SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS AT HOME
of what it is most practicable for him to carry out in his life. I remain, most honored and dear brother,
"Your most faithful servant and brother, "Eman. Swedenborg."
The last letter to Benzelius preserved for us containing much information about his studies, is dated May 2, 1720—
"I am at present engaged in examining all the chemistry contained in the treasury of the Sudeman Library, which belongs now to Hesselius; for I have proposed to myself to examine thoroughly everything that concerns fire and metals, a primis incunabulis usque ad maturitatem, according to the plan of the memorandum which has been already communicated to you. I take the chemical experiments of Boyle, Reucher, Hjärne, Simons, and others, and trace out nature in its least things, instituting comparisons with geometry and mechanics. I am also encouraged every day by new discoveries as to the nature of these subtile substances; and as I am beginning to see that experience in an uninterrupted series seems to be inclined to agree therewith, I am be-
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