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240 SWEDENBORG’S CORRESPONDENCE. [Doc. 50.
interesting pieces, which will serve our common work, both
in the place of an ornament and of tapestry in gold .
The machine of Mr. Lunström in Avestad has already run
its course ; it has not yet paid the King’s taxes, nor even
two per cent like the others that are subject to the King ;
nor will it ever pay taxes, if it cannot defray its own ex
penses. Mr. Swab will report this to the College of Mines
here. This is the destiny of machines invented by a master
who is merely an empiric, and has no knowledge of theory. If it
would not be displeasing to Mr. Polhammar, I would offer to
present a more simple machine, in place of this unfortunate one.
The models in the College of Mines are going to ruin as
time advances. After six or ten years they will only be good
for fire-wood, unless I choose to prevent that destiny by
means of a little brass, a little ink, and some paper. Just the
opposite, therefore, to the common saying is going to take
place ; according to which that which is to have some share of
eternity, will not smile upon the days of its master . * My dear
brother, I suspected the same in regard to Mr. Werner,67
about which you enlighten me by very many proofs. He
is a man who thinks he can accomplish everything by promises
and pleasant words; and as he is solely intent upon his own
puny glory, he thinks only of feeding it by all the worldly
advantages that are offered to him . My dear brother, if you
would favour me with a letter to him, he might be persuaded;
but the principal motives must be honour and self-interest,
to secure his services.
With regard to the dedicationt I must obey you. If you
* Or in other words: According to the common saying, the works of
a master are appreciated only by posterity, and not by his own times
and in agreement with this principle, the wonderful machines for mining
purposes invented by Polhammar, which were in the keeping of the
College of Mines, were allowed by the authorities of the College to go to
ruin. Owing to the representations made by Swedenborg these machines,
however, were saved from destruction, and they are, moreover, described
by him in his “Dedalus Hyperboreus.”
+ The “dedication” of which Swedenborg writes here is the dedication of
his “ Dædalus Hyperboreus," which Ericus Benzelius insisted should be ad
dressed to King Charles XII. Swedenborg did so only out of consideration for
his relative, as he expected little advantage would result from the royal
patronage.
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