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32 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
cellent library, which I have seen, employed much of
her time. Gustavus her son, then hereditary prince,
afterwards king, was distinguished by his talents and
promotion of the sciences, both useful and ornamental.
The prelates and others of the clergy, many of whom
were his relatives and friends, honoured him on the same
ground, being themselves scholars and well-bred persons.
He could therefore assure his friend that he was in no
danger of persecution ; besides, the National Church has
never been severe ; and his works were at that time in the
Latin language, beyond the reach of the common people.
I must, however, observe, that but few paid him this
respect, on account of his fellowship with angels. Some
rather considered his theological theories as imbecilities ;
the author above-mentioned,* so candid in his eulogium,
laments, nevertheless, the striking contrast between the
algebra and the visions of the New Jerusalem.
66
Swedenborg states properly his rank of nobility.
He had the common degree; and was not, as many in
America style him, a baron ; which title denotes the
second class of noblemen ; the first among the three
classes being counts.
" My conversation with Swedenborg, and other au
thentic sources of information concerning him :
–
"In the course of my education at the University of
Upsal, I had free access to its excellent library, which,
by its own revenue, and by donations, receives continually
one or more copies of every interesting new book. There
I perused the theological treatises of Swedenborg, pub
lished till the year 1765 ; among them, Arcana Cœlestia,
De Calo et Inferno, &c. In that year I went to reside
at Stockholm , and continued partly in that city, and partly
in its vicinity, for nearly three years. During that time,
Swedenborg was a great object of public attention in this
metropolis, and his extraordinary character was a frequent
topic of discussion. He resided at his house in the
southern suburbs, which was in a pleasant situation, neat
and convenient, with a spacious garden and other appen
* See above p. 30.
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