!

the former. The mixture of theory and first a star, which in process of time was incrustpractice in his works, shows the extraordinary ed, and formed a planet. 2. The earth is balanced activity of his mind, as well as his good sense, in the solar vortex, which seems to be owing to an and makes every thing interesting and useful; anced like a hollow globe of metal. 3. There are internal vacuum, whereby the crust might be balfor it was not only the mines that he meant to many volcanoes in existence at the present day, examine, but all that could fix the attention and formerly they were still more numerous; furof a traveller: hence, nothing seemed to es-thermore, there are thermal springs and boiling cape his observation.

waters gushing from the bowels of the earth. 4. Minerals are formed, and metals, and many substances undergo various changes in the bosom of earth's crust becomes covered with vegetation. the earth; moreover flowers spring up, and the 5. And many mountains have been converted into lime, and seem to have been burned up by fire. All these circumstances appear to prove the existence of a central fire, which, in particular places, bursts through the crust that encloses it.

27. One of his discoveries at this time was that of the gradual subsidence of the Baltic Sea, which, with his geological observations n the field, led him to conclude that deep waters once covered the inhabited ground; and that the unevenness of the land was owing to the accumulation of mud, sand, shells, and stones, at the bottom of the ocean. He also explained the "I admit that it is undeniable that a certain translation of the huge bowlders which are dropped here and there over the plains, by al- in some parts of the earth's crust a degree of heat subterranean fire really exists; that is to say, that leging the powerful action of the waves-a is perceptible, which causes thermal springs, volpoint in which his mathematical skill has been canic eruptions, and many other phenomena; but confirmed by modern science; in numerous in- whether this heat proceeds from the earth's censtances, he may be said to have anticipated tre, and whether there be a cavity full of fire, or the enlightened speculations of modern geolo- an igneous void - this is to the last degree questionable, and for the following reasons. 1. Begists; but it would be inconsistent with our limits to dwell upon particulars of this nature. hard bodies, as in carbonaceous matter already cause fire cannot live, unless it be enclosed in We will only add that the célebrated Dumas mentioned as shut up with the fire in a furnace. ascribes to Swedenborg the origin of the mod-2. But if the furnace contain no solid fuel, although ern science of crystallography. We quote, it be full of flames, no sooner is it closed, than the here, from the New Jerusalem Magazine, of fire dies out, lasting in fact no longer than the November, 1830: — heat remains in the hard bodies. Consequently "The science of crystallography is of recent fire cannot be kept in a cavity unless solid suborigin, and has lately attracted the notice of some stances be present. If, therefore, there be any very able men. Nearly all simple substances and heat in the centre (supposing a central vacuum to many of the compounds found in nature have reg-exist), such heat must come from the substances ular forms. These are of almost every variety of of the crust, instead of the crustal heat proceedshape, but each substance has its own; and this ing from the centre. 3. Hence we may conclude original figure, as it may be called, often serves to that heat exists in many parts of the earth's crust, distinguish substances which it would be difficult and not in others; but as for its source, and the otherwise to discriminate. The basis of the manner in which it is kept up, see the observations science is an analysis of the various figures, so on Thermal Springs." - Miscellaneous Observathat they may be reduced to a very few simple tions, pp. 100, 101. forms, which, by addition one to the other, may make all the existing varieties. This subject is mentioned in a work on Chemical Philosophy,' recently published in Paris, consisting of a course of lectures delivered in the college of France, by M. Dumas, a gentleman of much and deserved celebrity. There is a notice of this work in the forty-fifth number of the Foreign Quarterly Review, published in London. M. Dumas distinctly ascribes to Swedenborg the origin of the modern science of crystallography. He says, 'It is, then, to him we are indebted, for the first idea of making cubes, tetraedes, pyramids, and the different crystalline forms, by grouping the spheres; and it is an idea which has since been renewed by several distinguished men, Wollaston in particular.' The reviewer afterwards says, that the systems of Swedenborg and Wollaston differ essentially, but Le does not state wherein the difference consists." 28. We cannot forego, here, a notice of another subject, which was the object of Swedenborg's remark at this time. We allude to the theory of the Central Fire of the Earth.

