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The Anglo press is all abuzz about a book that turned up in an auction of the late Princess Margaret's library: Conjugial Love (also called Marriage Love in some modern translations) by Emanuel Swedenborg.

This book, as all New Christians know, is one of the later works that make up the Writings for the New Church, upon which New Christianity and Swedenborgianism are founded. The book has two parts. The first part deals with the beautiful essentials of marraige—both between husband and wife and also more abstractly between the principles of good and truth. The second part of the book deals with the various forms of disorder that can attack a marriage and provides information on how to deal with them.

The press is mostly dealing with this in its usual ham-fisted way, only getting things about half-right. To get the full picture, I strongly suggest you check out the book for yourself. Ask for it at your library, or buy it on Amazon, order it directly from the New Church Bookstore, or read it online in searchable form or as an etext.

It is an interesting story. Who is the mysterious "WM" who sent it to her as a gift? Was there a connection between Princess Margaret receiving the Conjugial Love and her breaking off her controbersial engagement?

Here are some quotes from recent articles on this:

"Princess Margaret's Books to Be Sold"
Associated Press
2006.09.24 (2209 AEST)
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=147127:

The curiously titled The Delights of Wisdom Concerning Conjugial Love - After Which Follows the Pleasures of Insanity Concerning Scortatory Love is among 550 hardbacks and paperbacks that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II's sister, who died in February 2002 at the age of 71.

Inside, it bears a typed inscription dated October 31, 1955, the day the princess issued a statement calling off plans to marry Townsend, a dashing army captain who was frowned on as a royal suitor because he was divorced.

It reads: "To Margaret, Princess of the Realm" and is signed simply "WM."

The book, which looks at marriage and morality, is the work of Emanuel Swedenborg, the 18th century Swedish scientist and philosopher.

"We had to look scortatory up. It means fornicatory. It's actually quite a serious book, said a spokeswoman for Bloomsbury Auctions, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's a spiritual book about love, but it's got sex acts in it, too. It's not smutty, though. There are no drawings."

"Book on Love and Sex Marked End of Affair"
The Times (London, UK)
Lucy Bannerman
2006.09.25
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2373584,00.html:

As a gift to soothe a broken heart, it was an unusual choice.

Then again, the 18th-century lovers’ handbook given to Princess Margaret on the day that she ended her relationship with Peter Townsend is an unusual book.

...Inside the hardback, which was opened to The Times yesterday, the author muses over “the pleasures of the flesh” and the “filthiness of fornication”. There is also a typed inscription dated October 31, 1955 — the same day that the 25-year-old Princess issued a statement saying that she had no plans to marry her first love, a divorcé.

It is not known who gave her the book, which also gives advice on betrothals, weddings, and the etiquette of second marriages. A note on the inside cover reads, “To Margaret, Princess of the Realm”, and is signed with the initials “WM”.

Beside it, someone has doodled a drawing in pink ink of a dove apparently dive-bombing through clouds towards a symbol resembling a Christian orb.

The coincidental timing of the gift was spotted by organisers as they prepared the five lots for a sale of books on October 5.

Rupert Powell, managing director of Bloomsbury Auctions, said: “We really do not know who WM could be. Obviously this was a date of huge significance in her life, so this is an interesting book to be giving her on that day.”

"Princess Margaret's Erotic Book"
Monsters and Critics (Glasgow, UK)
2006.09.25
http://people.monstersandcritics.com/royalwatch/article_1204698.php/Princess_Margarets_erotic_book:

Britain's Princess Margaret was given a lovers' guide on the day she ended her romance with her first love.

The late royal was given the book, titled 'The Delights of Wisdom Concerning Conjugal Love - After Which Follows The Pleasures of Insanity Concerning Scortatory Love' on October 31, 1995 - the same day she issued a statement saying she had no plans to marry her divorcé lover, Peter Townsend.

Like I said, though, you really need to read this book yourself to get the full picture. Much of what is said in the rest of the above-quoted articles is a bit off-base from reality. Reporters with deadlines, though, can't be expected to thouroughly research such a deep book in a short time, I suppose.

Any press who would like to talk to experts in the matter should probably get in touch with the following sources:

Colchester New Church
175-181 Maldon Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3BL
http://www.newchurch.org/locations/europe/england
Contact Olaf Hauptmann

Swedenborg Society
20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH
020 7405 7986
http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

General Church of the New Jerusalem
P.O. Box 743, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
1-877-411-HOPE (US only)
1-267-502-4911 (International calls)
outreach@newchurch.org
http://www.newchurch.org/

Swedenborg Foundation
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
1-800-355-3222
In Phila. Area 610-430-3222
Fax: 610-430-7982
director@swedenborg.com
http://www.swedenborg.com/

I would also be happy to answer questions, provide background, or make introductions to individual contacts at some of the above organizations. Contact me through mac@theoblog.com.