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TESTIMONY OF THE REV. N. COLLIN- 41
at leisure hours, to amuse himself and his officers with the solution of prob-
lems.
" 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 ac-
quired by the labors of youth, and a means of making it very beneficial to the
nation : that Board having inspection over the mines and metallic works, so im-
portant in that country, and being a constitutional department of the govern-
ment.
" Swedenborg asserts with truth, that he was in favor 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 extraordinary talents and literary acquisi-
tions. She patronized the arts and sciences in Sweden. Her large and ex-
cellent library, wliich I have seen, employed much of her time. Gustavus her
son, then hereditary prince, afterv/ards 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, honored 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; be-
sides, the National Church has never been severe ; and liis 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 fellow-
ship with angels. Some rather considered his theological theories as imbecili-
ties ; the author above mentioned,* so candid in his eulogium, laments, never-
theless, the striking contrast between the algebra and the visions of the New
Jerusalem.
" 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 de-
notes the second class of noblemen ; the first among the three classes being
counts.
" My conversation with Swedenborg, and other authentic sources of information con-
cerning 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, published till the year 1765 ; among
them, Arcana Ccdestia, De Ccdo ei 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 atten-
tion 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 ap-
pendages. There he received company. Not seldom he also appeared in
pubUc, and mixed in private societies ; therefore sufficient opportunities were
* See above p. 40.
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