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26 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
A collection of Latin verses, which he had composed in 1710, and the follow-
ing years, and which he published at Skara, under the title of " Ludus Heliconius;
sive Carmina Miscellanea, qu(B variis in locis cecinit Em. Swedberg," displayed an un-
common liveliness of talent, and evinced how well he had employed the studies
of his youth. How proud would many be, had they been able to give, at such
an age, such proofs of genius
!
But poetry did not constitute his chief employment. The Essays and Re-
marks on questions in Mathematics and Physics, which he printed at Stock-
holm, in six parts, in the Swedish language (the fifth part being also published
in Latin), under the title of Dcedalus 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 whiclv should
bear the stamp of a Daedalus ?
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 sohd 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 ta 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 invade 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 Swedenborg the happy union
of a strong memory, a quick conception, and a sound judgment ; represent to
yourselves these excellent qualities united to an ardent desire and encouraging
hope of acquiring the most profound attainments in Philosophy, in all the
branches of Mathematics, in Natural History^ in Mechanics, in Anatomy, and
even in Theology : let us not forget his skill in the Oriental and European lan-
guages : 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, which are
these:—1. Often to read and meditate on the Word of God. 2. To submit every-
thing to the will of Divine Providence. 3. To observe in everything a propriety
of behavior, and always to keep the conscience clear. 4. To discharge with
fidelity the functions of his employments and the duties of his office, and to
render himself in all things useful to society. Such were the characteristic traits
of Swedenborg’s mind : and whoever thinks there is the least exaggeration in
the delineation of them, must, in some shape or other, be the victim of prejudice.
Let such consider more closely what I have already said, and what I have still
further to say.
Let us now hasten to receive him on his return home from his first travels,
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