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270 [Doc. 65.
SWEDENBORG’S CORRESPONDENCE.
The same rule applies to surfaces, so that large bodies at
last are incapable of sustaining themselves; and, accordingly,
nature itself provides birds with a much lighter and stronger
substance for their feathers, and also quite different sinews
and bones in the body itseli, which are required for the sake
of strength and lightness, and which do not exist in any other
organisms; wherefore it is so much more difficult to have any
success in the air, the same qualities being required in this
case, and all the materials being wanted which are neces
sary when a human body is to be carried in a machine.
But if it were possible for a man to move and direct all that
so large a machine requires, in order to bear him , the whole
thing would be done. In this case, however, a good use
might be made of a high wind, if it were even and steady.
Still, no harm can come of it, when that which is already
written upon it is printed with the rest; only a difference
must here be made between what is certain and what is
uncertain .*
With regard to the finding of the longitude of places, I
must confess, that I cannot yet comprehend the thing so
clearly in all its parts as I ought ; but still it appears plausible
to me. I took occasion myself to think in what manner this
might best be done, and I have found three methods of ascertain
ing the longitude of places by means of the moon, although they
all have their objections; 1. By means of the eclipses, which is
not feasible at all times ; 2. By the difference of latitude
between the moon and the equator in each meridian ; but
as this is at times small, and sometimes equal to nothing, it
has therefore its difficulties; and 3. By means of the parallaxes,
which make a smaller difference. A plan which pretends to
perfection in this matter is certainly entitled to a hearing ; and
it is, therefore, well worth while to follow out these things a
little more, if not for the sake of gain, at least for that of
curiosity.
* Swedenborg’s article on the art of flying appeared in No. 4 of the
“ Dedalus Hyperboreus," under the signature of N. N., but he appended
to it all the objections which Polhem made in this letter. This problem,
with a design from Swedenborg’s hand, is contained in Vol. I of the photo
lithographic edition of his MSS., pages 21 and 22.
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