Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church/Chapter3

by Benjamin Worcester

 

III

SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS AT HOME

Having concluded his studies abroad, Emanuel returned to the paternal home at Brunsbo in 1715. Then his father, in accordance with the custom of the times, made application to Government to give him employment. Meanwhile Emanuel makes preparation for the scientific periodical he had projected and seeks to bring into service some of his inventions, of which he writes to Benzelius—

"I looked very carefully for the machines which I some time ago sent to my father; they were eight in number, but I was unable to discover the place in which he had laid them aside. He thinks they have been sent to you, which I hope with all my heart; for it cost me a great amount of work to put them on paper, and I shall not have any time during the next winter to do this over again. There were, First, three drawings and plans for water-pumps, by which a large quantity of water can be raised in a short time from any sea or lake you choose. Second, two machines for raising weights by means of water, as easily and quickly as is done by mechanical forces. Third, some kinds of sluices, which can be constructed where there is no fall of water, and which will raise boats over hills, sand-banks, etc. Fourth, a machine to discharge by air ten or eleven thousand shots per hour. All these machines are carefully described and calculated algebraically. I had further intended to communicate plans of some kinds of vessels and boats, in which persons may go under water whenever they choose; also a machine for building at pleasure a blast furnace near any still water, where the wheel will nevertheless revolve by means of the fire, which will put the water in motion; likewise some kinds of air-guns that are loaded in a moment, and discharge sixty or seventy shots in succession without any fresh charge. Toward winter perhaps I shall draw and describe these machines. I should like to have the opportunity and the means of setting one or other of them up and getting it to work.

"The day after to-morrow I will travel to the Kinnekulle, to select a spot for a small observatory, where I intend toward winter to make some observations respecting our horizon, and to lay a foundation for those observations by which my invention on the longitude of places may be confirmed. Perhaps I may then travel in all haste first to Upsal, to get some things I need for it."

At this time, having recently returned from France, in one letter to Benzelius he says, "Pardon, my dear brother, that I write to you in French. But the language in which you think usually suits you best. My thoughts at present move in this language; but whenever Cicero shall again engage me, I shall endeavor to address you like a Ciceronian." He was now much in conference with the eminent Swedish engineer Polheimer—soon to be ennobled by Charles XII and given the name Polhem—and he urged the founding of a department of Mechanics in the university, in which both Polheimer and he himself would have appointments. But his labors were bestowed chiefly on his scientific periodical, called Dædalus, in which his own and Polheimer's inventions and discoveries were set forth in detail. On the 26th of June, 1716, he writes to his brother Benzelius—

"I am engaged on the subject which I intend for the last number of this year, and which I shall finish this week, namely, Polheimer's ideas upon the resistance of mediums, which at first were written down in Latin, and which have cost me a great deal of labor and mental exertion to reduce into such a form as will please the Assessor and the learned; likewise my method of finding the longitude of places, which I warrant to be certain and sure. I must hear what the learned say about it."

On the 4th of September he writes again to the same—

"I am very glad that Dædalus, part iii, has appeared. I thank you for having taken so much trouble and care with it: when I am present with you, I will thank you still more. I am already thinking of the contents of part v of the Dædalus. I think it will be best for me, first, to put down Assessor Polheimer's ingenious tap, with a sufficient mechanic and algebraic description; second, to make an addition to the description of his 'Blankstötz' machine, as this is a work which requires greater accuracy, reflection, and consideration than it has yet received; third, to leave room for some of the eclipses observed by Professor Elfvius, by which the longitude of Upsal is also obtained. If you would honor our little work with a life of Stiernhjelm, or with something else from the history of the learned, I know that thereby our publication would become more interesting; as in this case the heavy matter would be relieved by more pleasing subjects. I know also that this would gain us the favor and approbation of many, as the literary world acknowledges you as by far its best member; I hope therefore that this honor will not be refused. May God grant you a long life, although I am afraid that your many studies will deprive us of this benefit, by shortening your days: for I know no one who has more consideration for his various studies, and less for himself. All the learned and the Muses entreat you to spare yourself, and in you the Muses. It is worthy of all praise indeed to offer up one's self to the Muses, but not on the very altar; it is easy enough to become a premature victim. Pardon this admonition, my brother; your letter to my father is the cause of it. I hope that my little learning and my Dædalus will be long under your auspices. I think of inserting in the fourth number some Dædalian speculations about a flying machine, and to leave room for Dr. Bromell's curiosities, if he be pleased to insert them. Assessor Polheimer writes that in the following number he wishes to insert such matter as will be of use to the public—such as water and wind machines, mill, etc.—of which I am very glad."

