The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-06

-sOg 500 - 0'N
upsympathetio subjects. When Cuno
took leave OF him In 1859 the oonver-
sation turned upon tho improbability
OF their meeting again: S~wedenborg
spoke With eager anticipation Of the
last great change which he knew must
como to him before long, and Cuno
recalls that as he spoke she looked 30
innocent and o. joyful out Of his eyes
as ] had never Q him look before.
l did not interrupt him. said Cuno. 'and
was, as IL were, dumb with astonishment.'
Other witnesses speak OF the seraphic
look which no had at times and Of the
general serenity Of his coupteuance.
Sometimes when he had been in CON-
vorse with spiritual beings his eyes are
said to have been filed with a wonderful
light which alarmed behoiders, but under
ordinary circumstances his appearance
wa placid ard bopignapt.
,.. In figure .Swedepborg Is, described by
most observers as tell, though 1t appears
that he was not much above tho medium
height. In his old ego he was. OF spare
habit; which doubtless added to his
ostensible stature. Tho Rev. Nicholas
Collin, ;, rector oftthe Swedish Church In
Philadelphia, who visited him in 17ea. thus
depicts his personal appearance: Being
very old (7S) when l saw him, no was thin
and pale but still retained traces Of
beauty and had something very pleasing
in his physioguomy and a dignity in his
tall and erect stature" ~Swedenborg's
bodily activity in his later years was much
remarked upon. Cuno bears witness that
when Swedenborg was in his late seventies
he was for his age q perfect marvel OF
health. He says that, although Sweden
borg was more than twenty years older,
he (Cuno) would be afraid to run a race
with him. because s-he vas as quick on his
legs as the youngest man. Somewhat
later Cuno testiies. when I dined with
him the last time he told me that a new
set Of teeth was growing in his mouth.
Who has ever heard this OF q man 81
years oldf' ..
We learn that S~wedenborg's manners
in society were easy, polished and agree
able. He was equally at homo with high
and low. dining not infrequently with
royalty in his own country, yet living
on friendly terms with his humble
landlord in England. According to Rob-
sahm, another contemporary, he was
not only "a learned man but also a
polished gentleman. A man OF such
extensive learning. who by his books,
his travels and his knowledge Of Ian
guagee had acquired distinction both
at home and abroad, couldn't fail to
possess the manner and everything
else which in those times caused n man
to be honored and made him agreeable
in society" Still another contemporary.
Sandels, tells us that che wa cheerful
and pleasant in company and by way OF
recreation from his severe laboB en-
joyed intercourse with intelligent persons.
by whom he was always well received
and much respected. He could also
properly meet and playfully direct into
another channel tho kind Of curiosity
which frequently desires to obtrude it.
self into the consideration Of serious
things" Owing to defective utterance
Swedenborg was not a brilliant onver
s~ationalist; nevertheless whenever he
spoke all other talk. was hushed.' ordi-
narily he pronounced very distinctly
but he suffered a litt!o- when he tried
to speak quickly. He was unwilling
to enter into any disputes on matters
Of religion. and if.obliged to defend HIM
self he did it with 'gentleness and in a
few words. When no was contradicted
he kept silent. 1880
Those who remember what ~Sweienborg
has to say about conjugal love may be
surprised to learn that no was never
married. When he vas q young men
he became formally betrothei to a daugh-
ter Of the great Swedish savsnt Polhe,n.
but she ultimately discovered that she
did not care for her fiance. The fact
becoming known to Sweienborg he
renouncei his claim to her hand and
vowed that he would never allow his
thoughts to settle upon any particular
woman again. This vow he religiously
observed. Nevertheless he was fond
of the society Of ladies'. and in contem-
porary literature there are eItant several
charming pictures of his intercourse
with them. Unquostionably no esteemed
the company Of q tine and intelligent
woman as one of the purest sources Of
delight. Cuno relates that no once took
Swedenborg to dino at a friends house
when several highly educated ladies
were present. His department was
exquisitely refined and gallant. When
dinner was announced I offered my hand
to the hostess and quickly our young
man Of eighty-one, years put on his gloves
and presented his hand to Mile, Hoog.
in doing which he looked unoommonly
WE'LL" On the occasion Of his visit in
the last year Of his life to Gen. Tuxen
the latter ~apologized for having mo
better company to amuse him than a
sickly life and her young girls Sweden
borg replied: And is not this very good
company I was always partial to ladies'
company Sandels expresses the opinion
that S~wedenborg's preference for living
alone was due mainly to the fact that
his studies required, perfect stiffness
in his house both day and night. Al
though, however, there vas M prattle
Of children in his homo. he often sought
their company outside. Himself child
like in manner, he delighted In the society
of the young and Innocent, His landlady
in Amsterdam, told Ouno: my children
will miss him most. for he eve goes
out without bringing them home sweets;
the little rogues also dote upon the old
gentleman 30 much that they prefer
him to their own parents"
Mr.. Trobridge, his latest ~biographer.