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TESTIMONY OF THE REV. N. COLLIN. 31
in all. Mathematics, astronomy, and mechanics seem
to have been his favourite sciences, and he had already
made great progress in these. Everywhere he became
acquainted with the most renowned mathematicians and
astronomers, as Flamstead, Delahire, Varignon, &c. This
pursuit of knowledge was also united with a constant
zeal to benefit his country. No sooner was he informed
of some useful discovery, than he was solicitous to render
it beneficial to Sweden, by purchase, or sending home
models. When a good book was published, he not only
gave immediate notice of it, but contrived to procure it
for the library of the university.’
" That Swedenborg, on his return, was honoured by
frequent conversations with Charles the XIIth, may well
be believed by all who knew the real character of that
king: he was not a mere warrior, but fond of useful
sciences, though impeded from their promotion by a long
unremitted warfare, which was indeed, after the defeat at
Pultowa, a necessary struggle for the independence of his
country. He had also acquired some knowledge of the
Mathematics, and used, at leisure hours, to amuse himself
and his officers with the solution of problems.
"Swedenborg composed an Algebra in the Swedish
language, published in 1718. His Regnum Minerale,
which he mentions, is well known, and may be seen in
the library of Philadelphia. The office of Counsellor
in the Metallic College was conferred on him by King
Charles, as a reward for knowledge acquired by the
labours of youth, and a means of making it very bene
ficial to the nation : that Board having inspection over
the mines and metallic works, so important in that
country, and being a constitutional department of the
government.
66
Swedenborg asserts with truth, that he was in favour
with the royal family, and generally respected by the
first classes. This was due to his learning and excellence
of character. The then queen, Louisa Ulrica, sister of
Frederic, the celebrated king of Prussia, had extraor
dinary talents and literary acquisitions. She patronized
the arts and sciences in Sweden. Her large and ex
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