! O England, my beloved country, how greatly I desire that the same opportunity may arise of congratulating you on your receiving your o^vn [apostles of the truth]! But, most distinguished Sir, permit even me, from my obscure posi- tion, to ofi'er you, in the name of my country, our most heart- felt thanks for your love towards us, for your journeys hither and your sojourn in our midst, and for your indefatigable labours in behalf of our salvation — for who else is there to express all this to you, except my own unworthy self? Truly, those great offices oT charity you have performed for us, de- serve our most heartfelt acknowledgments; but with sorrow I pass over in silence the little fruit they have thus far borne amongst us.* May the Lord, the Highest and Best, grant that a rich harvest may at last flourish and become matured among us Britons, from the seed you have sown!
About myself and my affairs I willingly keep silence; for I regard myself as of no consequence, and as a mere nothing ; yet I am prepared to answer truly and fully all your questions ; and if, after your return to Sweden, you should at any time do me the honour, to address a letter to me, and to make use of my services in any way whatsoever, you will find me a will- ing and delighted servant. Instruct me, exhort me, dispose of me in any way whatever; for if I know myself sufficiently, it will be the greatest pleasure to me to obey your admoni- tions and commands, and you will find me faithful to all my promises. But if you will not do me this honour, it will be enough for me to remember you always above all others, to love you always; and to have had you for my teacher in Di- vine things.
Most honoured Sir,
I am, with all due reverence,
Your most obedient servant East Mailing Thos. Hartley.
near Maidstone, Kent. August 14. 1769.
To The Honourable Mr. Swedenborg.
* This can hardly be said now, inasmuch as England has been foremost in spreading the doctrines taught by Swedenborg, while the New Church has but a feeble existence in Swedenborg's native country.
DOCmiENT 4.
EULOGIUM ON EMANUEL SWEDENBOEO,
•
PRONOUNCED IN THE GREAT BALL OF THE HOUSE OF NOBLES, IN THE NAME OF THE ROTAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF STOCKHOLM, OCT. 7, 1772, BY SAMUEL SANDELS," COUNSELLOR OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MINES, AND MEM- BER OF THE SAID ACADEMY*
GENTLEsiEisr, allow me, on the present occasion, to direct your thoughts, not to a distant or wearisome subject, but to one
* The Swedish original of this Eulogium was printed by the Koyal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, in the year 1772, with the foIlo%\-ing title: "Oration to the Memoiy (Aminnelse-Tal) of the late member of the Academy of Sciences, Herr Emanuel Swedenborg, Assessor in His Royal Majesty's and the country's College of Mines, deHvered on account of the Royal Academy of Sciences in the great hall of the House of Nobles, October 7, 1772, by Samuel Sandels,i3 Counsellor of IVIines, Knight of the Polar Star, and member of said Academy. Stockholm, printed by Lars Salvius, 1772." — A French translation of this oration was pubhshed soon afterwards, and this was made use of by the Academician Pemety, in his account of Swedenborg, contained in his French translation of "Heaven and Hell," 1782. An Enghsh version of this French translation was issued by the Aurora press, in 1799, or 1800; followed by a collection of "Anec- dotes and Observations on Emanuel Swedenborg." In 1802, a new French translation of this oration was printed in the Introduction to a French version of the "True Ciu'istian Rehgion," in which the editor stated that his version of this oration was more faithful to the original Swedish, than that printed by Pemety. Of this second French translation the Rev. S. Noble prepared an Enghsh translation, and furnished it -with "Introductory Obsen-ations, exhibiting the claims of tlie writings of Swedenborg to the attention of the public." Mr. Noble's translation, and also his "Introductory Observations," were transferred by the Rev. J. H. Smithson to his Enghsh edition of the "Documents concerning Emanuel Swedenborg collected by Dr. Im. Tafel," who had made his German translation from the Swedish original. The present is the first Enghsh version prepared immediately from the Swedish original.
Doc. 4.] E UL OGI UM ON S WEDENB ORG. 13
which it is both a duty and a pleasure for us to consider, namely, the memory of a noble man, celebrated alike for his virtues and the depth of his knowledge, who was one of the oldest members of this Academy, and whom w'e all knew and loved.
The feeling of affection and high esteem which we all entertained for the late Assessor of the Royal College of Mines, Emanuel Swedenboeg, assures me, that you will love to hear me speak of him; and happy shall 1 be, if I can fulfil your desire, and pronounce his eulogy as he deserves. But if, as artists declare, there are some countenances, of which it is difficult to give an exact likeness; how much more dif- ficult will it be to do justice to a vast and sublime genius, who never knew either repose or fatigue; who, occupied with sciences the most profound, was long engaged with researches into the secrets of nature, but in later years applied all his efforts to unveil still greater mysteries; who, in respect to certain principles of knowdedge, went his own separate way, but never lost sight of the principles of morality and the fear of God; who was possessed of remarkable power, even in the decline of his age, and boldly tried to find how far the power of thought could be stretched; and who, during the whole of this time, has furnished materials for a great variety of thoughts and judgments upon himself, differing from one another as much as do the faculties of the men who think and judge.
The more brilliant the faculties and other properties which are the gifts of nature, the more clearly appear the shadows by which they are attended. It is only those influenced by mere curiosity who, on the appearance of some new light, see on all sides nothing but marvels and wonders, even in mere shadow's. The shallow, on the other hand, see trifles in every thing ; quickness of apprehension in their eyes is superficiality ; deep thought dreaminess; learning appears to them whimsical; experiments they regard as mistakes; and the fathoming of hidden things they consider as a proof of insanity, and so forth. The wise man, however, loves to hold fast to the good, and does not reject a rich ore because it contains some heterogeneous substance, indicating its origin. He explores the deviations of the needle, not for the purpose of doing away with it, Ijut in
14 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 1.
order, with proper care, to make the best use of this incom- parable guide. He values a penetrating eye, even though upon some occasion it should unguardedly look into the sun, or rivet itself upon an object which is too distant, and should, in consequence, become for a while disturbed; he never judges any one; and least of all can he judge micharitably a man Hke SwEDENBOEG, who worked so unremittingly and so zea- lously in the cause of knowledge and enhghtenment, that, with the single exception, perhaps, of his desire to penetrate too deeply, there is nothing whatever in his whole character with which we can find fault.
The beautiful picture of his life, although it contain some involved parts, deserves therefore to be carefully examined.
The excellent Bishop of Skara, Dr. Jesper Swedberg,* a man full of zeal but without bigotry, was still chaplain of the Royal Horse-guards, when his first wife, Sarah Behm, daughter of Albert Behm, Assessor in the College of Mines, brought him his second son, Emanuel Swedenborg; who was born at Stockholm, the 29th of January, IGSS.-j- He was called Swedenboeg from the time, when he, together with his brothers and sisters, was elevated to the rank of nobility, in 1719.
Nature and art both contribute in beautifying the earth, but birth and education in adorning the human race. Allowance, however, must also be made for malformations. For a choice fruit-tree does not always preserve its qualities in propaga- tions from its fruit-seeds. This is due mostly to the modi- fications which are effected in a fruit-tree by art, by which the nature of its fruit is changed; but which are unable to prevent the nature of the root from affecting the nature of the fruit. Experience teaches us that there are many similar
* For a detailed account of Dr. Jesper Swedberg, see Document 10.
•}■ According to a letter written by Assessor Swedenborg in Latin, and printed in London in 1769, the year of his birth is said to be 1689; but this is an error of the printer: for according to his own statement made to the House of Nobles, and according to the Register of the Nobility, compiled by the Councillor of Chancery, von Stiernman, together with other certain proofs, he was born in 1688.
There is, however, an error in the said Register in regard to Sweden- borg's birth-place; for Upsal is mentioned there instead of Stockholm. — Note by S. Sandels.
Doc. 4.] EULOGIUM ON SWEDENBORG. 15
influences operating in our own species. But it would be hazardous, on the strength of what has here been stated, to attempt to declare how much certain virtues in a family owe to the root, and how much to art.
Still it cannot be denied, that, so long as any one has not rendered himself unworthy, this fact alone inspires confidence, and operates in his favour, if it is known that he descends from what is justly called a good family; a family, whose home, whether large or small, has always been the dwelling- place of virtue and honour; and which has been a good and excellent nm-sery of usefid citizens in all kinds of trades and professions; a family, in fact, like that from which our SwEDENBOEa derived his origin, and which was an old, honest, and . intelligent family of miners in the neighbourhood of the "Storalvopparberget" [the "great copper-mountain" nearFahlun]. In this family, a miner, of the name of Daniel Isacsson,* and his wdfe Anna Bullernasia,-{- are held in honourable remembrance as the parents of the ancestors of the noble families of the Schonstroms and of the Swedenborgs, and of the honourable family of the Swedbergs. :j: I remember to have seen a family- register, in the form of a genealogical tree, which showed how this family spread and extended in every branch, and became incorporated with many other illustrious and celebrated families of these times. But as our Swedenborg, on his part, did not trouble himself with enlarging this genealogical tree, I too shall pass it by, and follow him.
But, with liim as a leader, I shall not dwell long on the years of his childhood, nor shall I lose time in discussing the exercises of his youth; for he himself pressed rapidly onward to reach the age of manhood.
A son of Bishop Swcdberg could not fail to receive a good education, according to the tastes of his times, by which he
* For some particulars respecting Swedenborg's paternal grandfather Daniel Isacsson, see Documents 7 and 9A, and the beginning of Doc- ument 10.
f Concerning Bullcmasius, the father-in-law of Daniel Isacsson, see Document 7 and also the beginning of Document 10.
\ Concerning the members of the "family Swedberg, see Document 7.
16 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
would be led to acquire habits of steadiness, reflection, and industry, and would become thoroughly acquainted with those branches of knowledge, which he was to cultivate. Times and customs change. I am speaking of the youth of a Swedenborg; and what need is there for me to expatiate further on the thoughtful care which was bestowed on his education; on his own thoughtfulness in making the best use of advantages which are enjoyed, comparatively, by but few, and which are neglected by many of those who do enjoy them; on his extraordinary tal- ents, which supported the native bent of his genius; on his per- severance; on his early maturity? What more striking proof of all this can be given, than that a King, of a most penetrating mind, graciously cheered him on, and at the proper time made use of his capacities; that a King, like Charles XIl,^ in J.716, at a time when Swedenborg was still a student, appointed him, at the age of twenty eight, Extraordinary Assessor in the Royal College of Mines, without his seeking for the place, and without any one else recommending him for it ; and what is more, that at the same time he was free to choose between this assessorship and a professorship at the Royal University in Upsal?
An enlightened and wise ruler does not in this manner promote an uncultivated and inexperienced youth to an important office in the state.
Mr. Swedberg was even then vrell-known, both in his own country and abroad, by his acquisitions in general literature and in science, and by his worthy demeanour. Still, at that time the learned had not included his name in the lists of celebrated authors. An academical disputation, which he published at Upsal in 1709,* may, indeed, be regarded as a clever work for a youth, but as in some parts not altogether a proof of sound learning. Likewise, a printed collection of Latin verses,-|- which he wrote about 1710, and in the following years, for different occasions, manifested, indeed, a remarkable
* The subject of this disi^utation was: L. Anncei Senecce et Pub. Syri Mimi, forsan et Aliormn Selectee Sententice, cum annotationibns Erasmi et grceca versione Scalifferi, notis illustrate. — S. ISandels.
\ This collection of Latin verses is printed in Skara, under the title: Ludus Heliconius sive carmina miscellanea, qiice variis in locis cecinit Em. Sivedbevff. — S. Sandels.
Doc. 4.] EULOGIUM ON SWEDENBORG. 17
readiness of wit, and showed that he had made a good use of his time in youth — it is such a work, indeed, as many- could have wished to have written at such an age — but still, poetry w^as not liis forte, nor was it his business. His mathematical and physical experiments and remarks, which he published under the title of Dmlalus Hijperhoreus* , in six separate numbers, he did not begin until 1716. Did this Dsedalus, presented by a new and young author, signify that perhaps a portion of his remaining works would partake of the character of a labyrinth? But we must not measure his youthful power simply by those products of his mind which saw the light up to this time; for the press is not the only witness of learning. Moreover, its testimony is not always reliable; for an insignificant treatise often bears a pretentious title. The most trustworthy authors are those who take the proper time at first in laying a foundation. And this was done by young Swedberg, not only in the university at Upsal, but afterwards in the universities of England, Holland, France, and Grermany.
We shall have now to follow him in many long journeys, undertaken for various purposes and pursuits, and at times in ways where it is easy to go astray; and in order that in his society no doubt or uncertainty may arise in your minds, which often happens when one has not fully examined the character and disposition of another, picture to yourselves an harmonious development of memory, understanding, and judgment; imagine these qualities united with an intense desire of the heart, which can only be satisfied by the ceaseless endeavour to become pro- foundly learned in philosophy, in almost all parts of mathe- matics, in natural history, physics, chemistry, in anatomy, and even in theology, and to acquire proficiency in the Oriental and European languages; keep in mind, also, the power of habit, which in a certain manner acts in accordance with reason, certainly in respect to the order of thought; and remember that our thoughts when too much engaged with, and centred
* All the numbers were published in 4to at Stockholm in the Swedish language; but Die fifth number was also translated into, and printed in, Latin. — S. Sandels.
18 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
upon, abstract subjects, are wont to carry us away in the same direction, and sometimes too fast, — especially when accompanied with an ardent imagination — so that we are unable properly to discriminate the objects that come before us. Add to all this a genuinely good disposition, proved by the Rules of Life which I found among Mr. Swedenborg's manuscripts in more than one place, and which he wrote down for his own use: First, diligently to read and meditate upon the word of God ; secondli/, to be content under the dis- pensations of God's Providence; thirdly, to ohserye a propriety of behaviour, and preserve the conscience pure; fourthly, to obey what is commanded; to attend faithfully to one's office and other duties, and in addition to make oneself useful to society in general.
Any one who says that I have here presented any other than the manifest and truthful features of Swedenborg's inner being, must be prejudiced either on the one side or on the other. Let such a one consider more closely what I have already said, and what I have still further to say.
Let us hasteri to receive liim on his return home from his first journey abroad, which we have already mentioned; when we shall find his thoughts principally taken up with mathematics and physics.
These studies soon procured him an acquaintance, and an intimate connection during several years, with our Swedish Archimedes, Christopher Polhammar, then Assessor, and after- wards Counsellor of Commerce and Commander of the Royal Order of the North Star, under the name of Polliem.^*
By means of this connection he not only obtained access to the greater light which he sought, especially in mechanics, but he shared the special confidence with which King Charles XII had already honoured Polhammar, and which he thereafter extended to both. For this reason, also, it is stated in the diploma, by which he received his appointment as Assessor, and which was issued at Lund, December 18, 1716, that the King had particular regard to the excellent knowledge of Swedberg in mechanics, and that he was to accompany Assessor Polhammar, and be of assistance to him in his structures, and his various mechanical works. Tliis diploma, together with
Doc. 4.] EULOGIUM ON SWEDENBOBG. 19
the record in Dr. Norberg's history of Charles XII of the con- versations between the King and these two profound and learned men, on mechanics and mathematics, on the analytic and al- gebraical calculus, on our Swedish method of reckoning, and on several other subjects, prove that the King looked upon these two men of genius as if intended for one anotlier, and adapted to work together with their united strength. The King also made use of their knowledge and penetration which, in respect to mechanics, was, in each of them, combined Avitli a happy faculty of invention.
This is not the place to speak of the great structures of Polhem, of the v.cll-known dyke at Lyckeby, the locks of Trolhiitta, the dry-docks of Carlscrona, and other works.
Swedberg, however, executed, on his part, a work of con- siderable importance, when during the siege of Frederickshall, in 1718, he transported by a system of rollers, over moun- tains and valleys, two galleys, five large boats, and one sloop, from Stromstadt to the Iddefjord, which separates Sweden fi'om Norway on the south; a distance of 2^ Swedish [about 14 English] miles. By this feat the King was enabled to carry out his plans, and, under cover of the galleys and large boats, convey on pontoons a heavier artillery under the walls of Frederickshall, than he could have done by land*. It is thus that the sciences and their proper application always be- come useful, and frequently accomplish what without them no mortal power could efi'ect.
Mechanics did not, however, occupy the whole of his time. He not only pubhshed, in 1717 and 1718, a continuation of the Doedalus Hyperboreus ; but in 1718 he printed an In- troduction to Algebra, under the title of Eegelkonsten ; in 1719, "A Proposal so to arrange our coins and measures, as to facilitate computation and abolish fractions"; and in the same year a dissertation "On the orbit and position of the earth and of the planets"; and another, "On the height of the water, and the greater flux and reflux of the sea in former ages; with proofs furnished from Sweden". At the same time he wrote,
* For further pailiculars respecting this undertaking, see Docu- ment 197.
2*
20 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
or at least began to write, treatises on various other subjects, as we shall presently see by information from foreign countries. Up to this time he had not entered upon his duties as Assessor in the Royal College of Mines. He did not desire to do so before he had thoroughly mastered the science of mining in its whole extent. We must not place him in the same category with those, who work themselves into offices of whose duties they know nothing; or, what is worse, of which they are able to learn nothing, on the principle that "out of nothing, nothing can come". He obtained an office which he had never solicited. At that time, indeed, he was tho- roughly versed in certain sciences, with which alone he could have been of great use in his office in some particular branches of mining; and it would have been easy for him to acquire all the remaining knowledge wliich he still wanted; for those sciences to which he had hitherto mostly devoted himself, — mathematics and physics, are the pillars of the science of min- ing; but he could not content himself with theory without practice. Neither could he satisfy himself with experiment- ing in a chemical laboratory, and acquainting liimself with Swedish mines and their structure, and studying their me- thods of working. For this reason he undertook a second journey abroad, in 1721, and examined various foreign mines and smelting - works, particularly those of Saxony and the Hartz. But he did not examine mines only; for nothing ever escaped him that merited the attention of a traveller.
