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Doc. 255.] 433
GENERAL TUXEN’S TESTIMONY.
he loves and fears God; whether he is happy in seeing the
welfare of others, and does not envy them; whether, on having
received a great injury from others, which may have excited
him to anger and revenge, he afterwards changes his senti
ments, because God has said, that vengeance belongs to him,
and so on ; then he may rest assured, that he is on the
road to heaven; but when he discovers himself to be ac
tuated by contrary sentiments, on the road to hell. This led
me to think of myself as well as of others.
6. I also asked him, Whether he had seen the lately de
ceased King Frederic V., adding, that although some human
frailty or other might be attributed to him, yet I had certain
hopes that he was happy? His answer was, "Yes ; I have
seen him, and I know that he is very happy, and not only he,
but likewise all the kings of the house of Oldenburg, who are
all associated together. This is not the happy case with our
Swedish kings, some of whom are not so well off. " This he
said in the presence of the consul and the Swedish captain
with whom he sailed.
7. He added further: "In the world of spirits I have not
seen any one so splendidly served and waited on, as the de
ceased Empress Elizabeth of Russia." * As I expressed much
astonishment at this, he continued, "I could also tell you the
reason, which few would surmise ; viz. That with all her
faults she had a good heart, and, with her neglect or indiffe
rence, a certain consideration which induced her purposely to
postpone signing many edicts and papers that were from time
to time presented to her, for which reason they multiplied to
such a degree, that at last she could not examine or peruse
them, but was obliged to believe the representations of the
ministers, and sign as many as possible ; after which she would
retire into her closet, fall on her knees, and beg forgiveness
of God if she had, against her will, signed anything that was
wrong." When this conversation was ended, Swedenborg in
a friendly and civil manner took leave, and went on board.
* She died January 5, 1772. Concerning her see the "Spiritual Diary,”
no. 6027, as printed by G. E. Klemming in the Appendix to "Sweden
borg’s Drömmar,” pp. 66 to 70.
+ Compare also Document 5, no. 19 (Vol. I, p. 38).
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