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Doc. 5.) 41
ROBSAHM’S MEMOIRS.
amer
ican
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27. I have just mentioned that Swedenborg was in the habit
of saying: “ Well! well!” This was a phrase which he often used,
when he spoke with any one familiarly; another, which he fre
quently used, was, “Good ! good !"
28. When Swedenborg went abroad, he never studied his
comfort, but always travelled in an open carriage, without a
servant, to Gottenburg; and thence he went by sea either to
England or Holland, in order to get his manuscripts printed.
29. I am acquainted with two Englishmen, who are sea
captains and Swedish naturalized citizens; the name of the
one is Harrison, on board whose ship Swedenborg was once
a passenger. During almost the whole voyage he lay in
bed, and nearly the whole time he spoke as if he were in
company. The cabin-boy and the mate said to the captain
that Swedenborg must be mad ; he answered, " he may be
what he pleases, but as long as he remains quiet, I have
no authority over him ; he is always prudent and discreet
in speaking to me, and in answering me ; you see your
selves that we have the most favourable wind; and if this
weather continues as it is, I shall make the quickest passage
I have ever made." Harrison added laughing, " If Swedenborg
chooses, he can always have a free passage with me; for dur
ing the whole of my experience at sea, I have never sailed
better."
30. The other sea-captain is Brovell, with whom Sweden
borg sailed from London to Dalarö, a passage which was
made in eight days. During this voyage, as in that with
Harrison, Swedenborg generally lay in bed and talked;
but when he went on board at London, he said to the cap
tain that he hoped they would have a favourable wind. This
came soon, and it continued until their arrival at Dalarö,
whence Swedenborg pursued his journey by land. There is no
doubt also that previously to this favourable change the captain
had a contrary wind, which lasted several days ; nevertheless,
he regarded Swedenborg neither as a conjurer nor
madman, but he looked upon the whole occurrence as a mere
coincidence. I asked Swedenborg about these voyages of
his, and he said, that he himself wondered at the remarkably
good fortune which he always had when he travelled by sea;
as a
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