During his stay in the Duchy of Brunswick, he enjoyed the particular favour of Duke Ludwig Rudolph^^, and the Duke, in consequence, bore the expenses of his journey in his dominions, and upon taking leave presented him with his medallion in gold, and with a piece of plate.
During this journey he acquired new stores of knowledge, and enriched science with the following new works:
1. Prodromus principiorum rerum natiiralium, sive novorum tentaminum cliemiam et pJiysicam experimentalem geometrice explicayidi.
2. Nova dbservata et inventa circa ferrum et ignem, prce- cipue naturam ignis elementarem, una cum nova caniini in- ventione.
Do c. 4.] E UL OGI UM ON S WEDEXB ORG, 2 1
3. Metliodus nova inveniendi longitiuJines locorum, terra marique, ope L/iinw.
4. Modus construendi receptacida navalia, vidgo "DocJce- hygynader."
5. Nova constructio aygeris aquatici.
6. Modus mecJianice exiilorandi virtutes naviyiontm.
All these works were printed at Amsterdam, in 1721; and second editions of them were puhlished in 1727.
7. Miscellanea observaia circa res naturales et idrcesertim mineralia, igneni et montiiwi strata, three parts printed at Leipsic, and the fourth at Hamburg, in 1722.
Who else, except perhaps Linna^us,^" has given such an account of a journey abroad, and of one of so short duration? For after an absence of a year and a half, he, in 1722, gladdened his country by his return.
During the following years he divided his time between the College of Mines, the mining districts, and his study, until, in the year 1733, he had finished liis great work, entitled: Opera Fliilosopliica et Mineralia, He then went abroad for one year, to see this work, which was published at Dresden and Leipsic, through the press; meanwhile he under- took a separate journey, in order to visit the Austrian mines.
This last work consists of three volumes, folio; the first volume co\\i2ims : Principia rerum natiiralium, sivenovorum tenta- minum, phmnomena inundi elementaris pMlosophice explicandi; the second: Regnum siditerraneum sive minerale deferro; the third: Regnum sid)terraneum. sive minerale de cupro et oriclialco. These volumes, being all solid, scientific compositions, illustrated with copper-plates, could not fail to raise among the learned abroad the favourable ideas which they already entertained of the Swede, Swedenborg.
The Consistory of the University, and the Society of Sci- ences at Upsal felt proud at having previously recognised the merits of our countryman, and at having publicly testified the high esteem in which they held him; for the consistory had, in 1724, invited him, "for the advantage of youth, and as an ornament of the university," to apply for the professorship of the higher mathematics, which had become vacant by the death of Professor Nils Celsius," but which invitation he
22 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
thankfully declined; and the Society of Sciences had admitted him into the number of its members in 1729.
The learned abroad, also, hastened to send him marks of their esteem.
The Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg, by a letter of invitation, dated December 17, 1734, desired to admit him among its corresponding members.
Christian Wolff, ^^ and other foreign men of learning addressed him by letter, in order to obtain his ideas on sub- jects which they found it difficult to fathom.
The editors of the Acta Eruditorum in Leipsic, in which the contents of the works of the learned are discussed and impartial opinions pronounced upon them, found in his work a rich store with which to adorn their pages.
Nor has time deprived this work of any of its value. The authors of the magnificent Descriptions des arts et metiers, which is now in course of'pubhcation in France, thought so highly of that part of the Opera Philosophica et Mineralia, which covers the same ground as their own publication, that they translated the second part, which treats of iron and steel, and inserted it entire in their collection.
Our E,oyal Academy, also, when it was founded, hastened to enroll among its first members a man, who already held so distinguished a rank in other learned societies.
I have hitherto spoken only of one part of Swedenborg's works ; but the others take a different direction. Let us there- fore dwell a little longer on the former.
These works are unmistakable proofs, that his desire for learning extended in all directions, and that he by preference occupied liimself with studies which cannot be mastered without mature judgment and profound thought. No one can charge him with having wished to shine in borrowed plumes, or with re-arranging and giving a different colouring to the work of others, and then publishing it under his own name; for everywhere we perceive, that he did not depend upon others, but followed his own thoughts, and often made obser- vations and applications wliicli cannot be found in any other author of his times: nor can he, like the majority of those who make it a point to acquire encyclopsedic knowledge, be
Doc. 4.1 EUL OGIUM ON S WEDENB ORG. 23
charged with having reniaiued on the surface only; for he applied liis whole strength in attempting to fathom the in- most recesses of things, and to connect together the various links into one universal chain, and show their derivation in a certain order from their first origin: neither can he be accused by any one of having, like other mathema- ticians and physicists, made use of the light he discovered during his researches, to hide from liimself and others, and, if possible, to extinguish, the greatest light of all; for in his constant meditations on the work of creation, he con- tinually found reasons for acknowledging and adoring the Lord of nature.
But let us suppose ourselves engaged in analyzing a great mechanical work. We were not present at its construction; nor have Ave penetrated to all its moving springs, and there- fore from the effects only, with which even we are not per- fectly acquamted, we are obliged to judge of the whole struc- ture. AVhat are we to do? Each one assumes certain prin- ciples of his own, which appear to him most probable, and under their guidance endeavours to advance step by step. This is the course which our greatest thinkers have pursued in speculative philosophy, Happy they who, in unfolding sub- lime subjects, have been least unintelligible! For although, even with the greatest perspicuity and the profoundest insight, they have not always succeeded in penetrating the depths of know- ledge, or in keeping clear of error, still they have been often instrumental in opening new avenues for the exercise of our reason; or at least, one thought has led to another, and, finally, been productive of more reliable information.
Alchemists, — but not those that were merely ignorant empirics — by their unceasing experiments led the way to invaluable discoveries in chemistry, although they did not dis- cover the art of making gold.
I am perhaps not mistaken in believing, that, from the time when our Swedenborg began to build his thoughts upon his own ground, he cherished a hidden fire to fathom the most secret things, and that, even then, he was seeking for ways, by which to reach his object; at least, a comparison of his earlier
24 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
with Ms later works, although they treat on different subjects, leads us to think so.
He looked upon the universe at large, in the same hght as he looked upon its parts, which can be examined with greater certainty. He saw that all is ruled simultaneously in a certain order, and according to fixed laws. He paid parti- cular attention to those parts of this great system which can be examined mathematicallj^
He, therefore, imagined that the all -wise Creator had brought every thing, even in its hidden parts, into a certain mutual agreement; and this agreement he sought to bring out in his capacity of mathematician and physicist, by progressing from the less to the greater, and from that which may be distinguished by the naked eye to that which requires the aid of the magnifying glass. And, finally, he developed for himself a complete system, based upon a certain mechanism, and supported by logic ; a system which is so carefully constructed, that there is much in it, in many respects, for the learned to reflect upon. As to the unlettered, they had better not meddle with it.
According to this system he explained everything wliich, either by experience or by sound reasoning, could become an object of thought.
If we do not accept the whole, there is at least much that is good to be gleaned from it. But he went still further. He desired to combine this system with the doctrine of salvation.
With this we find him occupied during most of the time, after he had published his Opeixt P]iiloso])hica et Mineralia.
He spent a great part of his later years abroad; for after the year 1736 he made eight different journeys into foreign countries, mostly to England and Holland; but during the journey he commenced in the year 1736, and wliich continued to 1740, he visited also France and Italy. His principal ob- ject in these journeys was the printing of new works.
I cannot help being filled with astonishment, in reflect- ing upon his extraordinary industry; for besides numerous treatises, and among them the great work I have already mentioned, he was the author of the following different works:
Doc. 4.] EUL0GIU21 ON SWEDENBORG. 25
1. Dodronms pJiilosophice ratiocinantis cle Injinito, de causa creationis, et de Mechanismo operationis animce et corporis. Printed in Dresden, 1733.
2. (Economia regni anhiudis. 2 parts, published at Amster- dam; the hrst in 1740, and the second in 1741.
3. Rcgmun anlmale. 3 parts; two printed at the Hague, 1744, and the third in London, 1745.
4. De cidtu et amore Dei. London, 1745.
5. Arcana ccelestia. 8 parts, pubHshed at different periods from 1749 to 1756.
6. De idtimo judicio.
7. De ccelo et inferno.
8. De equo alho.
9. De telluribiis in mundo solari, seu planetis, et de tellu' rihus in ccelo astrifero et illorum incolis.
10. De nova Hierosolyma. Printed in London, 1758.
11. De amore conjugiali et scortatorio. Amsterdam, 1768.
12. Sapientia angelica de Divino amore etde Divina sapientia.
13. Doctrina novce Hierosolynice de Domino. Printed in Amsterdam, 1763.
14. Sapientia angelica de Divina providentia. Amsterdam, 1764.
15. A2)ocaly])sis revelata. Amsterdam 1766.
16. Summaria expositio doctrince novce ecclesice.
17. De commercio animcB et corporis. London, 1769.
18. Vera Cliristiana religio. Printed in Amsterdam, 1771. The titles of all these works point out lofty themes ; and
although they treat of different subjects, and follow different lines of argument, being based upon anatomy, physics, and philosophy, upon explanations of the Sacred Scriptures, and, according to his own statement, upon revelations, still, owing to his way of treating them, they all lead to meditations on the Supreme Being, the human soul, with other invisible and spiritual things, and the life after death.
"We thus find, liigh above in the clouds, him whom a little while ago we followed into mines, smelting-iurnaces, and work- shops; and we find liim alike industrious and zealous, and alike given to allegorical illustrations.
26 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
His latter works being of sucli a nature, he was unable to discharge his duties at the Eoyal College of Mines beyond the year 1747. In this year, at his own request, he obtained his Majesty's permission to retire from his office of Assessor. This request was accompanied by two others, which were also granted; the first was, that he might enjoy, during the rest of his life, half his salary as Assessor; the other, that he should not be promoted to a higher rank or title. Such distinctions are commonly much sought after, as implying that paper should go as far, and be worth as much, as the real coin — hut fahula docet
Although I have not extensively examined the Sweden- borgian works I have just enumerated, I have, nevertheless, been confirmed by them in the ideas I have already expressed, with regard to the system which he followed, viz., that he explained both the visible and the invisible agreeably to the system he had adopted; that he drew conclusions from the visible respecting the invisible, and that he represented to himself another, spiritual world, in entire conformity with the world in which we live. He therefore attributed to the other life degrees similar to those in this life, by which every thing ascends into a higher state of purity and perfection; nay, he laid down a sort of harmony in inclinations and occupations, conveniences and difficulties, enjoyments and sufferings. Fully occupied by these vivid ideas which presented themselves to him, when he came to examine the Scriptures he connected them with his philosophical principles. Nay, while describing the spiritual after his own manner, he was unable to get rid of the ideas which are derived from our material being; but he insisted that they must be taken in a spiritual sense. Well. But there is danger, that a person may thus be led to trust too much to the imagination, and be too easily carried away by an illusion of the senses.
I am not quite sure whether Bishop Swedberg, although he was a great and celebrated teacher, had not a certain leaning in this direction. Some of his writings seem to manifest something of this kind. At least, he seemed inclined to look upon certain occurrences, as if they contained a special significance.
Doc. 4.] EUL OGI UM ON S WEDENB ORG. 27
It is a better characteristic in a priest to believe too much than too little. But how very easily might not something of this sort of over-belief have place with his learned son, if an hereditary inclination supported and strengthened an effect, which is naturally produced, when any one resolves to examine, at the same time, that which is presented to his senses and that which is beyond the sphere of their knowledge, nay, beyond the limits assigned to the light of reason.
I have perhaps dwelt too long already upon what Sweden- BOEG wrote on spiritual subjects, inasmuch as these are not topics for an Academy of Sciences. It suffices that his good qualities and merits are conspicuous even on that side, where we look for those weaknesses in him which are inseparable from human nature.
I have not risen in this place to define errors or dogmas that are difficult to be understood; but I venture to say, and I am sure you will agree with me, that where others generally exhibit a lack of intelligence and confusion of thought, our SwEDEKBORG displays an uncommon wealth of knowledge, which, in accordance with his system, he reduced into such order, that not even the elements were able to turn him out of his course.
If his desu'e of knowledge went too far, it still bears witness to his great zeal for enlightening himself and others; for we cannot discover in him any sign of arrogance, rashness, or intention to deceive.
If he cannot be numbered among the doctors of the Church, he still deserves to be counted among ingenious moral- ists ; and to be set up as a pattern of virtue and of reverence for his ]\Iaker; for in him there was no sort of double dealing.
If I were called upon frankly to state his faults, I should imagine to myself some one who devoted his whole time to the preparation of a universal solvent — a menstruum which would solve everything that either nature or art had produced, without remembering that no vessel could preserve it. Our Swedenborg was not satisfied with knowing much; he desired to knoAv more than can be comprehended by any man here below, in that state of imperfection which belongs to him while the soul dwells in a frail material body.
28 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 4.
Any one who condemns this fault, cannot be regarded as impartial, so long as he does not first inveigh against those who ought to know much, and yet who know nothing.
But it is not so easy to he displeased with a man who was endowed with so many fine qualities.
He had a sincere love for mankind ; and in examining the disposition of others, he always endeavoured first to find this virtue, as a sure indication of many good qualities besides.
He was cheerful and pleasant in company, and as a recreation from his severe labours, he enjoyed intercourse with intelligent persons, by whom he was always well received and much respected. He could also properly meet, and playfully direct into a different channel, that kind of curiosity which frequently desires to obtrude itself into the consideration of serious things.
He was an honest servant of the state, who paid strict attention to the performance of his duties; the only thing he neglected in his public capacity, was to apply for any office when it was vacant. Having been called, unexpectedly, to an honourable post, he remained satisfied with it during the rest of his official career; and when his other occupations no longer permitted him to devote sufficient time to his official duties, he preferred to resign, being to the end of his life satisfied with the title of the office he had filled during thirty- one years.
He was a worthy member of this Royal Academy; and although in course of time he entered upon the study of other than academic subjects, still not wishing to remain a useless member, he enriched its Transactions with a description of inlaid work in marble, for tables, and other ornamental ar- ticles.*
As a member of the House of Nobles, he attended several Diets of the Realm, without incurring the reproaches either of himself or of others.
During his life there were several occupants of our throne, and during all these changes he enjoyed the favour of every reigning sovereign. Good sense, learning, and virtue secure this favour under enlightened governments. And what people,
* The paper refeiTed to here is Document 202 of the present work.
Doc. 4.] EULOGIUM ON SWEDENBORG. 29
at the present time, has in this respect more cause for rejoic- ing than we?
Our SwEDENBORG (and this I mention not as one of his merits) remained during the whole of his life unmarried. But this was not owing to any indiiference to the sex; for he esteemed the company of a fine and intelligent woman as one of the purest sources of delight; but liis profound studies required that in his house there should be perfect stillness both day and night. He, therefore, preferred being alone.
He enjoyed a most excellent state of bodily health, having scarcely ever been indisposed; and, as he was always content ^nthin himself and with his circumstances, he spent a life which was, in every respect, happy, nay, which was happy in the very highest degree. At last nature demanded her rights. During liis last sojourn abroad, while residing in London, he had on December 24, of last year, an attack of apoplexy, and on the 29th of last March departed this life, in his eighty- fifth year, rich in the honourable monuments which he left behind him, satisfied with his life upon earth, and joyful at the prospect of his final change.
May the Royal Academy continue to retain many of its eminent and useful members to so advanced an age!
DOCUMENT 5. ROBSAHM'S^' MEMOmS OF SWEDENBORG-.
The Swedish original of these memoirs in Rohsahm's own handwriting, which had heen in the possession of Dean Kalil in Lund, was presented by him to the editor of these Documents in 1868, during his stay in Sweden for the purpose of photo- lithographing the unpublished MSS. of Swedenborg. These memoirs have never been printed in Swedish. Dean Kahl trans- lated them into German, and sent his translation to Dr. Im. Tafel of Tubingen, who published this translation in the third part of his Swedenborg documents. It is remarkable that these memoirs have never before been translated into English. The English editor of the "Documents collected by Dr. Im. Tafel" has in his volume an article entitled: "Anecdotes collected by Mr. Robsahm;" yet this article is by no means a translation of the Eobsahm Memoirs which were published by Dr. Im. Tafel — in fact it could not have been a translation of them, because Dr. Tafel published these Memoirs in the third part of his "Documents", which appeared in 1842, while the first English edition of the documents, containing the "Anecdotes collected by Mr. Robsahm", appeared in 1841. The Documents contained in Parts III and IV of Dr. Im. Tafel's work, ivitli the exceptioti of the real Robsahm Memoirs, appeared subsequently in the "Intellectual Repository," and were afterwards added as an appendix to the former volume. On analyzing the article entitled "Anecdotes collected by Mr. Robsahm," which figures in the English and American editions of the "Documents collected by Dr. J. F. I. Tafel," it proves to be composed of two separate accounts of Swedenborg, which are mixed up arbitrarily; i\\e first of these is "the Life of Emanuel Sweden-
Doc. 5.] BOBSAHM'S MEMOIRS. 31
borg", which appeared in the "New Jerusalem Magazine" of 1790; the second is Pernety's account of Swedenborg, which appeared as an introduction to his French transhxtion of "Heaven and Hell", and which was included by Dr. Tafel in his collection. Neither of these accounts is fully embodied in the "Anecdotes collected by Mr. Robsahm", but the editor alternately takes some paragraphs from the "New Jerusalem Magazine", and from "Pernety's account", leaving out arbi- trarily large portions of both. It is true Mr. Robsahm's col- lection was drawn upon by the writers of both these accounts, yet a considerable number of statements are made in the com- position called "Anecdotes collected by Mr. Robsahm", which Robsahm never made, and which the English editor wrongly ascribes to him, Avithholding at the same time the real "Rob- sahm's Memoirs" from his readers. For a further account of the histoiy of Robsahm's "Memoirs", see Notes 19 and 20. The English translation of these memoirs given below is pre- pared immediately from the Swedish original; the numbers of the paragraphs have been inserted by the editor, for the sake of convenient reference.
