The Moetal Remains of Swedenborg 9 



Hawkins' very brief narration does not disclose anything further 

 than what has been recounted, except that the stranger was a learned 

 Swede, and that the lid of the coffin was only laid on without being- 

 fastened again. 



Some few days after the event just described, a new visit was 

 made to the vault by five or six members of the New Church, Hind- 

 marsh, who was himself present, relates concerning this visit that after 

 having assured themselves by the inscription that the casket contained 

 Swedenborct's corpse, the coffin was opened, upon which it was found 

 that »the features were still perfect, the flesh firm and the whole coun- 

 tenance» sufficiently well preserved to enable the observers to con- 

 firm its absolute similarity to Swedenboeg's portrait. When Hind= 

 MARSH »placed his hand on the forehead, he observed that the lower 

 part of the nose gave indications of approaching decomposition.» »It 

 was afterwards found that the whole frame was speedily be- 

 ing reduced to ashes.» 



As to whether Swedenborg's coffin was again at any time open- 

 ed and examined during the years that elapsed until 1816, we know 

 nothing, only that the vault was opened at least nine times to receive 

 new coffins. It is clear, however, that it was the thoughtless opening 

 of Swedenborg's coffin about the year 1790, and the imperfect closing 

 of the same, which made possible the theft in 1816 of the cranium, of 

 which in the following chapter. 



Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Sc. Ups. Ser. 4. Vol 2. N. 9. Impr. ^*/io 1910. 



