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420 TESTIMONY OF CONTEMPORARIES. [Doc. 253,
in promoting them by a long unremitting warfare, which was
indeed, after the defeat at Pultowa, a necessary struggle for
the independence of his country. He had also acquired some
knowledge of the Mathematics, and used, at leisure hours, to
amuse himself and his officers with the solution of problems.
"Swedenborg composed an Algebra in the Swedish language,*
published in 1718. His Regnum Minerale,† which he mentions,
is well known, and may be seen in the Library of Philadelphia.
The office of Counsellor [Assessor] in the Metallic College
[College of Mines] was conferred on him by King Charles, as
a reward for knowledge acquired by the labours of youth, and
a means of making it very beneficial to the nation : ‡ that
Board having inspection over the mines and metallic works,
so important in that country, and being a constitutional de
partment of the government.
"Swedenborg asserts with truth, that he was in favour with
the royal family, and generally respected by the highest classes.
This was due to his learning and excellence of character. The
then queen, Louisa Ulrica," sister of Frederic, the celebrated
King of Prussia, had extraordinary talents and literary acquire
ments. She patronized the arts and sciences in Sweden. Her
large and excellent library, which I have seen, employed much
of her time. Gustavus,12 her son, then hereditary prince, after
wards king, was distinguished by his talents and his promotion
of the sciences, both useful and ornamental. The prelates and
others of the clergy, many of whom were his relatives and
friends, honoured him on the same ground, being themselves
scholars and well-bred persons. He could therefore assure
his friend that he was in no danger of persecution ; besides,
the National Church has never been severe ; § and his works
were at that time in the Latin language, beyond the reach of
the common people. I must, however, observe, that but few
paid him this respect on account of his fellowship with angels.
Some rather considered his theological theories as imbecilities;
* See Document 76, Vol. I, p. 290.
See Vol. II, p. 5, footnote 2.
Cfr. Document 144, Vol. I, p. 403.
§ Document 245, containing Swedenborg’s Controversy with the Con
sistory of Gottenburg gives a different view.
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