1. The late Assessor Emanuel Swedenborg, who by his works became so celebrated throughout Europe, died in London, on jSIarch 29, 1772, in his eighty-fifth year. A well merited eu- logium was pronounced upon him in the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, on October 7, 1772. But posterity may perhaps be interested in knowing that which characterized this noble man at home, and in his intercourse with his friends ; and as, since the death of his two old servants, a gardener and his Avife, there are only a few of those still living, who were on terms of intimacy with him, who were acquainted with his habits of life, and who could relate their conversations with him on the subject of his visions and revelations, I was called upon by a worthy man^" to state what I had seen and heard in Swedenborg's company; especially, as I had the advantage of being frequently at his house, in the character of a friend, and of meeting him in company, at my own house, and at the houses of my relations.
2. Swedenborg's property was about a stone's cast in length and in breadtli. 1'he rooms of his dwelling-house were small
32 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
and plain; but were sufficient for him, though scarcely for any one else. Although he was a learned man, no books were ever seen in his room, except his Hebrew and Greek Bible, and his manuscript indexes to his owm works, by which, in making quotations, he was saved the trouble of examining all that he had previously written or printed.
3. Swedenborg worked without much regard to the distinction of day and night, having no fixed time for labour or rest. "When I am sleepy", he said, "I go to bed." All the attendance he required from his servant, his gardener's wife, consisted in her making his bed, and placing a large jug of water in his ante- room, his house-keeping being so arranged that he could make his own coffee in his study; and this coffee he drank in great abundance, both day and night, and with a great deal of sugar. When not invited out, his dinner consisted of nothing but a roll soaked in boiled milk ; and this was his meal always when he dined at home. He never at that time used wine or strong drink, nor did he eat anything in the evening; but in company he would eat freely, and indulge moderately in a social glass.
4. For the sake of the public that came to see the old gentleman, generally from curiosity, he had a pretty summer- house built in his garden in 1767; on one side of this was his handsome library, and in the wing that stretched out on the other side were garden-tools. He had also another summer- house put up in the middle of his garden, according to the plan of one he had seen in England on a gentleman's estate; and still another, which was square and had four doors, and which could, by opening the doors across the corners of the room, be changed into an octagon. In one corner of his garden he had also constructed a maze of boards, entirely for the amusement of the good people that would come and visit him in his garden, and especially for their children; and there he would receive them with a cheerful countenance, and enjoy their delight at his contrivances.
5. Among these things I must also mention a blind door which he . had made; and when this was opened, another one appeared with a window in it; and as both these
Doc. 5.] BOBSAHM'S MEMOIRS. 33
doors were directly opposite a green hedge where a beautiful bird-cage was placed, and as the window in the inner door was made of looking-glass, the effect was most charming and surprising to those who opened it ^vitll a view of entering Swedenborg's other garden, which, according to his statement, was much more beautiful than his first one. Swedeuborg derived much sport from this arrangement, especially when inquisitive and curious young ladies came into his garden.
6. Before his house there was an ornamental flower bed, upon which he expended considerable sums of money; he had there even some of those singular Dutch figures of animals, and other objects shaped out of box-trees; but this bed he did not keep up in his later years. The cultivation of the garden, however, and its produce he left to the gardener.
7. The fire in the stove of his study was never allowed to go out, from autumn, throughout the whole of winter, until spring; for as he always needed coffee, and as he made it himself, without milk or cream, and as he had never any definite time for sleeping, he always required to have a fire.
8. His sleeping-room was always without fire ; and when he lay down, according to the severity of the winter, he covered himself either with three or four woollen blankets; but I remember one winter, wliich was so cold that he was obliged to move his bed into his study.
9. As soon as he awoke, he went into his study, — where he always found glowing embers — put wood upon the burning coals, and a few pieces of birch-rind, which for convenience he used to purchase in bundles, so as to be able to make a fire speedily; and then he sat down to write.
10. In his drawing-room there was the marble-table which he afterwards presented to the lioyal College of Mines; this room was neat and genteel, but plain.
11. His dress in winter consisted of a fur-coat of rein- deer skin, and in summer of a dressing-gown; both well-worn, as became a philosopher's wardrobe. His wearing apparel was simple, but neat. Still, it happened sometimes, that, when he prepared to go out, and his people did not call his atten- tion to it, something would be forgotten or neglected in his dress; so that, for instance, he would put one buckle of gems
3
34 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc 5.
and another of silver in his shoes; an instance of which absence ot mind I myself saw at my father's house, where he was invited to dine; and which occurrence greatly amused several young girls, who took occasion to laugh at the old gentleman.
12. It was difficult for him to talk quickly; for he then stuttered, especially when he was obliged to talk in a foreign tongue. Of foreign languages, in addition to the learned languages, he understood well French, English, Dutch, Ger- man, and Italian; for he had journeyed several times in these countries. He spoke slowly ; and it was always a pleasure to be with him at table, for whenever Swedenborg spoke, all other talk was hushed; and the slowness with which he spoke had the effect of restraining the frivolous remarks of the curious in the assembly. At first he used to talk freely about his visions, and his explanations of Scripture, but when this displeased the clergy, and they pronounced him a heretic or a downright madman, he resolved to be more sparing of his communications in company, or at all events to be more on his guard, so as not to offer an opportunity to scoffers of inveighing against what they could not understand as well as himself.
13. I once addressed the pastor of our parish, an old and esteemed clergyman, and asked him what I ought to think of Swedenborg's visions and of his explanations of the Bible. This honourable man answered me with the spirit of true tolerance: "Let God be the judge, how these things are in reality! But I cannot pass the same judgment upon him that many others do; I have spoken with him myself, and I have found in company where he was with me, that he is a pious and good man."
14. It was also remarkable, that Swedenborg, unlike sec- tarian persons, never tried to make proselytes, or to force his explanations upon any one. This I know from a conversation I had with him, as to whether it is possible for any other man to come into the same degree of spirituality in which he was. He said, "Take good care; this is the direct road to insanity: for when a man pores over spiritual and hidden things, he cannot protect himself against the delusions of hell, which then come over him and trouble him, when from his natural man and by
Doc. 5.] ROBSAHM'S MEMOIRS, 35
his own speculations he tries to fathom heavenly things, which transcend his comprehension." He then explained to me, that the Lord in His prayer taught us to pray against such sjieculations, in the words Lead us not into temptation; by which is meant that we must not, from our own power and by our own intelligence, begin to doubt the heavenly truths which are revealed to us: "For," he added, "you are well aware how often it has happened, that students, and especially tlieologians, who unnecessarily indulged too much in specula- tions, have lost their understanding. I, for my o"s\ti part," he concluded, "had never expected to come into that spiritual state, in which I am now; hut the Lord selected me for this state, and for revealing the spiritual meaning of the Sacred Scriptures, which He had promised in the prophets and in the book of Revelation. My purpose previously had been to explore nature, chemistry, and the sciences of mining and anatomy."
15. This conversation gave me an opportunity of asking him, where and how it was granted him to see and to hear what takes place in the world of spirits, in heaven, and in hell. Whereupon Swedenborg answered as follows: "I was in London and dined rather late at the inn where I was in the habit of dining, and where I had my own room. My thoughts were engaged on the subjects we have been discussing. I was liungry, and ate with a good appetite. Towards the close of the meal I noticed a sort of dimness before my eyes: this became denser, and I then saw the floor covered with the most horrid crawling reptiles, such as snakes, frogs, and similar {■reatures.^^ I was amazed; for I. w^as perfectly conscious, and my thoughts were clear. At last the darkness increased still more; but it disappeared all at once, and I then saw a man sitting m a corner of the room; as I was then alone, I was very much frightened at his words, for he said: 'Eat not so much'. All became black again before my eyes, but immediately it cleared away, and I found myself alone in the room.
"Such an unexpected terror hastened my return home; I did not let the landlord notice anything; but 1 considered well what had happened, and could not look upon it as a mere matter of chance, or as it it had been produced by a physical cause.
3*
36 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
"I went home ; and during the night the same man revealed himself to me again, but I was not frightened now. He then said that He was the Lord God, the Creator of the world, and the Redeemer, and that He had chosen me to explain to men the spiritual sense of the Scripture, and that He Himself would explain to me what I should write on this subject; that same night also were opened to me, so that I became tho- roughly convinced of their reality, the worlds of spirits, heaven, and hell, and I recognized there many acquaintances of every condition in life. From that day I gave up the study of all worldly science, and laboured in spiritual things, according as the Lord had commanded me to write. Afterwards the Lord opened, daily very often, my bodily (lekamlig) eyes, so that, in the middle of the day I could see into the other world, and in a state of perfect wakefulness converse with angels and spirits."
16. Swedenborg rarely went to Church; partly, because he could not be edified by preaching which was so different from liis own revelations ; and partly because he suffered from the stone. Neither did he partake of the Holy Com- munion; and as he was closely related to two bishops, one of them, during the diet of 1760, remonstrated with him upon it in a friendly manner. Swedenborg answered, that inasmuch as he was conjoined with the Lord God, and had been called by Him, and as he was, moreover, in com- pany with angels and saints, tliis religious act, in his case, could not be looked upon in the same light, as in the case of the other inhabitants of this earth. But when he was re- minded that by observing the sacrament he would set a good example, he yielded and he took the communion before the altar of the Church which had been fitted up for the Maria parish after the conflagration of 1759.
17. A few days previously he asked his old serving people, which clergyman he might ask for this service, for he did not know them particularly. When the elder chaplam was pro- posed, Swedenborg said at once: "No; for he is a passionate man, and a violent priest; I was much displeased in hearing him thunder from the pulpit." His assistant was then proposed, the second chaplain, who was less liked in the parish. "This
Doc. 5.] ROBSAHM'S MEMOIRS. 37
one," Swedenborg said, "I desire; for I have heard that he speaks as he thinks, and that for this reason he has lost credit among the people, as is usually the case in the world."
18. Swedenborg once told me the reason why no others among the clergy, except Doctor Beyer^^ in Gottenburg, had embraced his explanations of the Scripture. The reason of this is, that daily, from the time when they attend school in the gymnasium [academy], and in the university, they confirm themselves in the doctrine, and in favour of the doctrine, of faith alone; and whenever any one has confirmed liimself in anything evil, he no longer looks upon the evil as evil, but becomes daily more delighted with it. "Nay," he added, "though they should actually see and find out that I speak the truth, their love of places of honour and of consideration, and their self-interest, will not permit them to profess publicly what, in accordance with their own conviction, they fllid to be incontestable truths." This conversation I had with Swedenborg, a short time after he had had a visit from the cele- brated clergyman, Doctor Rutstrom,^' who died in prison, in the castle of Stockholm, some time after the revolution of 1772. Swedenborg said, "This Rutstrom saw every thing, but his life and deeds showed that his Moravian sect was dearest to him, in which he had long ago confirmed himself, even to persuasion;" and he added, that such was the case with the clergy of every religion, who, after they have confirmed themselves in the doctrines which they profess, can never more be induced to give up the most preposterous proposi- tions.
19. The chaplain of the Imperial Russian Legation, Oro- noskow, who was in Stockholm during the time of the ambas- sador. Count Ostermann, was a monk of the Alexander- Newsky order, and led an orderly and pious life ; quite diifer- ently from the other Russian priests who had been here before him. He became acquainted with me, and I lent him Sweden- borg's books, which, he said, he read with the greatest delight. He desired to see Swedenborg, and to talk with this remark- able man. I complied with his desire, and invited Swedenborg and him to dinner, in company with the late president of the Royal College of Commerce, Mr. von Carleson,^* and the
38 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
Councillor of Chancery, Mr. Berch,^^ together with several of my relations. During dinner the chaplain asked Sweden- borg among other things, whether he had seen the Empress Elizabeth. Swedenborg then asked some one to tell him (for he always spoke in Swedish, and the conversation was carried on in French, which was well understood and pretty well spoken by the chaplain), "I have seen her often, and I know that she is in a very happy state." This answer brought tears of joy into the chaplain's eyes, who said that she had been good and just. "Yes," said Swedenborg, "her kind feeling for her people was made known, after her death, in the other life; for there it was shown, that she never went into the council wdthout praying to God, and asking for his advice and assistance, in order that she might govern well her country and her people." This gladdened the chaplain so much, that he expressed his joyful surprise by silence and tears.
20. I have two proofs, that Swedenborg was firmly con- vinced that the works in manuscript which he took abroad, would be printed there. At liis departure, the last but one, before he died in London, I met him in his travelhng- carriage, when he was just starting from his house, here in Stockholm. I asked him how he, who would be soon eighty years old, could dare to undertake so long a journey, and whether we should meet again in this world. "Do not trouble yourself about that," said he, "if you live, we sliall certainly meet again; for I shall have to undertake another journey like this."
21. When he left Sweden for the last time, he came of his own accord to me at the bank on the day he was to leave, and gave me a protest against any condemnation of his writings during his absence; which protest was based upon the law of Sweden, and in which he stated, that the House of D'iests ivas not the only judge in matters of reli- gion, inasmuch as theology belonged also to the other Houses. On this occasion I asked him the same question as before, viz., whether I should ever see him again. His answer was quite tender and touching; "whether I shall come again, that," said he, "I do not yet know; but of this I can assure you, for
Doc. 5.] BOBS ARM'S MEMOIRS. 39
the Lord has promised to me, that I shall not die, until I shall have received from the press this work, (the Vera Christiana Bdiyio), which is now ready to be printed and for the sake of which I now undertake this journey; but if we do not meet again in the body we shall meet in the presence of the Lord, provided we live in this world according to His will and not according to our own." He then took leave of me in as blithe and cheerful a frame of mind, as if he had been a man in his best years; and the same day he departed for the last time from Sweden.
22. I asked Swedenborg once whether his explanations Avould be received in Christendom. "About that," said he, "I can say nothing; but I suppose that in their proper time they will be received; for otherwise the Lord would not have disclosed what has heretofore lain concealed."
23. He was never ill except when temptations came over him; but he was fi*equently troubled with tooth-ache. I came to him once on such an occasion, when he complained of a severe tooth- ache, which had continued for several days. I recommended to him a common remedy for soothing the pain; but he answered at once, that his tooth-ache was not caused by a diseased nerve, but by the influx of hell from hypocrites, who tempted him, and who by correspondence caused this pain, which he said, he knew, would soon stop and leave him.^^
24. Respecting his temptations I collected information from his modest servants, the old gardener and his wife, who told me with sj-mpathizing and compassionate words that Swedenborg often spoke aloud in his room, and was indignant when evil s])irits were with him; tliis they could hear the more distinctly, because their room was near his; when he was asked, why he had been so restless during the night, he answered that per- mission had been given to evil spirits to revile him, and that he spoke to and was indignant with them. It often happened that he wept bitterly, and called out with a loud voice, and prayed to the Lord, that He would not leave him in the temptation which had come upon him. The words which he cried out were these: "Oh Lord, help me! Oh Lord, my God, do not forsake me!" "When it was all over, and his people
40 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
asked liim about the cause of this lamentation, he said: "God be praised! it is over now. You must not trouble your- selves about me; for whatever happens to me is permitted by the Lord, and He does not allow me to be tempted more than He sees that I can bear."
25. Once it was very remarkable, that after such a lamenta- tion he lay down, and did not rise from his bed for several days and nights. This caused his people much uneasiness; they talked with one another, and supposed that he had died from some great fright. They thought of having the door forced open, or of calling in his intimate friends. At last the man went to the window, and, to his great joy, saw that his master was still alive, for he turned himseK in bed. The next day he rang the bell, and then the housekeeper went in, and told him of her own and her husband's un- easiness at his condition; whereupon he said with a cheer- ful countenance, that he was doing well, and that he did not need anything. She was satisfied with this answer, for neither of his servants dared to interrogate him, as they had the same opinion of him as the old clergyman in my parish; and they added that such a wise and learned man would never distress himself with work and temptations, if he did not know whence they came.
26. I asked the old housekeeper whether she had ever no- ticed anything unusual in Swedenborg's eyes after such a state. I asked this question, because I wanted to know whether his countenance was at all changed while he was in the spirit. She answered, that one afternoon, for some reason or other, she had to go into his room; and when she opened the door, the pupils of his eyes had the appearance of the brightest fire; whereupon she was frightened, stepped back, and cried out: "What, in the Lord's name, is the matter with you, my master? You look so terrible." "How," said Swedenborg, "do I look?" And when she told him what she saw, he said: "Well! well! don't be frightened. The Lord has opened my bodily eyes, and I have been in the spirit; but in a little while, I shall be all right again ; and this does me no harm." She added, that half an hour afterwards, his eyes were entirely free from this appearance of fire.
Doc. 5.j BOBSAHWS MEMOIRS. 41
27. I have just mentioned that Swedenborg was in the habit of saying: "Well! well!" This was a phrase which he often used, when he spoke with any one familiarly ; another, which he fre- quently used, was, "Good! good!"
28. When Swedenborg went abroad, he never studied his comfort, but always travelled in an open carriage, without a servant, to Gottenburg; and thence he went by sea either to England or Holland, in order to get his manuscripts printed.
29. I am acquainted with two Englishmen, who are sea- captains and Swedish naturalized citizens; the name of the one is Harrison, on board whose ship Swedenborg was once a passenger. During almost the whole voyage he lay in bed, and nearly the whole time he spoke as if he were in company. The cabin-boy and the mate said to the captain that Swedenborg must be mad; he answered, "he may be what he pleases, but as long as he remains quiet, I have no authority over him; he is always prudent and discreet in speaking to me, and in answering me ; you see your- selves that we have the most favourable wind; and if this weather continues as it is, I shall make the quickest passage I have ever made." Harrison added laughing, "If Swedenborg chooses, he can always have a free passage with me; for dur- ing the whole of my experience at sea, I have never sailed better."
