2697. An angelic one, however, which is the beginning of a mental image of inward spirits (or out of which as from its beginning is born the mental image of inward spirits), is such as to be entirely inexpressible. To me it appeared as something inexpressible, with unlimited variation, but a notion of it has several times been given me in sleep. By these images they not only think, but also speak among themselves, and they are in a light which, if it may be said, would appear to no one of mortals. It is permitted only to tell that their speech and mental images, and their resulting states of happiness are the unceasing beginnings of the speech, mental images, and states of happiness of inward spirits, and through these of the speech, mental imagery, and enjoyments of lower spirits, or of earthly humans. 1748, 28 July.