Page:The Life and Mission of Emanuel Swedenborg.djvu/71

 try to an extremity of wretchedness, he was, Napoleon-like, devising projects of improvement. Polhem became now his right-hand, and Swedenborg's talents were quickly appreciated. In a letter to his brother-in-law. Benzelius, December, 1716, he says,—

"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 accompHsh 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, Pollheimer [Polhem]. 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 this 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 as I was so fortunate as to have good references, he offered me three posts and offices to choose from, and afterwards 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