"The opinion has been very prevalent," he says, "that the nucleus or interior of the earth is hollow, and filled with a peculiar fire; and this has been attempted to be proved by the following arguments. 1. The earth appears to have been at

29. We quote the following from his remarks on Thermal Springs. After mentioning various facts and experiments, he con

tinues :

"From these examples we may now proceed to consider the subterranean heat which causes the warmth of thermal springs; and we may argue that it will diffuse itself through a whole mountain from a very small beginning; i. e., from some commingling of sulphur, vitriol, iron, and water. These substances would prove quite sufficient for this result, especially in stratified mountains, where the diffusion would easily take place, according to the reasoning and experiments already adduced. These arguments also prove, that when heat is once shut up in these mountains, it may remain for centuries without being extinguished; but as soon as an opening is made, it breaks forth in flames. confined, however, to the crust of the earth, is suf"That there is some sort of subterranean fire, ficiently proved by, 1. The existence of volcanoes, which vomit flames, as Vesuvius, Ætna, and others. 2. Also of mountains which are occasionally hot, and emit hot fumes or vapors. 3. Of others from which the hottest springs gush forth. 4. In many places calcareous stones are found to be converted into true lime, and whole mountains into chalk; strata of calcareous stone with sili

cious matter still enclosed in them, scissel stones, | distillation, the larger saline particles are broken shells, &c., are also converted into lime in like into smaller ones, that is, into acids, which in this manner. These facts render it impossible to deny state appear to exert quite a different effect from the existence of a crustal fire sufficient to pene- that of the salts when larger and entire.” - Mistrate whole mountains, especially such as are lam-cellaneous Observations, p. 132. ellated or stratified; in which, after they have once been heated, the fire, provided it be shut up, may last for ages, without any great consumption of materials." — Miscellaneous Observations, pp. 34,

35.

34. Take, also, a brief remark on Taste:"Every metal has particles of its own of a peculiar form; silver has its own particles; lead and iron also; as proved by the phenomena of crys30. The above extracts are merely frag- iron in another, lead in a third. Every metal forms tallization. Thus silver crystallizes in one way, mentary, taken from the author's passing re- crystals corresponding to the shape of its partimarks, and only given to show his manner of cles. This is also proved by the very different thinking at this stage of his experience. tastes of different metallic solutions. The solution Modern geology may think of it as it pleases. of one metal is austere; that of another is sweet; 31. The following, also, is the concluding a third is exceedingly nauseous, of which mercury paragraph of his "Reasons to show that Min- is an example; a fourth is very bitter, like silver. eral Effluvia, or Particles, penetrate into their This variety of taste must surely result from the Matrices, and impregnate them with Metal, pointed, impresses a varying sensation on the papform of the particle, which, in proportion as it is by means of water as a vehicle," in other illæ of the tongue." - Miscellaneous Observations, words, his idea of the generation of metals in the bowels of the earth. He says, however, "I am not at present speaking of the origin of the effluvia or exhalations, but only of their ingress into the veins should any one be inclined to deduce the origin of the particles from any kind of fire, above or below, I shall not here oppose him. Nor shall I object to any one concluding that there is an influx of metallic particles from the rays of the planets, or from the lightest and most mobile rays of the sun, which may still be extremely cold."

32. He thus concludes the article:

p. 75.

