my progression thither,
which lasted two days, enabled me to conclude that the state of
the interiors which prevailed with them, which is the state of the
affections and of the consequent thoughts, differed proportionately
from the state of the interiors which prevails with the spirits from
our Earth. As I was conveyed thither as to the spirit by means of
changes of the state of the interiors, I was enabled to observe the
successive changes themselves before I arrived there. This took place
while I was awake.

139. When I arrived there, I did not see the earth, but only the
spirits who were from that earth; for, as has already been stated, the
spirits of every earth appear about their own earth, because they are
of a similar genius with the inhabitants, for they are of them, and
are serviceable to them. Those spirits appeared at a considerable
height over my head, and from thence they saw me coming. It must be
borne in mind that they who stand on high in the other life can behold
those who are below them, and the higher they stand the wider is the
extent of their vision; and that not only can they behold them, but
also speak with them. They observed from there that I was not from
their earth, but from some other at a distance; wherefore, addressing
me from thence, they questioned me on various subjects, and to these
questions it was also permitted me to reply. Among other things, I
told them from what earth I came, and what kind of earth it was; and
afterwards I told them about the earths in our solar system; and
then also about the spirits of the earth or planet Mercury, that
they wander about to many earths for the purpose of procuring for
themselves knowledges about various things. On hearing this, they said
that they had also seen those spirits among themselves.

140. I was told by the angels from our Earth that the inhabitants and
spirits of that earth, in the Grand Man, have relation to KEENNESS OF
VISION, and that therefore they appear on high; and that they have
a most penetrating keenness of sight. In consequence of their having
this relation, and of their seeing clearly the things that were below,
in the course of our conversation I compared them to eagles, which fly
aloft, and enjoy a piercing and extensive view of surrounding things.
At this they became indignant, supposing that I considered them like
eagles as to their rapacity, and consequently that I thought them
evil; but I replied, that I did not like