30. The other sea-captain is Brovell, with whom Sweden- borg sailed from London to Dalaro, a passage which was made in eight days. During this voyage, as in that with Harrison, Swedenborg generally lay in bed and talked; but when he went on board at London, he said to the cap- tain that he hoped they would have a favourable wind. This came soon, and it continued until their arrival at Dalaro, whence Swedenborg pursued his journey by land. There is no doubt also that previously to this favourable change the captain had a contrary wind, which lasted several days; nevertheless, he regarded Swedenborg neither as a conjurer nor as a madman, but he looked upon the whole occurrence as a mere coincidence. I asked Swedenborg about these voyages of his, and he said, that he himself wondered at the remarkably good fortune which he always had when he travelled by sea;
42 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
but he observed at tlie same time, that any intelligent man could see, that be was not able to do miracles.
31. During the session of the Diet he was interested in hearing news of the House of Nobels, of which he was a member by virtue of his being the head of the Swedenborg family. He wTote several memorials; but when he saw that party-spirit and self-interest struggled for mastery, he went rarely up to the House of Nobles. In his conversations w^th his friends, he inveighed against the spirit of dissension among the members of the Diet; and in acting with a party he was never a party -man, but loved truth and honesty in all he did.
32. I asked Swedenborg whether in our times it was worth while to pay attention to dreams; upon which he answered, that the Lord no longer, at the present day, makes revela- tions by dreams; but that, nevertheless, it may happen that one who understands correspondences may derive advantage from his dreams ; just as a person that is awake, may examine his own state by comparing his own will with God's com- mandments.
33. Swedenborg did not appear in the character of an alms-giver; and when he was asked the reason, he said: "Those who are poorest are either lazy or good for nothing; and, moreover, alms are often injurious to those that receive tliem, when any one from mere goodness of heart takes pity on the indigent." He did not lend money; "for," said he, "this is the direct way to lose it;" moreover, he added, that he had need of all his money for his travels, and for the printing of his works.
34. Many, during Swedenborg's life-time, wondered where he obtained money enough to make such long journeys, and to in- cur such heavy expenses. But when we take into considera- tion his economical mode of living, and the little money he needed while travelling, a moderate capital only was required for this purpose; especially, also, as his philosophical and mineralogical works had a large sale. Nor did his spiritual writings remain on the booksellers' shelves, but always yielded him some resources. From his father. Bishop Swedberg, too, he had obtained a considerable inheritance [See Note 19],
Doc. 5.] ROBS ARM'S MEMOIRS. 43
so that it was not at all surprising, that he could carry out his purposes.
35. Swedenborg never allowed any female visitors to come into his room, without calling in one of his servants; and whenever, as happened very often, any ladies came to see him, especially disconsolate widows, who desired to know the state of their husbands; or others who thought that he was a fortune-teller, and could reveal wonderful secrets, thefts, &c. — he always required some one to be present. "For," said he, "women are cunning, and they might pretend, that I desired to become too intimate with them; moreover, it is well known, that such people misrepresent, because they do not properly understand, what they hear." Wherefore, whenever such persons called upon him avowedly for such a purpose, he Avith great firmness refused to have any thing to do with them.
36. It is known, however, that in his youth he had a lady-love (en maitress), whom he gave up Avhen she became faithless to him; but, otherwise, there is not the least trace in him of any disorderly love. [See on this subject, Note 27.]
37. Whatever Swedenborg wrote was printed from his own manuscript, and he never needed the help of an amanuensis. His handwriting was difficult to read when he became older; but he said to me: "the Dutch printers read my handwriting as easily as the English." There is one thing to be observed with regard to most of his spiritual writings, that the proof- sheets were corrected very badly, so that errata occur very often; the cause of this, he said, was that the printer had undertaken the proof-reading, as well as the printing.
38. As Swedenborg, in his younger days, did not think of the work which was to occupy him in his more advanced years, it can easily be imagined that in his time he was not only a learned man, but also a polished gentleman; for a man of such extensive learning, who, by his books, his travels, and his knowledge of languages, had acquired distinction both at home and abroad, could not fail to possess the manners and everything else which, in those so-called serious or sober times, caused a man to be honoured, and made him agreeable in
44 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
society. He was accordingly, even in his old age, cheerful, sprightly, and agreeable in company; yet, at the same time, his countenance presented those uncommon features, which are only seen in men of great genius.
39. I know not how he was regarded abroad; but I hope it may not be uninteresting to know how he was regarded in Stockholm, especially by those who could not read his writ- ings, and who met him only by chance in society, or heard others speak of him.
40. Those who were able to read his books judged of him then, as they do now, quite difi'erently from those who were unable to read them; and what is remarkable, most of those who do read his books become in a greater or less degree his adherents; although "for fear of the Jews", and on account of many and perhaps just causes, they do not openly profess their sentiments. Their judgment generally is, that, with the exception of his memorable relations, and the conver- sations and visions which he quotes, there is much that is good in his writings; because he insists upon leading a life in conformity with the will of God and His commandments; which manifests itself by the shunning of sin, and a new life from the heart, and also by love to the Lord and the neighbour.
41. One day a prisoner was led out to be beheaded at the place of execution. I was with Swedenborg in the evening, and I asked him, how a person, who leaves the world in this manner, feels at the moment he is executed. He replied, "When such a one lies down upon the block he is already so much out of himself, that after decapitation, when the spirit enters into the world of spirits, and the pris- oner finds himself alive, he tries to make his escape, is in expectation of death, and is very much terrified ; for at the last moment no one thinks of anything but the happiness of heaven, and the misery of hell. Afterwards such a one is associated with good spirits who reveal to men that they are really dead; and then he is left to follow his own inclinations, by which he is led to that place where he is to remain to eternity." In Swedenborg's work on "Heaven and Hell" this change is treated of more at large.
Doc. 5.] BOBSAHM'S MEMOIRS. 45
42. Swedenborg added that when a person who has be- come matured in wickedness, is removed from the earth by the law and the axe, although to all appearance penitent, he still remains wdcked to eternity; because his conversion is compulsory, and not brought about by his own free will, as required by God. For unless his crimes cast him into prison, where he sees death impending, he will never direct his tlioughts towards God, and still less his heart, hardened by habit; and such a one, when he finds that he lives as before, rushes headlong into the practice of all those evil works wliich he did in the world ; and he, consequently, quickly leads himself to hell, with the spirits of which he had been conjoined during his life-time upon the earth.
43. It is quite different, however, with those who are executed on account of some crime which they had committed while in a state of intoxication, anger, or indignation, or from rashness, without any real intention of doing it; such repent bitterly of what they have done, and if they do not confirm themselves against the Lord's commandments during the remainder of their life, they become after their death happy and blessed spirits.
44. When a certain clergyman died in Stockholm, who by his eloquence and his pathetic mode of preaching had always his church filled with hearers, I asked Swedenborg whether he was not in a blessed state. "This man," answered he, "went straightway to hell among the societies of hypocrites; for he was only spiritually minded while in the pulpit; at other times he was proud of his talents, and of the success he had in the world; he was an inflated man. "No, no," he added, "there, no dissimulation and no deceitful arts are of any avail; for all these disappear with death, and man involuntarily shows himself either to be good or evil."
45. The Dutch ambassador Marteville*^ died in Stockholm. His widow, some time afterwards, was asked to pay a large sum of money, which she knew had been paid. At last she discovered the document among his papers; and there was a general talk in town, that Swedenborg had con- tributed towards it by his conversation with the deceased ambassador. I asked Swedenborg about it, and he said that
46 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
the lady had been to see him, and had told him the circum- stance, and that he promised her that if he should meet Marteville he would mention it to him. This was done; and "the ambassador answered me," said Swedenborg, "that he would go home that same evening, and look after it, but I did not receive any other answer for liis widow. I have heard since, that she discovered the important document; but I have had no other share in bringing this matter to light, than what I have stated." The general rumour was, that the widow dreamt that she was speaking with her husband, who told her where the paper would be found in the place where he used to put things away (uti dess foi'dne gomman).
46. Swedenborg was once in the presence of a certain high personage (Queen Louisa Ulrica"), who asked him whether he could meet her late brother (Prince ot Prussia), and whether he could find out what these high personages had said to one another on a certain matter. Swedenborg promised; and he came back a few days afterwards to give the answer, which he did in the presence of a high gentleman. The high personage then took Swedenborg aside to one part of the room, w^here he told her in private what she desired to know from the deceased gentleman. The high personage thereupon became amazed, and said that tliis was altogether incomprehensible; inasmuch as no one in the whole world knew anything about this, except herself and her deceased brother. [See on this subject § 53.]
47. Swedenborg had ordered for the Diet in Norrkoping (1769) a small box* of his works from England, which in accordance with the regulations of customs w^as detained in the custom- house, on account of their containing foreign or heterodox thoughts on religion. SAvedenborg, therefore, asked a clergy- man [Bishop Filenius, see Note 9], one of his influential rela- tives, to get this box released for him, because he desired to distribute the books among the members of the various Houses of the Diet. This man assured Swedenborg he would, and on leaving embraced and kissed him ; but when he went up to the
* It contained copies of his work on "Conjugial Love," which had been printed at Amsterdam, in 1768.
Doc. 5.] ROBS AHM'S MEMOIRS. 47
House, it was he who insisted most strongly that the books shoukl not be released. For this man Swedenborg entertained afterwards great contempt, and always called him Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his friend Avith a kiss. Swedenborg said that he Avould have been much better pleased with a downright refusal, than with a false promise inspiring confidence. He could not do otherwise than reprove such conduct; lor in his whole life and in all liis Amtings, in agreement with the tenor of God's "Word he insisted upon truth and honesty among men, and indeed for the reason, that God has so commanded for the sake of men's oa\ii happiness among themselves. He said also, "He who speaks lies, acts them in his life, and this is an abomination in the sight of God."
48. During the Diet of 1769 a cunning stratagem was planned by some members of the House of the Clergy, by Avhich Swedenborg was to be summoned before a court of justice, and after the first examination to be declared a man Avho had lost his senses by his speculations in religion, whom it was most dangerous to leave in freedom, and who therefore ought to be confined in a lunatic asylum. As soon as a certain senator, a friend of Swedenborg's, heard about this, he wrote him a letter, in which he disclosed the scheme, and advised him to leave the country.
Swedenborg upon this became very sorrowful, and going straightway into his garden, fell upon his knees, and in tears prayed to the Lord, and asked Him what he should do; when he received the comforting assurance, that notliing evil should befall him — as was the case ; for his enemies did not dare to carry out their persecution, when they considered that he was the head of a family, and related to other in- fluential families, both in the House of Nobles and in the House of the Clergy.
49. This information I received from Mr. Seele, an agent here in Stockholm; to whose house Swedenborg very fre- quently went, and to Avhom he had told this.
50. I can assure the reader in all truth that these mis- cellaneous statements, which I remember of my intercourse with this venerable man, are true in every particular, and that I should not have written them down, if I had not been
48 GENERAL BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
•
requested to do so by the honourable man who is mentioned at the beginning of these anecdotes, and if he had not in- timated that they would be made use of in enlightening posterity about Swedenborg's personal character, and indeed by a society, whose purpose it is to translate several of his writings into French. [See Note 20].
51. I know from experience that there is not a single word in all his writings which leads man away from the doing of God's will, and consequently from a sincere love of the neighbour; there is contained, however, therein an entirely new system, which is opposed to the principal religions pro- fessed by men, and to all their sects, but which agrees with all of them in this particular, that blessedness and misery depend upon man's life in time.
52. All this Swedenborg has proved abundantly in his writings, and especially has he written against the dangerous doctrine of faith alone; and if we in the History of the Church follow those who have been instrumental in establisliing reli- gions, we find that all religions, from the earliest to the latest times, have been instituted by well-meaning prelates, and that afterwards they have been subverted partly by ignorant, and partly by cunning and crafty prelates. In con- clusion, however, I earnestly desire that every one who reads Swedenborg's writings should do so with caution, and that he should rather remain in the faith he received in childhood, and which was often impressed upon him with severity, and which very few among the professors of faith examine, than that he should from frivoHty or from blind zeal revile what he cannot understand. For such persons read all the prophets and the book of revelation, where they under- stand nothing, with the same feeling of contempt with which they read Swedenborg's system, where, however, every thing may be easily understood by him who does not amuse himself at the expense of truth, and who does not reject every thing that does not agree with his own pre-conceived notions.
CARL ROBSAHM
Treasurer of the Bank, Stockholm. Stockholm, March 29, 1782.
Doc. 5.] BOBS ARM'S MEMOIRS. 49
Supplement to Eobsahm's Memoirs.
53. Statement explanatory of § 4G, from the Minutes of the Exegetic-Phikmthropic Society in Stockholm:*
"Truthful Account made by the late Queen Doivager^^ in Haga,-\ in the year 1774."
Swedcnborg was one day at a court reception. Her Majesty asked him ahout different things in the other life, and lastly whether he had seen, or had talked with, her hrother, the Prince Royal of Prussia. He answered, No. Her Majesty then requested him to ask after him, and to give him her greeting, which Swedenborg promised to do. I doubt whether the queen meant anything serious by it. At the next reception Swedenborg again appeared at court; and while the queen was in the so-called white room, surrounded by her ladies of honour, he came boldly in, and approached her Majesty, who no longer remembered the commission she had given him a week before. Swedenborg not only greeted her from her brother, but also gave her his apologies for not having answered her last letter; he also wished to do so now through Swedenborg; which he accordingly did. The Queen was greatly overcome, and said, 'No one, except God, knows this secret.' The reason why she never adverted to tliis before, was, that she did not wish any one in Sw^eden to believe that during a war with Prussia she had carried on a correspondence in the enemy's country. The same caution Her Majesty exercised during her last visit to Berlin. When she was asked about this transaction, which had been printed in a German paper, she did not answer. This circum- stance was narrated in the French translation of Heaven and Hell.\
* Extracts from these IMinutes are preserved in the Libraiy of the New Ciinrch Society in Stockholm, the leader of which is Mr. Oscar Tyboni; coi)ies of {555 53 and 54 were made by the editor of these Documents during liis stay in Stockholm, in 1868.
f Haga is a royal castle in the neighbourhood of Stockholm; it was the favourite resort of Gustavus HI.
\ Pemety's translation of Heaven and Hell, pubhshed in two vols, in Berlin, in 1782.
4
50 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 5.
The above was written with his own hand by His Ex- cellency, Count Hopken,^^ Feb. 9, 1784, after he had read Robsahm's Life of Stvedenhorg, and he desired this to be ap- pended to it.
54. Statement explanatory of § 36, taken likewise from the Minutes of the Exegetic - Philanthropic Society in Stock- holm. *
"Read before the Society, March 28, 1789.
By request; this furnishes reliable information on an oc- currence which took place in Mr. Assessor Swedenborg's younger years.
"While Polhem,^* the Councillor of Commerce, by a gra- cious order from the late King Charles XII, was engaged in building the Trollhatta lock near Carlsgraf, there lived with him as a pupil in mathematicSj-J- Assessor Swedenborg. The Assessor conceived a violent passion for Polhem's second daughter, Emerentia,^^ who was afterwards married to Rllcker- skold,^'' the Councillor in the Court of Appeals. But as she was only thirteen or fourteen years of age,^^ she could not be persuaded to enter into an engagement; whereupon her father, who loved Swedenborg very much, gave him a written claim upon her in the future, in the hope that when older she would become more yielding, and this contract her father obliged her to sign. She fretted, however, about it so much every day that her brother, Chamberlain Gabriel Pol- hem,^^ was moved with compassion, and purloined the con- tract from Swedenborg, whose only comfort consisted in daily perusing it, and who therefore quickly missed his treasure. His sorrow at his loss was so evident, that her father in- sisted on knowing the cause ; when by an exercise of his author- ity he was willing to have his lost document restored to him.
* This statement, in the Extracts from the Minutes of the Exegetic- Philanthropic Society, follows immediately after our n. 53.
■j- This is a mistake ; for Swedenborg was not with Polhem in the capa- city of a pupil in mathematics, but as an assistant -engineer. Moreover, it was Swedenborg who furnished the necessary mathematics, in order to bring Polhem's mechanical and physical experiments before the public. This was done by Swedenborg in his -'Daedalus Hyperboreus," which was pubhshed in the years 1716 to 1718.
Doc. 5.] EOBSAILM'S MEMOIRS. 51
But when Swedenborg himself saw her grief, he vohmtarily relinquished his right; and he left the house with a solemn oath, never again to let his thoughts settle upon any woman, and still less to enter into any other engagement; whereupon he commenced his travels abroad.* This is in brief all that can be reported with certainty on this matter.^'
It may be worth recording that Assessor Swedenborg as- sured the daughters and sons-in-law of Emerentia Polhem, when they visited him in his garden,-|- that he conversed with their departed mother as often as he pleased."
* After the death of Charles XH on the 30th of November, 1718, Swedenborg left Polhem, and went to the ironworks in Westmanland, where he was part-owner of the ironwork Shillon in Skinskatteberg, and it was not until June 30, 1721, that he started on his second journey abroad.
f Emerentia Polhem died in 1759.
DOCUMENT 6. PERNETY'S'* ACCOUNT OF SWEDENBOEG.