35. The following is interesting on Light, Sight, and Sound:

·

"It would appear that the exquisitely minute particles of ether cannot exhibit the phenomena of light, unless they are struck by particles equally fine and small. If the latter be too large, nothing more than a slow and exceedingly dull undulation will take place in the former; but the reverse if both sets of particles be of one smallness. Thus, 1. The ether may be set vibrating by mercury with its very minute particles, especially in a vacuum. 2. In like manner the ether 'Since, therefore, the above-mentioned waters may be made to vibrate, or the ray to undulate, by are of such very different kinds, some being im- any very subtle exhalations, either whole, or depregnated with sulphurs, others with mercury, and composed in the air, for instance, by saline ramenta, others again with salt or other particles adapted to by urinous and sulphurous matters, provided their this combination, and if we may form an opinion particles be extremely minute. 3. By the most delicate ramenta of salts, when broken, as in the accordingly, we conjecture that such or such a inetal grows or is composed by the meeting of 4. By decayed wood, whilst emitting subtle these different waters. And perhaps posterity particles. 5. And by the effluvia of certain aniwill discover some art, unknown to us, of making mals excited by motion and friction. 6. I need certain species of metals by the mixture of differ- hardly say, also by fire, whose particles are so ent waters impregnated with sulphurs, vitriols, &c. On the above principle it is, that in the same matrice, and in the same stratum, we frequently find four or five kinds of metals together, thus silver is frequently mixed with copper, lead, and gold; copper with zinc, bismuth, tin, cobalt, and marcasites of the most various kinds; which, in our opinion, may have derived their origin from the The sensation of sight points in a manner to a meeting of different waters, that brought with them the most simple particles of sulphur, salts, similar conclusion. The sensations that we have mercuries, &c., &c.". Miscellaneous Observa-appear to be nothing more than the very subtle tions, pp. 118, 126, 127.

33. Another paragraph we give on Petrifaction:

sea.

amazingly subtle, and when undulating will cause ether. 7. So, also, the rays from the sun will an undulation in the rays, or a vibration in the undulate through the whole sky. Hence, according to the bullular hypothesis, it appears, for the reasons already stated, that light may arise in cold substances as well as in hot, and in the dry and

the moist alike.

motions in the smaller particles: and as the most subtle motion amongst such particles can hardly be other than undulatory and vibratory, so I do not know why those persons should be mistaken, who "If, then, we may use conjectures and ideas, in maintain that sensations are merely vibrations or conjunction with experience, to enable us to pros- very s.ble motions in the membranes of our ecute those subjects that are not obvious to the frame. It does not seem possible that the light in our external senses, we may suppose that the petrify- eyes can be, 1. Any quiescent or passive thing. ing juice is the fluid which oozes and exudes from 2. Or any occult quality, for we find in the organ a the harder stones, such as spar, quartz, stalactite, mechanism for receiving the rays. 3. We see &c.; or is the same fluid that converts soft sub- the internal tunics or meninges brought from the stances into rock or stone, and otherwise forms interior of the head, and exposed immediately to imo crystals. Our reason is, that this fluid is the rays. 4. We see a variety of different tunics much more subtle than the dropping water already and fluids in the eye. 5. In the inner part, where mentioned as producing the stalactite, and the the rays are collected, we observe a reticular stony particles contained in it are smaller and lining, so that no ray can escape coming in contact subtler than those existing in the latter; in with a considerable portion of the membrane the same way as when salt water is subjected to therein. 6. We find these membranes conjoined

with the internal membranes, and the rays received of the particles; that the interstices of the communicated to the meninges of the brain. 7. fluids furnish the original moulds of the solids, As, therefore, sensation must consist of some mo- and the rows of crustal particles, forced tion, and as the smallest motion is the vibratory off, one by one, by various agencies, furnish and undulatory, I am not aware that there is any the matter of the same; that after solid parimpropriety in assuming that sight or vision con

sists in the undulation of the rays in the mem-ticles are thus cast in their appropriate moulds, branes of the eye. 8. In the same manner as their fracture, aggregation, the fillings in of ound, which we know for certain is produced by their pores and interstices, by lesser particles, the undulation of the air; for the ear is mechanic- and a number of other and accidental condially formed for its reception; it is tortuous, fur- tions, provide the unities of the multiform nished with membranes, a tympanum, cochlea, substances of which the mineral kingdom is various nerves of the utmost delicacy, malleus, incus, and all the apparatus necessary for vibra- composed; according to which theory, there tion. These subjects, however, will be treated is but one substance in the world, which is the upen elsewhere. At present it is sufficient to first; the difference of things is difference of have pointed out, that light is nothing more than a form; there are no positive, but only relative motion of the smallest particles, that is to say, of atoms; no metaphysical, but only real elements; rays; and as the vibratory is the most subtle mo- moreover, the heights of chemical doctrine tion, we may perhaps find fresh proofs of the existence of light in the bullular hypothesis, and the can be scaled by rational induction alone, principle of the undulation of rays. But as we are planted on the basis of analysis, synthesis and treating of invisibles, and as thought and geome- observation. The Newton of chemistry has try are alone at our service in the investigation, so not yet arisen, but when he does appear, we will submit our views to the criticism of the Swedenborg will doubtless be recognized as learned; and if they can bring forward facts to re- its Copernicus. fute our notions, we shall receive the information in the most grateful spirit." — Miscellaneous Observations, pp. 104-6.

