EMANUEL SWEDENBORG
father and mother. The traits are the natural ones of the time of life. What we specially observe with Swedenborg is their vigor and power, eminent by inheritance, and conserved in remarkable degree by a freedom from all ignoble passions and weak indulgence, which we can attribute only to the protection that came with a deep sense of duty to God and to man. His appointment as Assessor in the College of Mines now gave him at twenty-eight years of age his eagerly sought opportunity for practical service to his country, happily in the line of his scientific and mechanical studies. This was the form of the appointment:—
"Charles, by the grace of God, King of Sweden, Gothia, and Wendia, etc. Our especial favor and gracious pleasure, under God Almighty, to the true men and servants, to our Council and President, as well as Vice-President, and to all the Members of the College of Mines. Inasmuch as we have graciously deigned to command that Emanuel Swedberg shall be Assessor Extraordinary in the College of Mines, although he at the same time is to attend Polheimer, the Councillor
54