Page:The Life and Mission of Emanuel Swedenborg.djvu/52

 much to tell about events among the learned, but I have neither time nor paper."

A long letter in January, 1712, answers various questions on scientific matters, received from Benzelius and the Literary Society of Upsal. Among other things he wanted to send home some English globes; but mounted, they were very dear, as well as expensive to transport, and he had tried to procure the paper sheets to be set up at home. These the makers would not sell, lest they should be copied. Characteristically. Swedenborg sets to work learning to engrave on copper, and then draws and engraves the plates for a pair of globes of ordinary size. He sends at this time a specimen of his engraving, and remarks that he has learned so much from his landlord in the art of making brass instruments, that he has already made several for his own use, and that if he were in Sweden he would not need to apply to any one to make the meridians for the globe and its other appurtenances. Of his studies he says,—

"With regard to astronomy I have made such progress in it as to have discovered much which I think will be useful in its study. Although in the beginning it made my brain ache, yet long speculations are now no longer difficult for me. I examined closely all propositions for finding the terrestrial longitude, but could not find a single one; I have therefore originated a method by means of the moon, which is unerring, and I am certain that it is the best which has yet been advanced. In a short time I will inform the Royal Society that I have a proposition to make on this subject, stating my points. If it is favorably received by these gentlemen, I shall publish it here; if not, in France. I have also discovered many new methods for observing the planets, the moon, and the stars; that which concerns the moon and its parallaxes, diameter, and inequality, I will publish whenever an opportunity arises. I am now busy working my way through algebra and the higher geometry, and I intend to make such progress in it as to be able, in time, to continue Polhammar's discov-