Charles XII had now returned to Sweden, to the great joy of his people, and found much use for both Polheimer and Swedenborg. In December, 1716, Swedenborg writes to Benzelius—

"I wrote you a letter from Lund and should have written to you more frequently had I not been prevented by my mechanical and other occupations; moreover I had enough to attend to in order to accomplish my design. Since his Majesty graciously looked at my Dædalus and its plan, he has advanced me to the post of an Assessor Extraordinary in the College of Mines, yet in such a way that I should for some time attend the Councillor of Commerce, Polheimer. What pleases me most is that his Majesty pronounced so favorable and gracious a judgment respecting me, and himself defended me against those who thought the worst of me; and that he has since promised me his further favor and protection, of which I have been assured both directly and indirectly. But let me tell you all more in detail. After his Majesty had sufficiently inquired as to my character, studies, and the like, and I being so fortunate as to have good references, he offered me three posts and offices to choose from, and afterward gave me the warrant for the rank and post of an Assessor Extraordinary. But as my enemies played too many intrigues with the above-mentioned warrant and couched it in ambiguous terms, I sent it back to his Majesty with some comments, well knowing whom I had to depend upon; when there was immediately granted me a new one, and likewise a gracious letter to the College of Mines. My opponent had to sit down at the King's own table and write this out in duplicate in two forms, of which the King selected the best; so that those who had sought to injure me were glad to escape with honor and reputation, they had so nearly burned their fingers.

"Dædalus has enjoyed the favor of lying these three weeks upon his Majesty's table, and has furnished matter for many discussions and questions; it has also been shown by his Majesty to many persons. Within a short time I intend to send you what is to follow for Dædalus, part v; when perhaps Drs. Roberg and Bromell will not refuse to honor it with their contributions; they might possibly derive some profit from it.

"We arrived here at Carlscrona a few days ago, intending after three weeks to go to Gottenburg, and afterward to Trollhätta, Lakes Wener and Hjelmar, and Gullspångelf, in order to examine sites for sluices and locks, a plan which meets with his Majesty's entire approbation. . . . A thousand kind remembrances to sister Anna. The kid gloves have been purchased."

From these letters of what we may still call Swedenborg's youth, we learn better than from any description its exuberance, its energy, its assurance of mathematical power, its fertility of invention, and its strong desire to be employed in practical works for the good of mankind. Mingled with these traits it is pleasant to see the warm, confiding love that overflows to the brother and sister who had cared for and directed his budding manhood, and were still to him as 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 of Commerce, and to be of assistance to him in his engineering works, and in carrying out his designs,—therefore it is our pleasure hereby to let you know this, with our gracious command, and that you allow him a seat and voice in the College whenever he be present, and especially whenever any business be brought forward pertaining to mechanics. We hereby commend you, especially and graciously, to God Almighty "Carolus.
"Lund, December 18, 1716."

The College of Mines consisted of a President, always of the highest order of nobility, two councillors of mines, and some six assessors. Under its charge the whole mining interest of Sweden was placed. From its records it appears that on April 6, 1717, Mr. Emanuel Swedberg, appointed by his Majesty to be Assessor Extraordinary in the College of Mines, being present, "As a beginning of his introduction, the royal decree which had been received was read. Afterward the above named Assessor, after delivering to the Royal College the formulary of the oath signed by himself, took the oath of loyalty and of office, with his hand upon the Book, and then took the seat belonging to him."

