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Doc. 208 ] HIS SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE IN 1743. 135
borg made in 1743 of his journey to the Hague [Document 207],
where he had gone to begin the printing of the Regnum Animale
and to write out its continuation. The notes of his journey
were, however, abruptly broken off, and they are succeeded
.
by short statements about dreams and visions, with which are
interwoven various facts concerning his outward life. As these
notes embrace the critical period of Swedenborg’s life, when
he passed from worldly to spiritual things, they are of great
importance, since they enable us to judge of his mental state,
which they present as in a highly excited condition, and enable
us to regard it more profoundly, than was previously possible.
The editor, however, acts altogether in the capacity of a student
of the history of literature, and limits himself to a simple
communication of the document in the original form in which
he found it. Certain conclusions will naturally present them
selves to the thoughtful reader ; and, besides, commentators
will probably not be found wanting.
"With respect to the mode in which these notes are
published, the editor has perhaps gone too far in the matter
of accuracy, by marking with italics the many words which
were not finished or where single letters or portions of words
are indicated by mere final flourishes. Yet in dealing with a
manuscript which was penned with so little care, that the
writing is in many parts almost illegible and the meaning of
ten doubtful, he preferred to expose himself to this charge,
rather than to the opposite one of carelessness ; especially as
by doing so he would remove every ground of suspicion that
he had intentionally falsified any statement. Words and
letters which were entirely left out in the original are put in
brackets ; likewise explanations of words incorrectly written.
Entire words and sentences printed in italics are underscored
in the original. As a proof of the authenticity and genuineness
of the printed copy, the editor refers to the photographic
reproduction of p. 57, at the end of the volume, and to the
certificate of Mr. F. A. Dahlgren of the State Archives, our
distinguished reader of manuscripts, who kindly assisted in
reading the proof-sheets, and shrewdly suggested the reading
of many of the more difficult words. " The certificate of
Mr. Dahlgren in which he testifies to the faithfulness of the
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