This account was printed by Pernety in the Preface to liis translation of Swedenborg's Heaven and Hell whicli was published by him in two volumes with the following title: Swedenhorg, "Les Merveilles du Ciel et de I'Enfer." Berlin 1782. On p. 36 he says, "Not being able to procure the life of Swedenborg written in the Swedish language by Mr. Robsahm/^ I have supplied the same by an abridgment of the eulogium on our author, which was composed and read before the Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres[?] of Stockholm by , M. de Sandel,^^ and by anecdotes and notices of his life which persons worthy of faith and of well-known probity have com- municated to me, both from that town and from London, in which city Swedenborg made a comparatively long stay." The persons "worthy of faith and of well-kno^vn probity" who sent Pernety almost the whole of the following ac- count, were the brothers, Charles Frederic,^'' and Augustus Nordenskold,^^ as appears from the following extract from a letter addressed by Pernety to the former of these, dated Oct. 30, 1781, — "Please assure your brother of those sent- iments which his reverence for Swedenborg awakens in my breast, and try to persuade him, to send me a French bio- graphy of this phoenix among authors, as well as interesting notices and anecdotes about him, in order that I may embody them in the preface to my translation." In a postscript he adds, "I am at present engaged in seeing through the press Swedenborg's work on Heaven and Hell.'''' It seems as if C. F. Nordenskold collected the materials for the above ac- count, and as if Augustus Nordenskold, who was the elder
Doc. G.J PEBNETTS ACCOUNT. 53
and more experienced brother, worked them up into a con- nected whole, while Pemety put the finishing touches to it and added § 26. The brothers Nordenskold, in drawing up their account of Swcdenborg, had access to the following sources:
1. Robsahm's Memoirs, which, as we have proved in Note 20, were written at the request of C. F. Nordenskold. Upon these memoirs the Nordenskolds drew in the preparation of the following paragraphs: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 29, 31, 32, 34, '35, 36. In these paragraphs Robsahm's language is not, however, translated literally, and sometimes con- siderable liberty has been taken with his text either by Mr. A. Nordenskold, or else by M. Pernety himself. It is quite possible also that the whole of Robsahm's account was not ready in time for the Nordenskolds to make full use of it, inasmuch as it was not finished until March 29, 1782.
2. Information collected from the wife of Swedenborg's gar- dener, by C. F. Nordenskold: §§ 12(?), 22, 24, 30, and a por- tion of 34. In a letter to Dr. Im. Tafel in Tubingen, dated May 1, 1822, C. F. Nordenskold makes the following ad- ditional statement: "During my stay in Stockholm I visited one day the wife of Swedenborg's gardener, who, together with her husband, waited upon him. She had free board in a charitable institution. She told me that Swedenborg often lay for several days in his bed without eating. He gave orders that they were not to awake him, or to touch him in such a state, but to place a basin of water before his bed. When he awoke, he did not feel the least weakness, but was strong and hale, as if he had partaken of hearty meals during the whole of that time." See Tafel's "Documents", &c. Vol. IV. p. 205. The same statement C. F. Nordenskold made in his "Con- siderations Generales", &c. p. 174.
3. From Dr. Beyer: part of § 32.
4. From Count Hopken: §§ 25, 27, 28.
5. From Sandels, the Councillor of Mines, § 15.
6. From Swedenborg's Writings: §§ 8, 23.
7. Facts generally known in Sweden: §§ 13, 18.
8. Authorities unknowTi: §§ 7, 37.
54 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
Paragraphs 16 and 17 we consider as false and erroneous; our reasons for rejecting them are given in notes 41 and 42.
A complete translation of "Pernety's Account of Swedenborg" was published by Dr. Im. Tafel in his German edition of the "Swedenborg Documents;" but this account as written by Pernety was not introduced into the Enghsh edition of these Documents, the editor substituting in its place an article entitled by him, "Anecdotes collected by ]Mr. Eobsahm," which we have discussed in our introduction to the genuine "Robsahm Memoirs;" and which we have there stated was composed partly of "Pernety's Account," and partly of a "Life of Swedenborg," which appeared in the Neiv Jerusalem Maga- zine of 1790.
The "Life of Swedenborg" which appeared in that Journal seems to have been compiled by C. B. Wadstrom,^*^ who was one of the editors of the Neiv Jerusalem Magazine, and a friend of the Nordenskolds. The sources from which he drew in its preparation are Sandels' Eulogium, Pernety's Account, Rob- sahm's Memoirs, and Hartley's preface to Heaven and Hell. Yet much of Pernety's Account and also of Robsahm's Memoirs was left out in that "Life;" so that our translation of "Pernety's Account" is really the first complete one that has been published in the English language. A portion of the account from § 1 to § 29 was also published by the Aurora press, about 1800, in a little work entitled, "Anec- dotes and Observations, with some account of the Life of Emanuel Swedenborg, to which is prefixed an Eulogium com- posed by Monsieur Sandel, &c."
The above "Life of Swedenborg" was also translated into Swedish, and formed a part of a New Church i^eriodical, which, under the name of "Forsamlings - Tidning," ciixulated in manuscript among the members of the "Society ^jro Fide et Charitate/' from June 1796 to August 1797. This Society was a secret Society, which was established after the dissolution of the Exegetic and Philanthropic Society in 1790, and which continued to exist in Sweden until about 1835. The Swedish "Life of Swedenborg" was enriched with extracts from the published proceedings of the trial of Drs. Beyer^^ and Rosen^*^ in Gottenburg. A manuscript copy of the "Eorsamlings-
Doc. C] PEBNETY'S ACCOUNT. 55
Tidiiing'' Avas presented by the editor of the present Docu- ments to the Swedenborg Society, in 1872.
After calling attention to the changes in the names of per- sons in the Sacred Scripture, Pernety begins his account of Swedenborg thus:
1. Emanuel Swedenborg was originally called Swedberg, after liis father, Jesper Swedberg, Bishop of Skara in Wester Gothland, a learned man, who was respected on account of his virtues, and beloved by all good Christians. After Emanuel had (in agreement ynth a custom prevalent in Swe- den, according to which the sons of bishops are raised into the rank of nobility with a seat in the Diet of the country) been ennobled, his name was changed to Swedenborg; which, in the German, as well as in the Swedish language, signifies protection or defence, according to the interpretation of the person by whom these notices or anecdotes have been com- municated to me, and who adds: "He will certainly be a protector to all those who are disposed for regeneration, by a knowledge and reception of the truths which the Lord was pleased to reveal to him, in order that he might communicate them to men; and as he has been an instrument in the hands of the Lord of the universe, he may be looked upon as a tutelary angel, not only of the Swedes, but even of the whole of Europe."
2. Swedenborg was an Assessor in the College of Mines, and a member of the Academy of Sciences. The little value which he placed upon titles, and honours, and greatness among men, induced him to resign his office of Assessor, as may be seen below from the letter which Springer, ^^^* the Councillor of Commerce, wrote to me.
3. He owned a house in the southern suburb [of Stock- holm], which was built and arranged according to his own taste; its rooms, which were limited in number, were con- venient only for him. Immediately adjoining the house was a garden of considerable size, in the centre of which he had
* Springer's letter to Pernety will be found in Section X among the Testimonies collected concerning Swedenborg in England.
56 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
erected a pavilion. Four doors with which lie had provided it formed a square; but by means of other four doors, he could in an instant change it into an octagon. One of these doors had a secret lock, and when it was opened, another door ap- peared with a window of looking-glass, which was opposite an arbour, where a birdcage was suspended. When any one opened this door, this contrivance produced upon him the pleasant surprise of a second garden, which, according to Swedenborg's statement, was more beautiful than the first. At the entrance of his garden there was a bed richly covered with flowers, which he liked very much. One corner of his garden was occupied by a kind of maze, planted expressly for the amusement of the persons by whom he was visited. He derived, however, no other advantage from the garden; for he left the whole produce of it to the gardener who had charge of it, as well as of a pretty conservatory, in which he took much pleasure.*
4. This gardener and his wife were his only domestics, and he kept them till the time of his death.-]- The wife made his bed, brought him water, and placed it in his ante-room. He made his own coffee, and drank it very freely, using a good deal of sugar. When at home he scarcely lived on anything but milk, in which he soaked some bis- cuits; then also he drank no wine, nor any spirituous liquor. When invited out he was very temperate in eating and drink- ing; but he was always of an even disposition, and inclined to sprightliness-l
* Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs, §§ 4 — 6, and also the "Official Account of Swedenborg's property in Hornsgatan," published after his death, which is contained in Section IV., in which more particulars are given, and where also several ofPernety's statements are rectified ; e.g. the pavilion described by Pernety was not in the centre of Swedenborg's garden, but on one side of it; the arbour or hedge with a voliere or bird-cage being on the opposite side; while in the middle of the garden there was another sum- mer-house built "according to the plan of one which Swedenborg had seen in a nobleman's garden in England." Moreover, the maze of which Pemety speaks, was not "planted," i. e. did not consist of a living hedge, but was constructed of boards.
-{• See an account respecting them, written by "Uncle Adam," Dr. "Wetterberg, in Section XI: "Swedenborg and his Gardener-folks."
^ Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs, § 3.
Doc. 6.] FERNETY'S ACCOUNT. 57
5. His wardrobe was very simple, but becoming. In winter he wore a fur-coat of reindeer-skin, and in summer, when at home, a dressing gown.* The only remarkable piece of furniture which he had in his drawing-room, was a table of black marble, upon which, at a first glance, it seemed as if a pack of cards had been thrown; so well were they imitated. He made a present of it to the College of Mines, which preserves it with great care.^'
6. Ordinarily Swedenborg pronounced very distinctly; but he stuttered a little when he tried to speak quickly. As soon as he commenced speaking in company, all kept silence, partly on account of the pleasure which they experienced from his conversation, and partly on account of his well-known erudition, which, however, he did not display, except when he was obliged to furnish proofs of his assertions or to show the insufficiency of the arguments of those with whom he con- versed.-j- Moreover, he was unwilling to enter into any dis- putes on matters of religion; and if obliged to defend himself, he did it with gentleness, and in few words. If he was urged beyond this, he drew back, saying: "Read attentively and without prejudice my writings, they will answer for me, and you will then change your ideas and your opinions."
7. A clergyman, a follower of Zinzendorf, :j: and a doctor of theology in Gottenburg, undertook to controvert the writ- ings of Swedenborg, and after stating that he had not read them, continued his preliminary discourse by the coarsest invectives, and the most malignant and stinging expressions against the person of Swedenborg. The latter spoke with so much modesty and gentleness, without referring to the person of his antagonist, that all applauded what he said, both in regard to its substance and its form.
8. A certain critic [Dr. Ernesti^^], who was well-known for being very unsparing in his comments upon books and their writers, wTote a bitter review of Swedenborg's writings. The latter replied to it in a very short article, which he
* Cfr. Robsahm's IMemoirs, § 11. •|- Cfr. Robsalim's Memoirs, § 12. I The founder of the sect of the Moravians.
58 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
had printed only to communicate to his friends; it is drawn up in the following terms: "I have read what Dr. Ernesti has written about me in his Theological Library, p. 784, and I have seen that it consists merely of personal slanders. I have not noticed therein a grain of reason against any statement in my writings, and yet it is against the laws of politeness to attack any one with envenomed daggers in such a manner; wherefore, I deem it unworthy of myself to fight with this celebrated man with the same weapons, i. e. to repel and to refute slanders by slanders: for this would be like women of the lowest order, who in quarreling cast dirt into each other's faces. Read, if you please, what has been written concerning the arcana that have been revealed by the Lord through me in my latest work, entitled " True Christian Religion/' in Nos. 846 to 851, pages 492 to 502, and then judge concern- ing my revelations, yet from reason. There has been written, besides, against this same Doctor Ernesti, a memorable rela- tion, which has been inserted in the above-mentioned work, "True Christian Religion," No. 137, pages 105 to 108, which, if you please, you may also read."
9. It is singular, or at least very remarkable, that almost all those who have read the writings of Swedenborg for the purpose of refuting them, have finished by adopting his views.*
10. At the beginning of his revelations he used to talk freely about what he had seen and heard, and his ex- planations of the Sacred Scripture, but when he found that his discourses were not liked by the clergy, he followed the policy of being more reserved and circumspect, in order to deprive calumniators of every opportunity and pretext for finding fault with what they did not, or were unwilling, to understand.-j-
11. He was not governed by that species of egotism usually noticed in those who start new ideas on matters of doctrine; neither did he desire to make proselytes, nor to
* Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs, § 40. f Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs, § 12.
Doc. 6.] PEBNETY'S ACCOUNT. 59
communicate his views to any, except such as he considered single-minded, disposed to listen peaceably, capable of under- standing him, and lovers of the truth.*
12. Notwithstanding his caution in this respect, and although he had never preached a morality which was opposed either to the decalogue or good manners; although his conduct was exemplary, and he spoke neither against the government nor particular persons, he w'as not exempted from persecution. He found enemies so bent upon doing him injury, that he was obliged to leave the capital so as not to fall into their hands.-j- A young man had even entered his house with a view of assassinating him, and the gardener's wife, to save Swedenborg's life, told him that he was not at home. The young man, however, would not believe her, and ran into the garden, thinking he was there. God, however, provided means to i^rotect him. As the young man was rushing into the garden, his cloak caught in a nail of the lock, so that he could not disengage himself; and his naked sword fell to the ground. Whilst in this embarrassment the fear of being dis- covered took possession of him, and he withdrew with all poss- ible speed.:|: This young man was afterwards killed in a duel.
* Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs, §. 14.
■{■ Tliis does not seem to be quite coiTect. TJiJ to the year 1769, accord- ing to Swedenborg's own statement to Mr. Hartley, he had not met with any persecutions at all in his own country. But uj)on his return to Stock- holm, in the latter part of 1769, an attempt was made by some of the clergy to have him confined in a lunatic asylum (cfr. Robsahm's Me- moirs § 48), and it was then that a certain Senator, a friend of Sweden- borgs, counselled him to leave the country, ad\dce which, however, he did not follow.
\ Another more detailed version of this occurrence is given by "Sam- tidens iMiirkvardigaste Personer," Upsal 1820, in which a short biographical sketch of Swedenborg is given, which is in part based on oral communi- cations. There is, however, an error in this account, inasmuch as it is reported to have taken place in the year 1756, when yet before the winter of 1759 it was not generally known in Sweden that Swedenborg's spiritual eyes were opened, (cfr. the letter of Baron D. Tilas to Count Cronstedt, dated March 16, 1760, which will be found in Section X). Moreover, it attributes to Swedenborg a feeling of revenge and a love of sarcasm, which were entirely foreign to his nature. The account on p. 141 is as follows. "During the Diet of 1756 (V), Swedenborg was walking one day
60 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc 6.
Swedenbdrg's life was again in danger during an assembly of the Diet, when he was obliged to give orders to his servants not to admit any one into his house until fui'ther notice; orders which were obeyed by them.
13. His writings raised him many enemies among the clergy, who found in them causes for persecuting him beyond endurance. His writings were denounced before the Consistory, and during a whole month meetings of the bishops and pro- fessors of theology were held for the purpose of examining them. At the end of this period they reported the result of their examination, which was nevertheless favourable; and there the matter rested for the moment. But his enemies filled with rage at their small success, tried other means, and they profited by Swedenborg's absence, who was abroad, and did not know what was taking place, nor .the machinations that were resorted to, with the view of destroying him. Here we may well exclaim: Tantcene animis ccelestihus ircef Can so much gall enter into the hearts of the pious! of the ministers of the Lord, who preach a religion, the only basis of which is love to God, and charity! And whom did they persecute? An author whose writings breathe nothing but these two kinds of love, as the only means by which heaven may be opened to man, and show that the opposite of these, the love of self and of the world, lead to eternal perdition. Swedenborg always
with several friends in his garden, when there entered a young man un- known to all the parties present. He walked up to Swedenborg with a self-sufficient smile inlaying around his lips, and informed him that he had recently lost his father, and that he therefore desii'ed, by Swedenborg's intercourse with spirits, to know what was his lot in the other world. Swedenborg, who probably wanted to punish the youth's impertinence, said to him, "It is pitiable, if your father belonged to that order of which very few are saved. Your father was a clergyman, was he not?" As Sweden- borg's supposition was really correct, the stranger blushed with astonish- ment and shame, and went away ; but not in order to let this remark serve him as a warning. On the contrary, filled with a feeling of revenge against the satirical spirit-seer, he again desired to make his way into the garden, for the purpose of murdering him. But when he rushed in by the door, his cloak caught in the lock, and uncovered his sword, which fell to the ground. His design was thus betrayed, and he was prevented from executing it. The consequence was that during that Diet, his door was closed against all unknown persons."
Doc. 6.J FERN ETY'S ACCOUNT. 61
practised that morality which he taught; and when on his return he was informed of the wicked machinations of his persecutors, haWng been taught by experience to what extent tliey were capable of going, he addressed a petition to the King in the form of a letter, which is as follows:
[Here Pernety inserts the whole of that letter which Swedenborg addressed to the King, dated the 10th of May or June, 1770, and Avhich will be found in Section IX in Swedenborg's Correspondence from 1747 to 1772.]
Pernety continues: It is known that essential Truth has been hated and rejected; that its children by whom it was preached, have been despised and persecuted: ought we then to be astonished at the persecution of a disciple of the truth at a time when false wisdom, under the illustrious name of Philosophy, while seeking to destroy the truth and to estab- lish itself upon its ruins, has gained by its tinsel and glitter the respect and admiration of men.
14. In London also a Moravian brother or Hernhuter,* and a clergjanan, the curate of the Swedish Church,-}- were bent upon calumniating Swedenborg: the former, probably, in order to avenge himself for what Swedenborg had wi-itten concerning his sect; the latter because he was an enemy of the Swedish Councillor of Commerce, Mr. Spnnger^^\ who resided in London, and declared liimself a friend of our author. In spite of the efforts made by his enemies to injure his reputa- tion, and to deny his merit and his virtues, he was neverthe- less well received at the Court of Sweden, during his sojourn in Stockholm. He was invited there to dine with the whole Royal family; and the Senator Count Hopken,^^ as well as the Senator Count Tessin,^^ two very estimable men, declared themselves openly to be his friends, and frequently visited him.
15. The Councillor von Sandels^^ made a visit at one time to Swedenborg, and seeing a quantity of manuscripts,
* Mr. Brockmer, at whose house Swedenborg resided at one time: the whole of this charge is investigated in Section X.
•j- The Rev. Mr. Mathesius: the charge made by him is investigated in the same place.