With this simple, solemn induction into his office, Swedenborg entered upon his labors to which he gave strict attention, unremitted save on leave of his sovereign in the pursuit of his studies, for thirty years; with what satisfaction to the College and to the Government we shall learn when we find him asking permission to retire. The office was a favorable one, demanding his best talent and energy, yet not so engrossing as to prevent his pursuing private studies. Except in the summer months, when the members of the College usually visited the mines, daily meetings were held in Stockholm, at which Swedenborg was punctual in attendance, when not in service elsewhere. For a while, however, by the command of Charles he was kept away in assisting Polhem—as Polheimer was called on being ennobled. Nor by the King's wish did he fail to continue his Dædalus. On the 23d of February, 1717, he writes to Benzelius—

"Enclosed I send Dædalus, part v, and I most humbly solicit you to extend to it the kindness that you have shown toward the former numbers. I should have finished it long ago, but I have been continually on a journey of ever changing direction, which scarce left me an hour's time for such work. But as I have now arrived at Stiernsund, I have found an opportunity for a few days to get this up as well as I can. I hope it will win the approval of the Upsal people, and especially your own.

"I have added the Latin to it on the opposite page, according to his Majesty's wish, who pointed out to me where the Swedish should be and where the Latin. . . .

"As his Majesty seemed to be interested in the manufacture of salt in Sweden, we gathered minute information about it in Uddevalla; and we found that in Sweden there are the best opportunities for its manufacture, as there is abundance of forest and water for promoting the work. . . . Should such a work be established, it would profit the country more than the whole of its iron manufacture, in which a loss is occasionally sustained; but in the case of salt there would be a real gain and the money would remain in the country.

"We hope that our journey hither will in time be of importance. At Trollhätta, Gullspångelf, and Lake Hjelmar also, we found everything feasible, and at less expense than had been anticipated. If I do nothing more in the matter, I act at least as a stimulus in it.

"Will you please remember me kindly to little brother Eric. I hear that his love for mechanics and drawing continues. If he can give the slip to his preceptor, I should like to induce him to follow me; when I would try in every way to promote his welfare, to instruct him in mathematics and other things, should it be desired. Please remember me also a hundred times to sister Anna."

The project referred to in this and a preceding letter, for which Swedenborg and Polhem had visited Trollhätta, was to connect the North and the Baltic seas by a canal, thus saving the long detour about the southern peninsula and the exposure to the hostile Danes, at Elsinore. It was a project of Bishop Brask in 1526, discovered by Benzelius and communicated by Swedenborg to Charles XII, who embraced it eagerly, but was prevented by death from completing it. As completed in more recent times the canal follows in great part the course undertaken by Polhem and Swedenborg, and a disused portion still bears the name of Swedenborg,

In January, 1718, Swedenborg writes to Benzelius declining his offer to seek for him the then vacated professorship of Astronomy at Upsal, for the reason that he had now full employment in more practical matters and in the study of mechanics. He concludes, "I have five little treatises which I desire to lay before my friends; one, which I have finished to-day, is on the round particles, in which Dr. Roberg will probably be interested, for he is well skilled in all that concerns these least things, and is delighted with such subjects."

In these extracts from Swedenborg's letters, of which we have more at this period of his life than at any other, we copy without reserve whatever seems to throw any light on his character and on the nature of his pursuits. The entire collection is to be found in Tafel's Documents, in which it makes one hundred and seventy octavo pages. During the publication of the Dædalus, from 1716 to 1718, Swedenborg published little else. A small tract in Swedish on the tinware of Stiernsund, 1717, is attributed to him; and it is probable that his Algebra, a 16mo of 135 pages, was printed in 1718. Of works of this period in manuscript there are still preserved an essay on the Importance of Instituting an Astronomical Observatory in Sweden; one on the Causes of Things; a New Theory concerning the End of the Earth, in which he holds that the earth revolves in a resisting medium and is gradually retarding its motion and approaching the sun; a Project for Assisting Commerce and Manufactures, by controlling the export of Swedish iron and copper; a Memorial on the Establishment of Salt-works in Sweden; an Essay on the Nature of Fire and Colors; and some discussions of higher mathematics, involving the Differential and Integral Calculus. Of the direction of his studies at this time, the following letter to Benzelius, written 30th January, 17 18, gives further information:—

