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I am at present engaged in examining all the chemistry contained in the
treasury of the Sudeman Library, which now belongs to Hesselius, for I
have proposed to myself to examine thoroughly everything that concerns
fire and metals, a primis incunabilis usque ad maturitatem (from the first
beginnings to the mature stages), according to the plan of the memorandum
which has already been communicated to you. I take the chemical
experiments of Boyle, Becher, Hjärne, Lemery, and others, and trace out
nature in the least things, instituting comparisons with geometry and
mechanics. I am also encouraged every day by new discoveries as to the
nature of these subtle 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.
Here we get a glimpse of Swedenborg’s interests and methods. First,
we have another example of his deliberate and thorough preparation for
the task in hand. It was his habit to make himself familiar with the best
books and the latest results of investigation in the field he was entering
upon. We note that he was giving special attention to the experiments of
the gifted and accomplished Robert Boyle (1627–1691); at the same time,
he was examining all the chemistry of the Sudeman Library, which he calls
a treasury. It was characteristic of him that he proposed to examine
thoroughly everything that concerned fire and the metals. This meant for
him, beginning at the very beginning and going on to the completed
processes under consideration. His search into the beginnings led him into
the realm of the invisibles, to tracing out nature in the least things. It
would be an interesting and important investigation to determine
Swedenborg’s historical position in this study of invisibles and the least
things. The ordinary histories of science give us little information that is
helpful; Swedenborg’s studies were more like those of very recent times in
the development of the atomic theory. This will appear more clearly and
definitely as we proceed. Another point of characteristic significance was,
that he tested his methods and results by the application of geometry and
mechanics; of this too we are to have abundant demonstration.
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