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6 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
lished in Latin), under the title of Dedalus Hyperboreus,
and which were commenced in 1716, evinced his taste
for those sciences. May it not be said, that these pro
ductions of a young author gave reason to expect from
him others which should bear the stamp of a Dædalus ?
But let us not estimate the strength of his genius
merely by the productions of his youth which had yet
appeared. It is not by the press alone that we can always
judge of an author’s learning. An indifferent work is
often adorned with a pompous title : and the best authors
are they who take sufficient time to furnish their minds
with knowledge and with solid principles. These attain
ments Swedberg first sought in the University of Upsal ;
afterwards, during four successive years, in those of
England, Holland, France, and Germany.
But we have to follow him in longer and more numerous
travels, in diversified occupations and undertakings, and
through routes often attended with difficulty. And in
order that no reserve or apprehension may afterwards in
vade us, and make us hesitate at accompanying him any
farther, as often happens when we have not had time to
make ourselves sufficiently acquainted with a travelling
companion beforehand, represent to yourselves in Swe
denborg the happy union of a strong memory, a quick
conception, and a sound judgment ; represent to your
selves these excellent qualities united to an ardent desire
and encouraging hope of acquiring the most profound
attainments in Philosophy, in all the branches of Mathe
matics, in Natural History, in Mechanics, in Anatomy,
and even in Theology : let us not forget his skill in the
Oriental and European languages : let us recollect the
force of habit, acting in him in concert with the use of
reason, especially in respect to the order in which he
arranged his thoughts ; without a regard to which, when
they are too much occupied upon abstruse meditations,
they are apt to give themselves up, without distinction of
objects, to the fire of a too lively imagination : add to
all this an excellent heart, as proved and formed by the
rules which he had prescribed for his conduct, and which
I have found noted down in several of his manuscripts,
A
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