"I send you something new in physics, on the particles of air and water, proving them to be round, which may militate against the philosophy of many; but as I base my theory upon experience and geometry, I do not expect that any one can refute it by arguments. Preconceived ideas received from Descartes and others will be the greatest obstacle to it, and will cause objections. Dr. Roberg, who in everything that is minute and subtile is himself subtile, is best able to judge respecting it: if you would therefore be kind enough to leave this with him, I should like to hear his opinion. If Professor Valerius would lay aside his own and his father's Cartesianism, his opinion would also be valuable to me. I have materials enough on this subject to fill a large book, as is done by the learned with their speculations abroad; but as we have no appliances here for such large publications, I must cut my coat according to the cloth and introduce only the most general views. The use of this seems to me to enable us to investigate more thoroughly the nature of air and water in all its parts: for if the true shape of the particles is once discovered, we obtain with it all the properties which belong to such a shape. I hope that this rests on a solid foundation. In future I should not wish to publish anything which has not better ground to rest upon than the former things in the Dædalus."

In the summer of the same year by the King's command he was engaged in the construction of the above-mentioned Baltic and North Sea canal. In September he writes to his brother-in-law—

"I found his Majesty most gracious toward me, much more so than I had any reason to expect, which I regard as a good omen. Count Mörner also showed me all the favor that I could wish.

"Every day I had some mathematical matters for his Majesty, who deigned to be pleased with all of them. When the eclipse took place, I took his Majesty out to see it, and talked much to him about it. This, however, is a mere beginning. I hope in time to be able to do something in this quarter for the advancement of science, but I do not wish to bring anything forward now except what is of immediate use. His majesty found considerable fault with me for not having continued my Dædalus; but I pleaded want of means, of which he does not like to hear. I expect some assistance for it very soon.

"With respect to brother Esberg [a nephew of Benzelius], I will see that he gets some employment at the locks; but nothing can be done before next spring. If he meanwhile studies mathematics well and begins to make models, it will be perhaps of use to him. I wish very much that little brother Ericus was grown up. I believe that next spring, if everything remain as it is, I shall begin the building of a lock myself and shall have my own command; in which case I hope to be of service to one or the other. I receive only three dalers a day at present at the canal works, but I hope soon to receive more.

"Polhem's eldest daughter is betrothed to a chamberlain of the King, of the name of Manderström. I wonder what people will say about this, inasmuch as she was engaged [by her father] to me. His second daughter is in my opinion much prettier.

"How is Professor Valerius? I should be very glad to hear of his health and good condition. Remember me to sister Anna."

Polhem's second daughter, Emerentia, was young at this time, not quite sixteen, and did not, it would appear, reciprocate Swedenborg's tender feeling. Her father, it is said, gave him a written claim upon her in the future, in the hope that she would become more yielding, and this contract she was obliged to sign. But she fretted about it so much every day that her brother was moved with compassion and purloined the contract from Swedenborg, whose only comfort consisted in daily perusing it, and who therefore quickly missed his treasure. His sorrow at his loss was so evident that her father insisted on knowing the cause; and on learning it, was willing by an exercise of his authority to have the lost document restored. But when Swedenborg himself saw her grief, he voluntarily relinquished his right and left the house with, it is said, a solemn vow never to fix his affections on any woman again. However this may have been, it is certain that he never married and that he never forgot his first love. What called Swedenborg to Strömstadt he does not explain. But from other sources we learn that he was engaged in superintending the transportation of two galleys, five large boats, and a sloop seventeen miles overland, from Strömstadt to Iderfjol, for the aid of Charles XII in his operations against Frederickshall. Baron Sandels in his eulogy gives the credit of the feat to Swedenborg, and in fact we have seen that several years before he had drawn out plans for such transportation; but we do not know whether the plan adopted was his or Polhem's.

