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42 [Doc. 5.
GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
but he observed at the same time, that any intelligent man
could see, that he was not able to do miracles.
31. During the session of the Diet he was interested in
hearing news from the House of Nobles, of which he was a
member by virtue of his being the head of the Swedenborg
family. He wrote several memorials; but when he saw that
party -spirit and self- interest struggled for mastery, he went
rarely up to the House of Nobles. In his conversations with
his friends, he inveighed against the spirit of dissension
among the members of the Diet; and in acting with a party
he was never a party-man, but loved truth and honesty in
all he did.
32. I asked Swedenborg whether in our times it was worth
while to pay attention to dreams; upon which he answered,
that the Lord no longer, at the present day, makes revela
tions by dreams ; but that, nevertheless, it may happen that
one who understands correspondences may derive advantage
from his dreams ; just as a person that is awake, may examine
his own state by comparing his own will with God’s com
mandments.
33. Swedenborg did not appear in the character of an
alms-giver; and when he was asked the reason, he said:
“ Those who are poorest are either lazy or good for nothing;
and, moreover, alms are often injurious to those that receive
them , when any one from mere goodness of heart takes pity
on the indigent.” He did not lend money ; “ for," said he,
" this is the direct way to lose it ;" moreover, he added, that
he had need of all his money for his travels, and for the
printing of his works.
34. Many, during Swedenborg’s life-time, wondered where he
obtained money enough to make such long journeys, and to in
cur such heavy expenses. But when we take into considera
tion his economical mode of living, and the little money he
needed while travelling, a moderate capital only was required
for this purpose ; especially, also, as his philosophical and
mineralogical works had a large sale. Nor did his spiritual
writings remain on the booksellers’ shelves, but always yielded
him some resources. From his father, Bishop Swedberg, too,
he had obtained a considerable inheritance (See Note 19],
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