62 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc 6.
written by Ms own hand, without any corrections or era- sures, lying upon the table where he was writing, asked him whether he took the trouble himself to write out a clean copy. "I make a clean copy in writing it out the first time," replied Swedenborg; "for I am only a secretary, and I write at the dictation of my spirit."*
16. A certain man, a great admirer of Bohme,*° asked him in London, what he thought of that author. "He was a good man," answered Swedenborg, "it is a pity that some errors crept into his writings, especially with regard to the Trinity. [See Note 41.]
17. He was asked whether there was any truth in Her- metic philosophy? "Yes," he replied, "I consider it to be true, and one of the greatest wonders of God, but I advise no one to work in this subject.*^ [See Note 42.]
18. On arriving from London at Gottenburg, Swedenborg was told that his house had been consumed by a great con- flagration, in which almost the whole of the southern suburb of Stockholm was destroyed in 1759. "No," replied he, "my
* David Paulus ab Indagine (Joh. Christ. Cuno) in a collection of anecdotes concerning Swedenborg, published at Hamburg 1771, under the title "Sammlung einiger Nachrichten Herm Emanuel Swedenborg be- treffend" (Collection of some statements concerning Emanuel Swedenborg), says concerning him, "He said his angel dictated to him, and he could write fast enough for him." Cuno at the same time states that Swedenborg did not make a first draught of his works, but wi'ote out a clean copy at once. These statements are not borne out by the facts, inasmuch as among the Swedenborg MSS. in the Ubrary of the Academy oi Sciences in Stockholm there are two copies of Swedenborg's tieatise on the Apocalypse Explained., both in his own hand%\Titing, one of these being the first draught of the work, and the other a clean copy written out for the printer. Moreover, in the same hbrary, there is also a first draught copy of almost the whole of his largest work, entitled the Arcana Coelestia. This plan of making a first draught copy of at least a portion of what he intended to publish, Swedenborg followed to the end oi his natural life, inasmuch as the first draught copies of a large number of the memorable relations contained in his last work, The True Christian Religion^ are preserved in the JRoyal Library in Stockholm ; these sheets having been left by Swedenborg on board the ship in which he sailed to Amsterdam in 1769, and afterwards having been presented by the captain of the ship to Magister Lanaerus,ii6 of Carlscrona.
Doc. 6.] PERNETTS ACCOUNT. 63
house was not burnt; the fire did not extend so fiir." He spoke truly, and the occurrence had been so recent, that he coukl not have received the particuhirs by letter, or from any other person. (Consult upon this subject the following letter of Mr. Springer, from wliicii it may be seen, that he had predicted tliis conflagration.)*
19. He was asked why so few among the clergy of Gottenburg-|- had embraced his explanation of the Scrip- ture. "The reason of this is," he said, "that during their studies at the academy and the schools, they have confirmed themselves in their prejudices in favour of faith alone; and whenever any one has confirmed himself in anything wrong, he no longer looks upon error as an evil ; and although they perceive that I speak the truth, their ambition, their egotism, and their love of distinction or self-interest, seem to exact from them not to declare themselves openly in favour of it.
20. He suffered severe and cruel temptations; at such times he prayed much. Those who saw him in a state of temptation considered him very ill; but when he was re- lieved from them, he thanked God, and said to those that pitied him: "God be praised forever! Comfort youisclvcs, my friends! all has disappeared; and rest assured that no- thing ever happens to me, except what the Lord permits; and He never imposes upon us a burden heavier than we can bear.":j:
21. During the sessions of the Diet he took a great interest in what was discussed there, when he was absent: for as the head of his family he had the right of attend- ing, and of taking his seat in the Houses ot the Realm.
* INIr. Springer's version of this occurrence is confirmed by the pliilo- sopher Kant (see Section X), who says that the friend who sent him the whole of his account about Swedenborg, had investigated this matter, not only in Stockholm, Ijut also two months before in Gottcnijurg, where he was acquainted with the leading firms, and had every opportunity (jf collecting information on this suljject.
•^ Kobsahm, from whom this statement is taken (see § 18), introduces this sentence thus: Swedenborg once told me the reason why no others among the clergy, except Dr. Beyer in Gottenlnn-g, ha<l oiniiraced his ex- planations of the Scripture ....
\ Compare Robsahm's Memoirs, § 24.
64 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
But when he saw that the hatred and envy in the two parties were on the increase he attended but rarely; for he always decided by his love of truth and justice.*
22. Swedenborg gave every year a sum of money to the poor of the parish in which his house was situated. But he said that good ought to be done with discretion, because otherwise there was danger of harm being done by ill-placed alms. -|-
23. In his almanac for the year 1767, there is a note in his handwriting, stating that he had spoken with the great musician, Roman^*^, on the day when he was buried, and even at the very moment of his funeral.
24. Senator Count Hopken^*^ and the wife of Swedenborg's ■ gardener both informed me with regard to the two following facts. After the death of Mr. de Marteville,*^ a considerable sum of money w^as demanded from his widow, which it was stated her husband owed. She knew very well that this pretended debt had been paid, but she did not know where he had placed the receipt. In her trouble she applied to Swedenborg. He in- formed her next morning, that he had spoken with her deceased husband, and that . he had declared to him where he had placed the receipt, and that it would be found in the place described. The deceased person appeared also to his widow, in the same dressing gown which he wore before his death, and having given her the same indications, departed. She was so much frightened by this, that she wakened the lady attending her who was sleeping in the same room, and related this occurrence to her. The receipt was found in the place Swedenborg had named. This occurrence made a great deal of noise at the court and in town, and every one related it in his own fashion.:}:
25. Second fact: The Queen Dowager, widow of Adolphus Frederic, and sister of the King of Prussia^^, having heard a
* Cfr. Robsalim's Memoirs, § 31.
■f Compare Robsahm's statement on this subject, § 33.
I Compare Robsahm's account of this occurrence, as he obtained it fi'om Swedenborg himself, § 45; compare also the account of the Countess of Schwerin, sister of Madame de Marteville, and of the second husband of Madame de Marteville, in Section XI.
Doc. 6.] PEBNETY'S ACCOUNT. 65
report of the prececliiig story and of several others AvLich were related of Swedenborg, said to the Senator Count Hopken, that she would like to speak with Swedenborg. The Count, as bearer of the Queen's orders, met Swedenborg, who was going to the palace for the purpose of speaking with Her Majesty. After conversing for some time on various subjects, the Queen asked him whether he could ascertain the contents of a certain letter which she had written to her brother, the late Prince of Prussia; which she said no one in the world except her brother could know. Swedenborg replied that he would tell her in a few days. He kept his word: for having taken Her Majesty aside, he repeated to her word for word the con- tents of the letter. The Queen, who was not the least super- stitious, and possessed great strength of mind, was filled with the greatest astonishment. She related the fact, which was much talked of in Stockholm and abroad, and which every one dressed up to suit himself*.
26. The Queen having come to spend a few months in Berlin after the death of her husband, some academicians, to whom she did the honour of inviting them to her table, took the liberty of asking her whether that report was true. She avoided a reply, saying, "Oh, with regard to the history of the Countess de Marteville, that is certain;" but she said nothing respecting the matter that concerned herself. I was told this by M. M * * *, one of these academicians, to whom this princess afterwards sent some works of Swedenborg as a present, and who most kindly lent them to me. I subsequently pro- cured them for myself, and the satisfaction I experienced in reading them again, induced me to translate some of them into French. The present translation is one of the numb erf.
* In Ms work "Considerations Genf'rales," &c. p. 182, C. F. Norclenskold gives some further paiticulars which he had collected from the gardener's wife; he says, "The wife of Swedenborg's gardener related to us that on the following days carriages stopped before the door of her master, from which the first gentlemen of the kingdom alighted, who desired to know the secret of which the Queen was so much frightened, but her master, faithful to his promise, refused to tell it."
f Compare § 53, which is appended to Robsahm's Memoirs, where Count Hopken states the Queen's reasons for not answering that question
5
66 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6,
27, His Excellency Count Hopken^^, who is still living, and is highly esteemed and honoured by the Swedish nation for his profound knowledge, and for having, in the capacity of prime-minister, conducted the affairs of the kingdom with great prudence during a most stormy and critical period, asked Swedenborg one day, why he had published in his writings*, what so many regarded as mere visions and fictions, and which led them to despise the admirable doctrines contained in them. "I was commanded by the Lord to write and publish them," rephed Swedenborg; "do not suppose that, without such a positive order, I should have thought of publishing things which I well knew many would regard as falsehoods, and which would bring ridicule upon myself. If I assure them that I have received this command, and they are un- willing to believe me, the satisfaction will remain to me of having obeyed the orders of my God, and I shall answer them with Paul in the Corinthians: "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ," and, "If we are mad, we are mad from God."
28. The same Senator told His Majesty King Gustavus^^, that if it ever happened that the Swedes should found a colony, the doctrine which Swedenborg had published as the doctrine of the New Church of Jesus Clirist, ought to be taught there; inasmuch as, according to his principles, the
at the time. To another academician, M. D. Thiebault, she gave a minute account of the whole occurrence, which was embodied by him in a work entitled: "Souvenir de vingt ans de sejour a Berlin;" a translation of which will be found in Section XI, where all the various accounts of this occur- rence are examined and sifted.
* Pernety mistook the meaning of Count Hopken's statement; for the latter did not ask Swedenborg why he had pubhshed his "ivritings,' but the "memorable relations" contained in his writings. The whole passage which is contained in a letter of Count Hopken to a friend (see Section X), is as follows : "1 asked him once why he wrote and pubhshed those visions and memorable relations, which seemed to throw so much ridicule on his doctrines, otherwise so rational; and whether it would not be best for him to keep them to himself, and not pubhsh them to the world? But he answered, that 'he had orders from the Lord to pubhsh them,' and that 'those who might ridicule him on that account would do him injustice;' for, said he, 'why should I, who am a man in years, render myself ridi- culous for phantasies and falsehoods.'"
Doc. 6.] PEBNETY'S ACCOUNT. 67
colonists would look upon the love of God and charity as the only motives of their conduct, and would be active, indus- trious, and intrepid in danger, convinced that what is called death, is but a passage from this into a happier life ; and finally, as, according to the internal or spiritual sense which is hidden imder the letter of the Sacred *^cripture, nothing could be found there by which evil actions might be excused.
29. Although he had a large number of visitors of all ranks, he never would receive any one, especially of the other sex, alone, but always required one of his servants to be present, and the Swedish language to be used; "because," said he, "I wish to have witnesses of my conversation and conduct, so as to prevent all cause of slander and calumny."*
30. The following fact, which I have heard immediately from the wife of Swedenborg's gardener, is a proof of my asser- tion. Bishop Halenius**, the successor-}- of Swedenborg's father, having paid him a visit, the conversation turned upon the ordinary sermons, Swedenborg said to the Bishop: "You spread falsities in yours." Upon this charge, the Bishop ordered the servant to withdraw, but Swedenborg told her to stay. The conversation continued. They each turned over the leaves of a Hebrew and Greek Bible, to find suitable texts, by which to defend their views. The conversation ended in Swedenborg's reproving the Bishop for his avarice and in- justice, and saying to him, "there is already prepared for you a place in hell; but," added he, "I predict to you that in a few months you will be attacked by a severe illness, during which the Lord will seek to convert you. If you will then open your heart to His holy influences, your con- version will be accomplished. "Write me then, and ask me for my theological writings, and I will send them to you." After a few months an officer of the province and bishopric of Skara called upon Swedenborg. "How is Bishop Halenius?" he was asked. "He has been very ill", replied the officer,
» * Compare Robsahm, § 36, -who declares that he hmited this precaution
to female visitors.
•f This ought to read, "one of the successors;" for Bishop Swedberg
died in 1731, and Halenius was not appointed Bishop of Skara until 1753.
68 GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
"but he has now recovered, and is quite a different man. He is kind, benevolent, Ml of righteousness, and returns three-fold and sometimes four-fold what he had previously acquii'ed by unrighteous means. This Bishop was from that time to the hour of his death one of the warmest friends of the doctrines of the Lord's New Church, and he openly declared that the theological writings of Swedenborg were the most precious treasures of humanity.
31. Swedenborg was of a very gentle disposition ; but he was straight-forward, and would not betray the truth from respect to men, or for any other reason. Mr. Robsahm, the author of his biography, asked him, whether a certain clergy- man, who was highly esteemed in the capital on account of his flov/ery sermons, and who had died a little while before, had gone to heaven. "No," said Swedenborg, "he went straightway / to the abyss; for that clergyman left his piety in the pulpit; • he was not pious, but hypocritical and proud, and was vain of the gifts he had received from nature, and of those which he sought and obtained from fortune. No, no, there is no use in deceiving by false appearances. "With him they dis- appeared after death; the mask was dropped; for there it appears whether a man is interiorly evil or good*.
32. Mr. Robsahm asked him also how he began to have his revelations. "I was in London," answered Swedenborg, "and dined late at my usual inn, where I had a private room that I might be at Hberty to reflect at pleasure upon spiritual subjects. I felt very hungry, and ate with eagerness. Towards the close of the meal I noticed a sort of dimness spreading before my eyes, and saw the floor covered with snakes, toads, caterpillars, and other hideous reptiles; and I became more and more astonished, as the darkness increased. However, it soon disappeared, (and with it the swarm of repulsive reptiles). Then I saw clearly a man, (surrounded with vivid and shining lightjf , sittmg in a corner of the room. I was alone; and
* Compare Robsahm's account,* § 44.
•{- The passages in parentheses ( ) are found neither in Robsahm's account, nor in that which was communicated by Dr. Beyer22 to 0. F. Nordens- kjold2" in a letter dated Gottenburg March 25, 1776, which is contained in Section X.
Doc. 6.] PEBXETY'S ACCOUNT. 69
judge of my alarm, when I lieard liira pronounce distinctly (but with a voice capable of inspiring teiTor*): Eat not so much. After these words my eyes again became darkened, but gradually the darkness passed away, and I then found myself alone in the room. Still somewhat frighte .ed at all I had seen, I hastened back to my lodgings, without telling any one what had happened. There I gave myself up to reflection, but could not comprehend how this could have been the effect of chance, or of any physical cause. The following night the same man (refulgent with light*) presented himself again before me, and said: / am God tlie Lord, the Creator and Redeemer; I have chosen thee to explain to men the interior sense of the Sacred Scrijjture; I ivill dictate^ to thee ichat thou shalt ivrite. [This time I was not at all alarmed, and the light by which he was surrounded, although it was exceedingly vivid and dazzling, did not make even the least painful impression upon my eyes. He was clothed in imperial purple, and the vision lasted a full quarter of an liour]^. The same night the eyes of my interior man were opened, and per- fectly fitted to see into heaven, the world of spirits, and hell; and I found everywhere many persons of my acquaintance, some of whom had died a long time, and others only a short time, before. From that day I renounced all worldly occupa- tions, in order to devote myself exclusively to spiritual things, as I had been commanded. Afterwards it happened to me frequently to have the eyes of my spirit opened, so as to see
* See foot note •}- on page 68.
f Robsahm, instead of the Lord's dictating to Swedenborg what he should write, said, that the Lord would explain it to him.
^ The passage here placed in brackets does not occur in Robsahm's ac- count, but it is quoted from Dr. Beyer's letter. The Doctor's own words in that letter are as follows: "The information about the Lord's personal ap- pearance before the Assessor who saw Him in royal purple and in ma- jestic light sitting near liis bed, while he gave Assessor Swedenborg his commission, I had from his own hps at a dinner party in the house of Doctor Rosen,** where I saw the old gentleman for the tirst time. I re- member to have asked him, how long this lasted; whereupon he answered, about a quarter of an hour; also whether the strong hght did not afl'ect his eyes; when he said, no."
70 GENERAL BIOGEAPHIGAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
as in the plain light of day what takes place in the other world, and so as to converse with angels and spirits, even as I converse with men*.
33. Swedenhorg related the same circumstances to Doctors Eeyer^^ and Rosen*^, while dining at the house of the latter in Gottenburg. Some may perhaps object that the man clothed in purple was an angel of darkness transformed into an angel of liglit, so as to seduce and deceive Swedenhorg; but the Lord has taught us to know false prophets and hypocrites by their fruits. He said to the Pharisees: "If any man will do my father's will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or not." Did they not say to the Lord that he was a deceiver and a blasphemer ; that He was inspired by the devil; that He did His miracles in the name and by the power of Beelzebub ? It is the duty of good Christians to judge Sweden- horg by his conduct and writings. Let them study his writings without prejudice, and they will soon see, that the angel of darkness must either have been instructed by God to teach the truth, or that he could not have been the author of the revelations which Swedenhorg makes.
34. Mr. Robsahm having asked the wife of Swedenborg's gardener, if she had ever noticed any change in her master's countenance after he had conversed with spirits, she answered "One afternoon on entering his room his eyes had the appearance of the brightest fire; I stepped back, crying out: *In God's name, sir, what has happened to you, for you have a most singular appearance?' 'How do I look,' he inquired. I told him what I had noticed ; when he added : 'Well ! well ! (this was his favourite expression) do not be frightened, (the Lord has so disposed my eyes, that through them spirits may see into our world')-j-. In a short time this appearance will have passed away. This also happened as he said. I can see when he has spoken with heavenly spirits; for his face has then an expression of gentleness, cheerfulness, and con-
* Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs § 15, and also Note 25.
f This passage does not occur in Robsahm. The words which he uses are these: "The Lord has opened my bodily eyes, and I have been in the spirit."