38. After his return from Germany to Stockholm, in 1722, he published, anonymously, a work on the Rise and Depreciation of 36. Our author's remarks on improved the Swedish Currency. He was decidedly opStoves, Fireplaces, and the Cause and Cure posed to a paper currency, unless it repreof Smoky Chimneys, exhibit the Count Rum-sented a specie basis of equal amount; remarkford and Franklin spirit to a remarkable de-ing, in his Memorial to the Senate of Sweden, gree; but we have no room for extracts.

quisite knowledge to fill them properly. During the next eleven years, he divided his time and labors between the Royal College of the Board of Mines, and his studies illustrating Practice and Theory in BUSINESS, and Practice and Theory in SCIENCE.

"that an empire which could submit with only 37. In the preface of his Treatise on the Prin- a representative currency, would be without a ciples of Chemistry, he observes, that physics parallel." And we plainly see the folly of and chemistry are essentially geometrical, and such an attempt, in the issuing of the old that the variety of experiments in both, can Continental Paper, by the American Colonies, be nothing more than variety in position, millions of which were never redeemed. figure, weight and motion of the particles 39. At this time he entered upon the duties of bodies; consequently, that the facts of of the Assessorship, whose function he had these sciences must indicate the geometrical previously been unwilling to exercise, until forms and mechanical motions of the elements he had acquired perfect knowledge of Metalof substances. As the phenomena of the lurgy; hence, he cannot be ranked with those, heavens have at length suggested an astrono-who, without capacity, solicit and obtain places my, founded on mechanical laws, and involv- of trust and profit, while destitute of the reing definite forms and movements, so, it was his design to elicit from the phenomena of chemistry, the shapes, motions, and other conditions of the atoms, or unities of bodies, and thus to introduce clearness into our conception of chemical combinations and decompositions. He did not doubt, that chemistry, in its inmost 40. In a letter to his brother-in-law, about bosom, was amenable to the rules of mechan- this time, he makes the following amusing ics, and that there was nothing necessarily remarks: "It is the fatality of Mathematimysterious in it, nothing occult, nothing but a cians to remain chiefly in theory. I have peculiar portion of the ubiquitous clockwork often thought it would be a capital thing, if, of time and space. His theory is, that round-to each ten Mathematicians, one good practiness is the form adapted to motion; that the cal man were added, to lead the rest to marparticles of fluids, and specifically of water, ket; he would be of more use and mark are round hollow spherules, with a subtle matter, identical with ether, or caloric, in their interiors and interstices; that the crust, or crustal portion, of each particle, is formed of lesser particles, and these again of lesser, and so on; water being, in this way, the sixth dimension, or the result of the sixth grouping

than all the ten." One can now see why he would not accept the Professorship of pure Mathematics that was offered him, but preferred the Assessorship; for he evidently desired to see all truths and principles brought into practice.

41. In 1729, at the age of forty-one, he was

elected a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, at Stockholm; and was one of its most useful and efficient members, both at home and abroad. The eminence of this Institution may be inferred from the fact, that so learned and scientific a man as Swedenborg, was not made one of its members before.

