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DOCUMENT 94.
SWEDENBORG TO BENZELIUS.*
7
Most honoured and dear brother,
Respecting the theory that the Aurora Bore
alis originated in fiery eruptions, which converged hither from
Hecla, Vesuvius, or Etna, my candid opinion is as follows:
1. It is well known that the air has been loaded or im
pregnated with sulphur, as has been noticed from so many
meteors and other phenomena, which have appeared in the
air, from the Aurora Borealis, from the effects of thunder,
and the luminous appearances around lofty towers from sul
phurous air, and also from the fact that sulphur and other
substances accompany rain, showing that the air has occasion
ally been highly charged with sulphur.
2. It seems that the origin of these conditions ought to be
ascribed to the great heat of some summers, unaccompanied
by rain, or to the severe dry cold of winter.
3. We know that in every soil, during summer, perpetual
distillations and sublimations are going on ; sometimes particles
are loosened, sometimes they are combined, sometimes they
are formed into certain growths, sometimes the particles
vegetate; so that according to the state of the weather an
infinite number of chemical operations are noticed in the earth .
4. Moreover, it is known that the sublimations of sulphur
abhor all dampness, and require certain higher degrees of
heat; if now there have been one or two summers without
rain, preceded by severe winters, it is no wonder that the
* “ Benzelius’ Collection ," Vol. XL, No. 113. An English translation
was published by Mr. White in his “New Churchman, " Vol. 2, page 41,
letter 3.
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