Doc. 6.] FEBNETY'S ACCOUIsT, 71
tentment, which is charming; but after he has conversed with evil spirits, he looks sad."*
35. Swedenborg did not study comfort in his journeys; he travelled without a servant, in an open carriage from Stock- holm to Gottenburg, and thence by sea. Robsahm says, "I know two sea-captains who have conveyed him to England, and back. The name of one is Harrison, and of the other, Brovell. The former told me that Swedenborg lay in bed during almost the whole of the voyage; soliloquized much, and always answered very prudently. 'When he is in my ship,' Harrison added, *I always have the most favourable wind.' 'I should like to have him on board always, and would gladly carry him as a passenger without any charge.' Brovell said the same ; and he had taken him from London to Stock- holm in a very few days. "When I spoke to Swedenborg about it, he said, 'I am always very fortunate in my passages by sea.' "-J-
36. "I met him in his travelling-carriage, when he left for London the last time but one, and I asked him, how he who would soon be eighty years old, could venture to undertake so long a journey; and I added, 'Do you think I shall see you back here again?' 'Do not trouble yourself about that,' he said, 'if you live we shall certainly see one another again ; for I have another journey to undertake like this.' He returned indeed. "When he left Sweden for the last time, he came to see me the day before his departure. I asked him, whether we should meet again. He answered with a tender and touching look: 'I do not know whether I shall return; but this I know, that I shall not die before I have finished the printing of my work entitled: Vera Beligio Cliristiana (True Christian Religion) ; which is the object of my present jouniey. But if we do not meet again in this world, we shall meet again with the Lord, our good Father, provided we keep his
* This last passage docs not occur in Robsahm at all; yet it is possible that IMr. C. F. Nordenskjold had heard this himself from the gardener's wife. Compare Robsahm's account § 26.
•\ Cfr. Robsahm's account §§ 29, 30.
72 GENERAL BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. [Doc. 6.
commandments. He then took leave cheerfully with the bodily vigour of a man of thirty*.
37. Some time before his last journey, he addressed a petition to His Majesty King Adolphus Frederic", in which he asked him to have letters of instruction addressed to the Consistories of the kingdom, ordering them to examine his writings, and give their opinion with, regard to their contents; but the Consistories did not make any report. When the King met Swedenborg, he said to him: "The Consistories have kept silence on the subject of my letters and of your waitings ;" and laying his hand upon his shoulder he added: "We may conclude then that they have not found anything reprehensible in them, and that you have written in conformity with the truth."
* Cfr. Robsahm's Memoirs §§ 20, 21.
SECTION II.
SWEDENBORG'S ANCESTRY
AND THE
GENEALOGY OF THE SWEDENBORG FAMILY.
DOCUMENT 7. EXTRACT FROM A REPORT *
MADE BY THE LATE COUNCILMAN AND SENIOR JACOB INOLESSON TO THE CO UET
OF SIINES AT "STORA K0PPARBEROET,"f MAY 17, 1716, RESPECTING SOME OLD
FAMILIES AND HO USES ARO UND "KOPPARBEROET."
The following have been school-masters at "Koppar- berget:"
1. Magister Petrus Bullernesius^ ; he was the first school- master here at "Kopparberget," and afterwards became pastor of the church at Swiirdsio ; he was the maternal grand- father of Bishop Swedberg.
A rich and opulent miner of the name of Marten Larsson in Gruf Ryset; he was a sort of authority here in the mines, before there was any regular master of mines. He was many times in Stockholm, on account of some mining laws, with the late Kjng Gustavus. He had only two daughters; the elder was married to a miner in Gruf Ryset of the name of Pader Erichson; after his death she married a man from Gefle of the name of Lars Behm, § who at one period of his life was a member of the Court of Mines. The second daughter was married to Johan Barckman, a councilman in
* This and the following Document are contained in Vol. XTV of the Bcrgius^G Collection of Letters, which is preserved in the Library of the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. Document 7 was copied by Bergiua from a certified copy of the original.
•j- "Stora Kopparlierget" (the gi'eat copper- mountain) is the name of the copper mining district around Fahlun in Dalecarlia.
% Additional information respecting Magister Bullernesius will be found at the beginning of Document 10.
§ Lars Behm was the brother of Swedenborg's maternal grand- father; see Document 8, p. 8L
76 SWEDENBORG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 7.
Pahlun, when it first became a town; he lived near the new church, where the well now is. This Marten Larsson died in 1648, and the bells were tolled for him three days.
An opulent miner lived in Sundborn parish, whose name was Otto of Sundborn; his son's name was Nils Ottesson of Helsingborn; he also had a son named Isaac Nilsson in Framsbacka, and his son was Daniel Isaachson,* in Sweden, who was the father of Bishop Jesper Swedberg,-{- Daniel Swed- berg, mine-master, Assessor Peter Schonstrom,:^ the late Johan Swedberg, and book-keeper Isaac Swedberg.
That the preceding extract of Jacob Ingelsson's Report is an exact copy of the original, is certified by
Petek Swedberg [of] Joh.
* Additional information respecting Daniel Isaachson, Swedenborg's paternal gi-and-father, will be found at the beginning of Document 10.
■j- An extended account of Bishop Jesper Swedberg, the father of Emanuel Swedenborg, is contained in Document 10.
X Further particulars concerning Assessor Peter Schonstrom and his family ai'e given in Document 9, A.
DOCUMENT 8.
LETTER FROM PETER SCHONSTROM*^ TO EMANUEL SWEDENBORG-.*
My honoured friend and brother,
I thank you for your kind letter, and also for the genealogical register of our ancestors. You may obtain one still more perfect, if you go into the Privy Archives (Canimar-archivo), and find out the homestead upon which our ancestors lived; for in the old registers of the transfer of landed property the proprietors are always mentioned. It would be an advantage to our family if you could establish from the old register, that their homestead was exempt from taxes ; lor at that time owners of untaxed property were considered as noblemen, and at that time not every one, as is the case now, but only certain families or houses, could become the owners of such property. For this reason Engelbrecht Engel- brechtson is called a nobleman in our histories, viz. because he was an owner of untaxed property; and in Messenius also Mans Nilson of Asboda, and Anders Person in Rankhyttan, who were beheaded by order of King Gustavus I, are culled Nobiles Montani, i. e. mountain nobles. The Silfwerstromsf are said to have had the same origin with us on the fathers' side.
* Thi3 Document is contained in Vol. XTV of the Bergius^e Collection of letters in the Library of the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, on page 271, &c.
f This seems to be a mistake. According to Anrep,^8 Vol. Ill, p. 759, the Silf\'erstroms trace their origin to a certain Ludvig or Lydert Otto, who had emigrated from Germany, and who in 1643 was a councillor in Fahlun. As Daniel Isaakson, Swedenborg's paternal grandfather, married
78 SWEDENBOBG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 8.
The father-in-law of Secretary Norn had a genealogical register of liis family, in which our name occurred. It would be well if you could get a copy of that document. When I was young I heard that the Swinhufwuds, with a white boar's head as their crest, had the same origin as our family. Of it I know there is no survivor but Colonel Swijnhufwud of the Jemtlanders. His father had been the colonel of that regiment. The Swinhufwuds with a black boar's-head, are a different family altogether, and came from Bohemia. Bishop Otto in Westeras, who died in the year 1520, had several brothers, and I believe our family descends from one of them. The Swinhufwuds, with the white boar's-head, also descend from one of these brothers. I think that with proper dili- gence we would find ourselves in the same family with Engel- brecht,* since he also was from Sundbom.
With regard to our mother's family I cannot name any one before Isac Behm, who was employed by Charles TKf as admiral, and in other capacities; for this reason he was mentioned in King Charles' "slaughter-bench" (slaktare hcink). Messenius mentions him twice in his Scondia illustrata, but describes him as having been very cruel. This historian relates that after the battle of Stangbro,^ when he commanded by sea, he ill-treated some Jesuits, whom he had made prisoners ;
about 1640, this Ludvig Otto could not have been the Otto near Sund- bom, who, according to Document 7, was the great-grandfather of Daniel Isaakson, and who must have been born between 1530 and 1550. And if, according to Peter Schonstrom, that Otto was a brother of Bishop Otto of "Westeras, who died in 1520, he must have been bom before the year 1500.
* Engelbrecht was a noble mountaineer, under whose leadership the greater part of Sweden was delivered from the Danish yoke, in 1434. In 1436 he was assassinated, after having secured the independence of his country.
•j- Charles IX, the youngest son of Gustavus "Wasa, after deposing his nephew Sigismund, ascended the throne of Sweden in 1600. He punished severely the Catholic adherents of Sigismund, and executed many of the nobles at Linkoping. He has the reputation of having been the ablest of the sons of Gustavus "Wasa. He was the father of Gustavus Adolphus.
I This battle took place near LinkojMng in 1598; in which king Sigis- mund was defeated by his uncle Charles IX.
Doc. 8.] LETTER FROM PETER SGHONSTROM. 79
and afterwards, he says, he was the commander opposed to the fleet which Flemming sent from Finland, in which was the young de Wijk, the handsomest man in Sweden, whom Isac Behm ordered to he put to death in a very cruel manner. This Isac Behm married a Wernstedt, whose father was a colonel, who had married Lucretia, the natural daughter of duke Magnus.* From her and Colonel von Wernstedt descended, hy one of their daughters,* the llihbings of Walstad. She and her husband, with many of the Kibbings, have their vault in XJpsal, a vault older even than that of the Counts Dona. Blixencrona -|- was married to one of these Ribbings, and hes bmied m the same vault. His daughter, who is still living, was married to Secretary Palmschold ; this ralmschold is also related to us on our mother's side, not through the Behms, but through Marten Hanson, whom the people in Helsingland called the father of the land. The wife or mother-in-law of this Marten Hanson was a Ralamb. Our late maternal grandmother also was third cousin to the old Councillor of State Clas. Ralamb. Johan Eschilson, our grandmother's father, who, in the Russian war, at the time of Count Jacob de la Gardie, was lieutenant in the cavalry, in Evert Horn's regiment (the same who was field-marshal, and fell before Pleschow in 1617), was married to the daughter of Marten Hanson. Subsequently he was burgomaster and factor in Soderhamn. His second wife was an admiral's widow, whose name I have forgotten. He lies buried in Storala church, and has his coat-of-arms upon his tomb. The genealogical register of Marten Hanson, which
* Peter Schonstrom, the writer of this letter, confounds here two "Wemstedts. The elder "Wernstedt, Christofi'er von Warenstedt, married Lucretia, daughter of Duke Magnus, one of the sons of Gustavus Wasa. The younger Wernstedt, Johan von Warenstedt, the son of Christoffer, who was a colonel, had a daughter Lucretia, who was married to her step-brother Seved Ribbing — see "Ajirep's Attartaflor"4S Vol. IV, p. 589. Moreover, the younger Warenstedt was a colonel, while his father was governor of the northern part of Sweden.
•j- Gustav Bhxencrona, who died in 1701, was mamed to Mett a, daughter of Seved Ribbing. .Theii- daughter Catharina Magdalena, who died in 1745, was married to Secretary Elias Palmskold, who died in 1719 — see "Anrcp"^8 Vol. I, p. 223.
80 SWEDENBORG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 8.
was traced by Secretary Palmschold from Fale Bure, the avenger of Saint Ericus' death, you can probably get from Chamberlain von Walcker; for he, with the Cronstedts, also descends from Marten Hanson.*
But to return to the Behms. Isac Behm lies buried in Rorstel church in Roslagen, where he was possessed of an estate in fee ; upon liis tomb there is almost the same coat- of-arms which is upon the tomb of our maternal grand-father in Salberget. He had two sons. The name of the eldest I do not remember : he had a son in that war who was captain of horse in the East-Grothland regiment. This was the same who in the time of Charles XI looked after so much hidden treasure (rosen). The name of the other was Michael Behm ; he was an officer at the court of Queen Christina, the mother of Gustavus Adolphus, who had Gefle for her jointure. His
* According to Anrpp43 the relation between the Behm family, and the Palmskold, Cronstedt, and von Walcker families, was not through Marten Hanson, but thi-ough his wife Ingrid Pedersdotter. In Yol. I, p. 422, this author makes the following statement respecting Peder Hansson, the ancestor of the family "Cederskold ;" "Peder Hansson," citizen and member of the council in (jefle, died in 1612. He was mamed to Ingi'id Pedersdotter (bom 1574), daughter of Peder Pedersson from Helsingland, citizen and merchant in Gefle. Ingiid Pedersdotter was afterwards married to Marten Hansson ilodbeck, councillor in the same town."
By her mairiage with Peder Hansson, Ingrid Pedersdotter had two sons: 1. Ehas Pedersson GaveUus, burgomaster of Gefle: one of whose sons-in-law was Sigfrid "Wolker, the father of Chamberlain von Walcker, and another was Eric Larsson Palmskold, the father of Secretary Palms- kold; his son Petrus EHas GaveUus was ennobled, and assumed the name "Cederskold;" 2. Dr. Peder Pedersson GaveHus, who was the ancestor of the noble family of "Cronstedt."
By her marriage with Marten Hansson Rodbeck, Ingrid Pedersdotter had one daughter, Anna Martensdotter Rodback, who was manied to the burgomaster Johan Eskilsson in Soderhamn; their daughter Catharina Johansdotter was mamed to Assessor Albrecht Behm, the maternal grand- father of Emanuel Swedenborg and of Peter Schonstrom (see "Amep"48 Vol. I, p. 134, and also our Document 9, B); while another daughter Inorid Johansdotter was married to Abraham Momma, ennobled under the name of Reenstiema, a patriotic merchant and banker in Stockholm, who instituted many manufactures and iron -works in Sweden, and advanced money to the government. Their daughter Anna Maiia Reenstierna was the second wnfe of Peter Schonstrom, brother of Bishop Swedberg, see "Anrep," Vol. IH, p. 318.
Doc. 8.J LETTER FROM PETER SCHoySTROM 81
son's name was Jonas Belim; -who was burgomaster in Gefle, and was married to a Sclu-oder*; from the same Schruders descended also Superintendent Schroder, and the wife ol Dean Gadda. This Jonas Behm liad twelve sons and a daughter. From the daughter are the Tehls, and the wives of Palmrot, Diurberg, and Wallin. One of these twelve sons was our maternal grandfather, and another Daniel Behm, who was Councillor of Court, and left two sons, Daniel Behm, Lieutenant-colonel of the Sodermanlanders for war, and Axel Behm, Assessor in the Court of Appeals in Jonkoping. One of the descendants of this Daniel Behm was the wife of Lieutenant- colonel Falkenhjelm, of the artillery. One of these twelve Behms was admiral or schoutbyvacht (?); another was factor in Soder- hamn, and was father of Fru Brita Behm-{- (who is married to the Councillor of Commerce Alderstedt), and grandfather of Captain llidderhaf ; he was likewise father of a certain Captain Behm now living. These Behms, who are the posterity of Factor Behm, are on their mother's side related to the Countess Piper. One of the twelve was Lars Behm in Grufriset, about whom you wrote to me. My paper does not allow me to write more, neither have I any more to write except that by acting upon my proposal you may find out much, and gratify me by so doing.
I remain
your most obedient servant
P. SCHONSTROM.*'
♦ Anrep's Attartaflor,^? Vol. I, p. 134, states that Jonas Behm was not married to a Schroder, but to a Kroger, see Document 9,B.
•j- This is not the Biita Behm, with whom Swedenborg had several lawsuits; she was his maternal aunt and the daughter of Assessor Al- brecht Behm ; while the fonner Brita was the daughter of burgomaster Hans Behm; (see Amep's Attai-taflor.^s Vol. I, p. 31, Adierstcdt, Table I).
DOCUMENT 9.
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER OF THE SWEDEN-
BORG FAMILY, FROM ANREP'S
"ATTARTAFLOR."*^
A.
SWEDBERG AND SCHONSTROM FAMILIES.*
[Otto of Sundborg, an opulent miner. His son Nils Ottesson of Helsingborn; he had a son Isaac Nilson of Framsbacka, and his son was Daniel Isaachson of Sweden.] j
TaUe I.
Daniel Isaacsson; Bergsman, i. e. miner, in Fahlun. Married about 1640, Anna Bullernsesia, daughter of the pastor in Svardsjo, Magister Petrus Bullernsesius. Their sons called themselves Swedberg after their homestead Sweden, near Fahlun.
Sons:
Peter Swedberg, after being ennobled, Schonstrom, born 1644, died in 1692. See Table 3.
Dr. Jesper Swedberg, born 1653; Bishop of Skara; died in 1735. See Table 2.
[Daniel Swedberg, master of mines (bergmdster).
Johan Swedberg, father of the Peter Swedberg who com- municated to Emanuel Swedenborg our Document 7.
Isaac Swedberg accountant.]:}:
* From Anrep's "Attartaflor,"4S Yd. Ill, pp. 699 and 700.
•f The portion in brackets has been supphed from Document 7,
^ This portion has also been supplied from Document 7.
Doc. 9.J GENEAL OG Y OF S WEDENBORG. 83
TaUe II.
Dr. Jesper Swedberg (son of Daniel Isaacson. Table 1), born August 28, 1653, in Sweden; was ordained into tlie mi- nistry and appointed chaplain of the horse-guards in 1682; became master of philosophy in the same year; chaplain of the court in 1688; dean and pastor of Wingaker in Soder- manland in 1690; professor in the university of Upsal in 1692; dean of the cathedral in Upsal, 1694; superintendent of the Swedish churches hi America, London, and Portugal, 1696; Bishop of Skara, 1702; doctor of theology, 1705; died July 7, 1735, at Brunsbo, his bishop's seat near Skara. His children were ennobled on May 23, 1719, under the name Swcden- borg (his sons were introduced in 1720 under the number 1598). He was married 1. on Dec. 12, 1683, to his brother's sister-in-law, Sarah Behm, who was born Jan. 4, 1666, and died June 17, 1696; daughter of Albrecht Belim, assessor in the College of IMines, (owner of the iron-works at Tallfors), and of Catharina Johansdotter ; she was also sister of Captain- lieutenant Albrecht Behm, who was ennobled under the name De Behm, No. 1256: 2. on Nov. 30, 1697, to Sara Bergia,* mdow of Justice (Imradsliofding ) Norhng: 3. on Dec. 25, 1720, to Christina Arrhusia,-{- daughter of Johan Arrhusius, Dean of Fahlun.