The Principia.

exist from the same first cause; as fire and water, and air which absorbs them both." 45. The above three folio volumes, were beautifully printed in Latin, at Leipsic and Dresden, enriched and adorned with a vast number of copperplate engravings, illustrative of the subjects treated of, and an engraved likeness of the Author; all done at the expense of the Duke of Brunswick, at whose cost Sweden42. We now enter upon another era, in this borg was always entertained, with distingreat man's life, when his experimenting guished favor. The Principia is translated into youth and manhood were past, and he came English and published in two large octavo into possession of a region all his own, and volumes, at the price of seven dollars. This ruled there without a rival, for owing to a is truly a magnificent work, and will speak want of discernment in his contemporaries, he for itself, centuries to come. Indeed, in many inhabited his intellectual estate, unquestioned, respects, but little advance has since been unlimited, uncontradicted, and alone. His made, beyond the points which our Author wondrous career now commences, in the pub-reached. It is regarded by many, as far sulication of that masterpiece of human work-perior to the Principia of Newton. manship the PRINCIPIA.

46. One would hardly imagine, that there are 43. În May 1733, at the age of forty-five, such mighty principles to be found, under the with the permission of Charles XII., king of modest and simple title of "Philosophical and Sweden, he went abroad for the third time, Mineral Works;" but there is great meaning in for the purpose of storing his mind with every this uncommon blending: for Philosophy is kind of knowledge, which was necessary to nothing, unless united with all things; and in the the success of his undertaking, and to publish ascending scale of its alliances, it solicits the his great work, in three folio volumes, of about aid of the mineral universe before arriving at four or five hundred pages, each, entitled the higher degrees of elementary forces, the Philosophical and Mineral Works; embracing region of Causes, the HUMAN, and the the results of the profoundest researches into ETERNAL. This Work is rendered more the domains of nature, from her primordial interesting, on account of its containing the elements, to her greatest organic phenomena. germs of the sublime system of Geological Although there are three distinct works, each Science, which stands forth so prominently at treating on different subjects, and dedicated to the present day. different persons, yet they are all published together, and were always alluded to by Swedenborg, as one work.

47. In his chapter, "On the Means which conduce to True Philosophy, and on the True Philosopher," he maintains that no one can 44. The first volume is called, "The Prin- acquire the former, and not become the latter; cipia, or the First Principles of Natural also, that no one can become a true philosoThings, being a New Attempt towards a Phil-pher, who is not a good man. Previous to osophical Explanation of the Elementary the Fall, he says, "when man was in a state World." This part may be regarded as a of integrity, he had all the essentials of wisTreatise on Cosmogony, in which the Author dom and true philosophy inscribed on his attempts to arrive at the cause, or origin of heart: he had then but to open his eyes, in the universe, by modes of inquiry peculiar to order to see the causes of all the phenomena himself. He takes the position, that nature, of the universe around him; but in his present in all her operation, is governed by one and state of sin and nonconformity to Divine the same general law, and is always consistent Order, he is obliged to investigate truths with herself: hence he says, there is necessity by a laborious external application of the in explaining her hidden recesses, to multiply mind."

experiments by observation. The means lead- 48. R. M. Patterson, late Professor in the ing to true philosophy, he represents as three- University of Pennsylvania, says respecting fold. 1. A knowledge of facts, or experi- the Principia,-"It is an extraordinary promental observation, which he calls Experience. duction of one of the most extraordinary 2. The orderly arrangement of those facts, men that has ever lived. The air of mystiphenomena, or effects, which he calls Geometry, cism, which is generally thought to pervade or Rational Philosophy. 3. The Faculty of Swedenborg's Ethical and Theological WritReasoning: by which is meant, the ability to ings, has prevented philosophers from paying analyze, compare, and combine these facts, that attention to his physical productions, of after they have been reduced to order, and which I now see they are worthy. Many of they present themselves distinctly to the mind. the experiments and observations on MagnetAmong other positions he takes, is this, which ism, presented in this work, are believed to be is proved by modern science; "it is possible, of much more modern date, and are unjustly that many things of opposite natures, may ascribed to much more recent authors."