In October of the same year, 1718, he writes again from his father's home at Brunsbo—

"Most honored and dear brother,—I am just starting for Carlsgraf, after having been here about three weeks. Meanwhile I have seen Dædalus, part vi, through the press. It contains the following articles: 1. Directions for Pointing Mortars, by C. Polhem; 2. An Easy Way of Counting Balls which are Stored in the Shape of a Triangle, by Em. S――; 3. Useful Directions in Ship-Building; 4. A Proof that our Vital Nature consists of Small Tremulations, with a great Number of Experiments; 5. Respecting a Curve the Secant of which forms Right Angles with it. I have sent this, the figures and letter-press, to his Majesty. As soon as I have an opportunity I will send it over to you."

The close of this year, 1718, was the close of the life of Charles XII, killed on his expedition to Norway, and the end of his important projects. It is a year later when we hear again from Swedenborg, writing from Stockholm to Benzelius—

"What I have in hand consists, first, of a minute description of our Swedish blast-furnaces; secondly, of a theory or an investigation into the nature of fire and stoves, in which I have collected everything I could gather from blacksmiths, charcoal-burners, roasters of ore, superintendents of iron-furnaces, etc.; and upon this the theory is based. I hope that the many discoveries which I have made therein will in time prove useful. For instance, a fire may be made in some new stoves for warming, where the wood and coal which usually last a day will last six days, and will give out more heat. Vice-President Hjärne has approved of this in all its particulars, and if desired I can show the proof of it. The former of these treatises I handed in to-day to the Royal College of Mines.

"I have also written a little anatomy of our vital forces, which, I maintain, consist of tremulations. For this purpose I made myself thoroughly acquainted with the anatomy of the nerves and membranes; and I have proved the harmony which exists between that and the interesting geometry of tremulations—together with many other ideas in which I found that I agreed with those of Baglivius. The day before yesterday I handed them in to the Royal Medical College.

Besides this, I have improved the little treatise which was published at Upsal about the high water in primeval times; and I have added a number of clear proofs, together with an undeniable demonstration how stones were moved in a deep ocean. I have also adduced arguments to show how the northern horizon was changed, and that it is reasonable to suppose that Sweden in the primeval ages was an island. This I have handed in to the Censor of Books, so as to publish it anew. There is also quite a number of smaller papers. The deep study by which I have endeavored to compass these subjects has caused me to look with contempt upon everything I have heretofore published; but I intend to improve them very much when they are to be translated [from Swedish into French or Latin]. . . .

"With much love, I remain your most faithful servant, Eman. Swedenborg."

This is the first letter we have in which Swedenborg assumes the new name which had been given in June to the wife and children of Bishop Swedberg, with admission to the equestrian order of the nobility, and so to a seat in the Diet—an an honor granted by the new Queen, Ulrica Eleonora, younger sister of Charles XII, out of the friendly regard she had always shown for the independent clergyman, and in return perhaps for his support of the royal power.

