LETTER L

SlR,

SOME few months since there appeared in a foreign quarterly an article on the "Animal Kingdom" of Swedenborg, in wbich the leaming and genius of the author is verv highly exalted, and apparently with great justice. This, with other favorable notices of Swedenborg, gave me a désire to see for myself what such a man had really said on the subject of theology, and accordingly I obtained several of his works on that subject I had not read far, when my attention was arrested by what appeared to be a likeness in the philosophical or metaphvsical portion of Swedenborg's writings to the principfes of Spinoza. The more I lead, the more 1 was stnick with the likeness, and I was finally induced to make a comparison, the resuit of which I offer for publication, simply as a matter exceedingly curions, apart from ail conclusions with re-

rt to the truth or falsehood of the doctrines of ei* Spinoza or Swedenborg. The fthics of Spinoza was nrst published in latin in 1677. The " True Christian Religion" of Swedenborg was first published, also in latin, in 1771, nearly two hundr^ years baving intenrened.

My object is not now to assail or défend the doctrines of either of thèse men. I design merely to point out some extraordinary similitudes in thoee doctrines, though I cannot refrain from remarking, that Spinoza ira* celebrated as the arch-enemy of religion ; as an

infidel and an atheist ; while Swedenborg, on the contrary, is in this âge held forth by a considérable body of followers as a God-inspired man, expressly illuminated for the purpose of teaching the True Christian Religion. Reflecting m&a ma/ see, in the foUowing extracts, matter wonh their serions attention, and to this class of readers they are respectfuUy commended.