49. "Its pervading idea is the recognition | discoveries of Farraday, and it is probably of external objects as the product of internal destined to take its place, along with Swedenpowers, and this not as to form only, but as borg's general doctrine of spheres, or exhalato their matter and subsistence. In other tions, as the only hypothesis capable of exwords, it occupies high ground in explaining the plaining the phenomena and correlation of generation of the elements, and ultimately of forces. solid matter, from the occult forces playing with- 50. "Various hypotheses intended to explain in nature, as well as in its attempted explana- the phenomena of planetary motion had been tion of those forces themselves, their origin, constructed, from time to time, on the general and their procedure till they become material-principle that the planets were carried round ized; the great end which its Author already the sun by its supposed ambient ether, or had in view carrying him beyond mere ap- vortex. The most remarkable of these thepearances in one of the most material branches ories were those of Kepler, Descartes, and of physiology. Two things are virtually as- Leibnitz, who not only preceded Swedenborg, sumed in all its deductions, namely, the but were already thrown into the shade absolute reality of the Infinite and the exist- by the successes of Newton, who made his ence of finite entities; it has a good founda- calculations on the presumption that the tion, therefore, in common sense, and has ne- planets moved in a vacuum, before our phicessarily a religious tendency. Descending losopher published his Principia.' Far from The First Natural Point,' - a term from dismayed by these circumstances, Sweby which pure motion is designated, Sweden- denborg boldly attempted to reconcile the borg defines the phenomena of heat, light, laws of gravity with the existence of a vortex, magnetism, and the elementary substances and, though it still remains for the highest themselves, as so many graduated manifesta- authorities to pass judgment on this attempt, tions of Infinite Activity. In the course of it is sufficient evidence of his great genius that his demonstrations he anticipated many discov- the circumstances affecting the periodicity of eries which are considered of more recent date, the comets of Encke and Beila, have left and amongst others the identity of electricity Astronomers no alternative but an accommodaand lightning, and the stellar constitution of tion of this nature. Every one may perceive the Milky Way, together with a complete how irrational it would be to suppose an imtheory of tellurian magnetism." It was in mense void between the soul and the body. June 1752, we believe, that Franklin's cele- On the same principle, it is equally contrary to brated experiment was performed with the reason to imagine its interposition between the lightning, by which its identity with electricity sun as the moving power, and the earth. One was established. Yet no less than nineteen of its first consequences is inconsistent with years previously, in 1733, Swedenborg's Prin- all analogy; plants and animals invariably cipia was published, in which this same truth grow from a central point, and tracks of senis reasoned out as a minor consequent to his sation or vital energy are always laid between philosophy. "Such are the coincidences," that centre and its remotest appurtenances; remarks a London reviewer, "which have this is the one unvarying plan on which all never yet failed in us in any attempted appli- unities are constructed. To look at the Unication of Swedenborg's philosophy, and which verse as a whole, it is perfectly consistent might surprise even the sceptic into a belief with this analogy to regard a planet as one of the brilliancy and originality of his genius," mighty limb; or, more humbly, as a single In respect to tellurian magnetism," the theory leaf on the tree of universal life; and then of Swedenborg incontestably proves the exist- how unreasonable it becomes to suppose that ence of the magnetic element; it establishes, it was ever endowed with the separate and that the particles of this element being spher-independent forces ascribed to it by the Newical, the tendency of their motion is either spi-tonian hypothesis! It would be as easy to ral, or vortical, or circular; that as each of imagine that the leaf was created by itself, and these motions requires a centre, whenever the hung upon the tree, or that all the parts of particles meet with a body, which, by the reg- the body were separately produced, and their ularity of the pores, and the configuration and independent functions subsequently formed position of its parts, is adapted to their motion, into a system. Swedenborg, therefore, has they avail themselves of it, and form around wisely endeavored to reconcile the demonstrait a magnetical vortex; that if this body pos- tions of Newton with the ancient hypothesis sesses an activity [that is, an active sphere] of a solar vortex, and to show how the planets, of its own, if its parts are flexible, and if its and planetary motion, are derived from the motions are similar to that of the particles, it Sun."-Rich's Sketch, pp. 17-20. will be so much the more disposed to admit 51. In short, Swedenborg makes the magnetic them..... Whence it follows that the element the agency which controls the planmagnetism of bodies depends not on their sub-etary movements. In other words, he resolves stance but their form. Some of the results the power of gravitation into magnetism, and of this theory are confirmed by the brilliant shows, moreover, that precisely the same laws