The essays here referred to are still preserved, but most of their subjects were afterward treated at much greater length. In the till then little explored field of geology Swedenborg's study of the mines of Sweden gave him eagerly grasped opportunity, and as in everything else, though not making it a specialty, he carried his observations and conclusions far ahead of his time. Prof. Alfred G. Nathorst in his "Geology of Sweden," 1892, credits Swedenborg with being the first to conclude from various observations that Sweden was formerly covered with the sea, a large part of its rocks having been formed of marine deposits. He says—

"As a whole it may be regarded as distinctive of Swedenborg's method of demonstration that where possible he seeks to confirm the correctness of his position by means of experiment. He may therefore be regarded as one of the first in the field of experimental geology. . . . [Quite in accordance with most modern conclusion] he denies that the whole interior of the earth is in a glowing state, and thinks that the volcanoes receive their nourishment from melted masses in the earth's crust."^[1]

Three weeks later, Swedenborg writes again to Benzelius, "I am delighted to hear that what I wrote you in my last was to your liking." He adds some further argument to show that no sudden approach to the sun is taking place. Incidentally he brings in his theory of the vortical energy which controls the solar system, and also each world in itself, but in too brief terms to be cited as a statement of the theory. At greater length he gives reasons for thinking that the sun cannot be, as some had conjectured, the abode of the damned. He would rather suspect that there is the abode of the blessed; since from the sun is all the heat, light, and life of the world, indeed the most refined elements of existence, where we might look for that which is above and within matter, and might even imagine the seat of God Himself.

Here we have a ready basis for Swedenborg's later understanding that God is in the Sun of heaven, and that through this Sun He sends life and force into the sun of this world, for the support of material existence. As to the fires of the damned, he suggests that the pain of burning is the effect of destruction of tissue, which cannot be what is meant in the Bible; but rather he thinks the remorses of conscience might be a sufficiently strong fire. In this, too, he is approaching the doctrine he afterward taught, that the fires of hell are the fires of selfish passion. But he piously concludes, "I hope that my philosophizing may not be misinterpreted; for, after all, the foundation is God's Word"

On the 1st of December he writes again—

"Most honored and dearest brother,—I send you herewith the little work which I mentioned in my last respecting a decimal system in our coinage and measures. This is the last that I will publish myself, because every-day and home affairs grow of small account, and because I have already worked myself poor by them. I have been singing long enough; let us see whether any one will come forward and hand me some bread in return.

"There are, however, some plans which I have entertained for some time, and which at last have assumed a definite shape. I should like to see how far they meet with your approval: First, to translate what I have published into Latin or French, and to send it then to Holland and England; to which I should like to add, by way of improvement, some of my discoveries about fire and stones, and about some improvements in mining matters; besides some other papers which are not yet printed. Would you be kind enough to give the names of some who write scientific papers and memoirs? Second, as I think I now in some measure understand the mechanics which are of use in mining districts and in mines, so far at least as to be able better than any one else to describe what is new and old there, and further to understand the theory of fire and stones, as to which I have made quite a number of discoveries, I intend to spend all my remaining time upon what may promote everything that concerns mining, and on the basis which has already been laid, in collecting as much information as possible. Third, if fortune so favors me that I shall be provided with all the means that are required, and if meanwhile by the above preparations and communications I shall have gained some credit abroad, I should prefer by all means to go abroad and seek my fortune in my calling, which consists in promoting everything that concerns the administration and working of mines. For he is nothing short of a fool who is independent and at liberty to do as he pleases and sees an opportunity for himself abroad and yet remains at home in darkness and cold, where the Furies, Envy, and Pluto have taken up their abode and dispose the rewards, and where labors such as I have performed are rewarded with misery. The only thing I would desire until that time comes is bene latere, to find a sequestered place where I can live secluded from the world. I think I may find such a corner in the end either at Starbo or at Skinskatteberg. But as this would take four or five years' time, I am quite ready to acknowledge that long-laid plans are like long roofs, apt to tumble in; for man proposes, God disposes. Still I have always been in favor of a man's knowing what he is doing, and of his forming for himself some clever plan 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 becoming more and more confirmed in my ideas. It seems to me that the immense number of experiments that have been made affords a good ground for building upon; and that the toil and expenses incurred by others may be turned to use by working up with head what they have collected with their hands. Many deductions may thus be made which will be of use in chemistry and metallurgy, and in determining the nature of fire and other things."

 

1. Letter of Alfred H. Stroh, May 31, 1903, in The New Philosophy.