Childeen:
1. [Albrecht, who died in childhood.]:}:
2. Anna Swedberg, when ennol)led, Swedenborg, born 1686, died 1766. (See Document 9, C. Table 1).
* According to the Swcd. Biog. Lex. Vol. XVI, p. 285, Bishop Swed- berg was the third husljand of Saiah Bergia. Her first husband was Michel Hising, a merchant in Koping; her second husband J. Nordlind, justice of the peace.
•}■ Christina Arrhusia was bom Dec. 6, 1661; she was the dauo-Jiter of Dean Johannes Arrhusius in ll'ahlun and Sara Hising. In 1699 she was married to Anton Swab, clerk in the copper-office in Fahlun, wliosc second wife she was. Anton Swab died in 1712. His first wife had Ijcen Helena Bergia, a sister of Bishop Swedberg's second wife, Sarah Bergia. See Anrep, Vol. IV, p. 288.
I Nos. 1, 5, and 6, of Bishop Swedberg's children ai-o sujjphed from the Swed. Biogi-. Lex., Vol. XVI, p. 285.
6*
84 SWEDENBORG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 9.
3. Emanuel Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, born 1688; Assessor; died 1772. (See Document 9, C. Table 2).
4. Hedwig Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, born 1690, died 1728. (See Document 9, C. Table 3).
5. [Daniel, died in childhood.]
6. [Eliezer, died in his 25tli year*, was married to Elisa- beth Brink, who after his death in 1717 married the Coun- cillor of Mines, Anders Swab.]-j-
7. Catharina Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, born 1693, died 1770. (See Document 9, C. Table 4).
8. Jesper Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, born 1694; lieutenant. (See Document 9, C. Table 5).
9. Margaretha Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, born 1695. (See Document 9, C. Table 15).
Table III. Peter Swedberg, when ennobled, Schonstrom, (son of Daniel Isaacson, Table 1), born 1644; attendant on the Swedish ambas- sadors, Fleming and Coijet, in London and Breda; clerk in the College of Mines, 1670; treasurer in the same, 1671; master of mines in Eastern and Western Dalecarlia, 1675; was ennobled on Nov. 1, 1683, and introduced in 1686 under No. 1056. Assessor in the above-named college, 1691 ; died May 22, 1692, and was buried in Hed's church in Westmanland. He was married: 1. in 1680 to Anna Margaretha Behm, who Avas born in 1660 and died in 1688; she was daughter of Albrecht Behm, assessor in the College of Mines (owner of the iron-works at Tallfors) and Catharina Johansdotter, who was the sister of Captain-heutenant Albrecht Behm, when ennobled, De Behm, No. 1256: 2. on May 14, 1689, to a cousin of his first wife, Anna Maria Reenstierna, this being her first marriage; daughter of the manufacturer Abraham Momma, when ennobled E,eenstierna, No. 818, and Ingrid Johansdotter ;|: in 1694 she was
* This statement is made by Bishop Swedberg in his Autobiography, see Document 11.
t See Am-ep's "Attartaflor," Vol. IV, p. 288, Table 2.
^ Ingi'id J ohansdottei' was a daughter of burgomaster Johan Esldlsson in Soderhamn and his first wife, Anna Martensdotter Rodbeck, see Anrep, Voh III, p. 318. She was the sister of Catharina Johansdotter, who was married to Assessor Albrecht Behm.
Doc. 9.] GEXEAL OGY OF S WEDENB ORG. 85
married a second time to Colonel Nils Djurklo, when ennobled, Djurklow, No. 968; died 1714.
Childeen of his fiest wife:
1. Peter,*^ born 1682; lieutenant-colonel; died 1746.
2. Anna Catharina, bom 1683. Married, June 11, 1697, to the Royal physician (archiatcr) Olof Rudbeck,^^ the younger, when ennobled, Rudbeck, No. 1037, lord of the manor inBrunna, Kydingeholm, and Bro-Lofsta, who was born in 1660. She was his second wife, and died in 1740.
3. Albrecht, born October 10, 1684; lieutenant-colonel of the horse-guards; he died in 1740, and was buried in the family vault in Hed's Church. Was married on Nov. 22, 1715 to the Baroness Ulrica Adlersten, born in 1694, and daughter of the provincial governor. Baron Goran Adlersten. One of their daughters, Elisabeth Maria, born in 1725, was married in 1748 to the Bishop ofWesteras, Dr. Lars Benzel- stierna;^" and died in 1800.
4. Magdalena, born in 1680; married the Quartermaster Ge- neral, Lars Spole, when ennobled, Rosenborg; she died in 1760.
Childeen of his second wife:
5. Margaretha Elisabeth, born 1690, died 1751; was married to Col, Henric Julius Voltemat, when ennobled, Voltemat, who was born 1689, and died 1764.
6. Sara Helena, born 1091, died 1779, at Karmansbo iron- works in Westmanland; was married to Major Johan Loth, when ennobled, Loth-Ornskold, born 1690, died in 1728.
7. Abraham Daniel, born 1692; chamberlain; died in 1759, without issue. He was married in 1750 to Hedwig Sophia Arosell, when ennobled, Adlerheim, daughter of Superior Judge (Lagman) Carl Arosell and Sophia Christina Hjilrne; born 1713, died in 1780.*
* The last male descendant of the Schonstrom family, Captain Pehr Albrecht Georg, died in 1848.
86 SJVEDENBOEG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 9.
B. BEHM FAMILY.*
[Admiral Isaac Belim, married to a daughter of Cliristoplier von Warenstedt and Lucretia Magnusdotter, a natural daughter of Duke Magnus, son of Gustavus Wasa.
Son:
Michael Behm, an officer of Queen Christina, mother of Bang Gustavus Adolphus, who had Gefle for her jointure.] -f
Table I.
Jonas Michaelson Behm; burgomaster in Gefle about the year 1611. In 1610, he married Anna Kroger, daughter of Daniel Kroger and Anna Margaretha Pehrsdotter ot Gefle.
[They had twelve sons and one daughter. From the daughter are the Tehls, and the wives of Palmrot, Diurberg, and Wallin.] t
Sons:
Daniel Behm, when ennobled, Behmer, owner of Ytterbynas and Tuppenhorn, born in Gefle 1611, died in 1669. He was tutor to one of the sons of Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, to which circumstance he owed his rapid promotion. In 1649, he became assessor of the Court of Appeals; in 1650, he was ennobled; and in 1664, he was made councillor of the Court. He was married in 1643 to Brita Schytte, daughter of Henning Schytte, a merchant in Nykoping, and sister of Joachim Schyttehielm, the councillor of finance (kammer-rdd), and also of Bishop Henning Schytte; and in 1669, to Magdalena Lindegren, daughter of Assessor Nils Lindegren, and Anna Sjoblad. They had four sons and seven daughters, but the last male descendant of this family, Daniel Behmer, Knight, died in 1710.
Albrecht Behm; Assessor, died in 1679. (See Table 2.)
[Hans Behm, burgomaster, who was married to Catharina Hansson. See "Anrep," Vol. I. p. 31.
* See Anrep's "AttartaHor," Yol. I, pp. 134, 135, and 535. ■{• The bracketed portions are supplied from Document 8.
Doc. 9.J GEXEAL OGY OF S WEDEXB OEG. 87
Lars Belim, a member of the Court of Mines in Falilun, was married to the eldest daughter of Marten Larsson in Gruf Rijset. See Document 7.]
Table II.
Albrecht Behm (son of Jonas Michaelsson Behm, Table 1), owner of Tallfors iron-works; master of mines in Wester- Bergslagcn; assessor in the College of Mines, 1675; died in Stockholm, in 1679. Married Catharina Johansdotter, who, in consequence of a long and severe illness, became diseased in her mind, and committed suicide in 1672; she, nevertheless, received an honourable burial, and lies interred in Sala church. She was the daughter of Johan Eskilsson, burgomaster in Soderhamn, and Anna Martensdotter Rodback. Cheldeen :
Albrecht Behm, when ennobled, De Behm; lieutenant in the Surbeck regiment in France; he was ennobled Jan. 24, 1693, on his retui'n to Sweden, and introduced, the same year, under No. 1256; in 1695 he was made captain-lieutenant in the Helsinge regiment; he died unmarried, and in him his noble family ended. While in the service of France he was in several battles, and proved a bold and conscientious officer; he quitted the Swedish service on account of the state of his health and his melancholy. (See "Anrep" Vol. I, p. 535).
[Anna Margaretha Behm, born in 1660; the first wife of Assessor Peter Schonstrom. (See Document 9, A, Table 3). She died in 1688.
Sarah Behm, who was born April 1, 1666, and died June 17, 1696. She was married to Bishop Jesper Swedberg, and was the mother of Emanuel Swedenborg. (See Document 9, A, Table 2).
Brita Albrechtsdotter Behm,^° who was married to Prof. Johan Schwedc in Upsal. Her daughter Eva Schwede was married in 1714 to Prof. Johan Upmark, when ennobled, Ro- senadler,^^ who became afterwards the censor of the press, and in 1722 Councillor of Chancery. Eva Schwede died in child- birth, 1717. (See "Anrep" Vol. Ill, p. 457).
Catharina, who died in 1686, second wife of Magister Laui'cntius Petri Aroselius, Dean of Sala. Their son Peter
88 SWEDENBOBG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 9.
Arosell was ennobled under the name of Adlerheim. (See "Anrep," Vol. IV, p. 188).
A fifth daughter Erlena (?) was married to Major Erland Erling; they had a daughter Maja.] The names of Fru Erlena Erling and of Maja Erling occur in the "Acts" preserved in the Hofratten (Court of Appeals) of a law-suit which was pending in 1722, between the heirs of Albrecht De Behm, and Brita Behm.*
C. SWEDENBORG FAMILY, f Table I. Anna Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg (daughter of Bishop Swedberg, see Document 9, A. Table 2), born Sept. 19, 1686, died May 20, 1766, in Linkoping. Was married June 16, 1703, to the celebrated archbishop. Dr. Eric Benzelius*^ the younger, who was born in 1675, and died in 1743. Their chil- dren, with those of all the other Benzelii, were ennobled under the name Benzelstjerna. Children:^
1. Eric Benzelius, when ennobled, Benzelstjerna, owner of Boksholm in Dref 's parish and Kronobergs Ian, was born April 29, 1705, in Upsal; he entered the College of Mines in 1726; be- came inspector in "Stora Kopparberget," 1731; member of the Mining Court, 1738; master of mines in Schonen, Halland, and Blekinge, etc., 1742; assessor in the College of Mines, 1760; retired as councillor of mines in 1763; and died 1767, at Boksholm. He was married in 1732 to Christina Ehrenholm, who was born in 1705, and died in 1770. One of his three sons was called Hans Emanuel.
2. Margaretha Benzelia, when ennobled, Benzelstjerna, born March 17, 1708, died Dec. 27, 1772, in Copenhagen. She was married in 1726 to Prof. Andreas Norrelius in Upsal, but was divorced from him.§
* The portion in brackets is supplied partly from other parts of An- rep's "Attartaflor," partly from the "Acts" mentioned above.
t See Anrep's "Attartaflor," Vol. IV, 292-294, "Swedenborg," Table 1. i See "Anrep" Vol. I, p. 149. "Benzelstjerna," Table 2. § See "Biographiskt Lexicon," Vol. X, p. 118. "NorreKus."
Doc. 9.] GEXEAL OG Y OF S WEDENB ORG. 89
3. Dr. Carl Jesper Benzelius, was born Jan. 16, 1714, in Upsal; received holy orders, 1737; was appointed curate of the Swedish Church in London, 1738; royal court-chaplain, 1741; doctor of theology in Helmstadt, 1748; professor of theology in Lund, 1750; Bishop of Strengnas, 1776; received the order of the north-star, 1786; and died in Strengnas, 1793. Li 1748, he was appointed teacher of the Swedish language to Princess Louisa Ulrica [who subsequently became Queen of Sweden]. In 1751, he was ennobled together with his brothers and sisters, but he retained his former name on account of his being in holy orders. He had one son and four daughters; one of the daughters was married in 1783 to Jonas Cederstedt, the councillor of mines.
4. Albrecht Benzelius, when ennobled, Benzelstjerna, born Feb. 11, 1715. He was manufacturer of all sorts of woollen goods, with the title of director, and died in 1763 at Dingelvik a Dahl. He was married in 1743 to Johanna, daughter of Timan, the administrator of crown-lands, in Linkoping. One of their sons, Lars Benzelstjerna, who was an ensign in the Swedish navy, went to Copenhagen in 1789, for the purpose of setting fire to the Russian fieet; his plot was discovered, and he was condemned by the Danish government to pass the remainder of his life in a fortress in Norway. He was, however, subsequently released.
5. Adolph Benzelius, when ennobled, Benzelstjerna, born July 19, 1718; entered the service of engineers in Sweden; ensign in the Hessian army; lieutenant in the French army; lieutenant in the English army in 1755; engineer of fortifications in America, 1761; superintendent of forests in the district of Crown-Point; died at Crown-Point in 1775. He was married to Rebecca Trauberg, daughter of the Swedish pastor, in Racoon, New Jersey, and Elisabeth Andersdotter Rudman. His daughter Anna Ulrica was married to Thomas Sparham, M. D. of Kings- ton, in the province of Quebec.
6. Ulrica Benzelia, when ennobled, Benzelstjerna, born May 14, 1725, died May 5, 1766. She was married in 1740 to the Bishop of Linkoping, Dr. Petrus Filenius,^ who died in 1780. She was his first wife.
90 SWEDENBOBG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 9.
TaUe II.
Emanuel Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg (son of Jesper Swedberg, See Document 9, A. Table 2), born Jan. 29, 1688; Assessor in the College of Mines; retired in 1747. Died unmarried, March 29, 1772, in London, at Great-Bath Street, Coldbath Fields, and was buried in the Swedish Church in the same city. He is the Emanuel Swedenborg who became world-renowned on account of his visions and his rehgious doctrines.
TaUe III
Hedwig Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg (daughter of Jesper Swedberg, see Document 9, A. Table 2), born Nov. 30, 1690, died Dec. 19, 1728; was married, July 18, 1714, to her sister's brother-in-law, Lars Benzelius, when ennobled, Benzel- stierna,^ who was born in 1680, and died in 1755. His second wife, whom he married in 1732, was Catharina Insenstjerna, daughter of Commissary Henric Insen, when ennobled, Insen- stjerna; but all his children are by his first marriage. Childeen :*
1. Eric, born June 18, 1715; auscultant in the College of Mines; 1735; notary, 1744; died March 15, 1745, at the Lind- fors ironworks in Wermland, and was buried in Spanga Church.
2. Jesper Albrecht, born May 13, 1716; volunteer of engineers, 1736; adjutant in the same corps, 1741 ; lieutenant; was drowned during the Finnish war, March 30, 1743.
3. Lars,^° born at Starbo in Dalecarlia, April 4, 1719; student in Upsal, 1728, in Lund 1735; master of arts, 1738; theological tutor, and received holy orders, 1741; professor of Greek in Upsal, 1746; professor of theology, and pastor of the Danmark Church, 1747; doctor of theology, 1752; Bishop of Westeras, 1759, and also bishop of the order of seraphims; member of the order of the north-star, 1784, etc.; died Feb. 18, 1800, in Westeras. Was married to Elisabeth Maria Schonstrom (see Document 9, A. Table 3) born Oct. 24,
* See "Am-ep" Vol. I, p. 151, "Benzelstjerna," Tables 14, 15.
Doc. 9.] GEXEAL OG Y OF S WEDENB ORG, 91
1725, died April 8, 1801, in Westeras. Their daughter Catharina Eleonora, born in 1751, was married to Bishop Baron Carl Eduard Taul)e of Odenkat, pastor primarius in Stockholm, who died in 1785.
4. Hedwig, born in 1721, died the same year.
5. Carl, born Oct. 18, 1723; auscultant in the College of Commerce, 1741; vice-actuary in the same college, 1744; auscultant in the College of Mines, 1745; member of the Court of Mines in Falilun, 1748, and in Sala, 1752; fiscal advocate, 1756; retired, 1759; died in Stockholm, April 3, 1808. Married in 1758 Louisa Sophia Brath, born in 1739, died in 1780, at Albo in Alands parish and Upland, daughter of the Olof Larsson Brath, mine-owner at Fosked in "Wermland, and Elsa Johanna Geijer.
6. Fredric, born March 10, 1726; corporal in the horse- guards; lieutenant in the French army, 1745; captain in Stralsund, 1749; died, 1750, unmarried,
Tahle IV.
Catharina Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg, (daughter of Jesper Swedberg) (see Document 9, A. Table 2), born April 18, 1693, died March 8, 1770. Married the Dean of Lidkoping, Magister Jonas Unge.^ [Children:]*
1. Helena, married, first, the Vicar of Gothened, in the bishopric of Skara, Dr. Laurentius Svenonis Noring, who afterwards became the court chaplain in chief, and died in 1757, on his estate Hanakra; and secondly. Baron Carl Adam Silverhjelm, at Flisholt, who was born in 1719, retired in 1764 as colonel, and died in 1771 (see "Anrep,'' Vol. Ill, p. 731).
2. Theophila, born in 1728, died in 1791; was married to Baron Fredric Silverhjelm (brother of Baron Carl Adam Silverhjelm), at Orsbyholm, who was born in 1726, became colonel of infantry, and died in 1783.
* These are all the children of Dean Unge whose names we could find in our researches.
92 SWEDENBOBG'S ANCESTRY. [Doc. 9.
3. Jesper Unge.*
4. Stina Louisa Unge.*
Table V. Jesper Swedberg, when ennobled, Swedenborg^^ (son of Jesper Swedberg, see Document 9, A. Table 2) at Brandstorp in Westergotbland, born Aug. 16, 1694; lieutenant. Married in 1727, Christina Silfversvard, born in 1708, daughter of Major Gustav Silfversvard and Marta Reutersvard. Childeen:
1. Sara Christina, born Dec, 11, 1727, married in 1752 to Sergeant J. Leijer.
2. Eleonora, born June 25, 1729, died, in 1791, unmarried.
3. Emanuel, born Dec. 2, 1731;