[ i6 ] 



Linnasus wanted. Rofen therefore fummoned him be- 

 fore the fenate, pleaded the ftatute and the legal incapa- 

 city of his opponent, and he was confequently and 

 necelTarily forbidden to continue his Icdures. Adver- 

 fity had not yet fo far fubdued the noble fpirit of 

 Linnasus, as to make him patient of the reftraints ne- 

 cefTary in the regulation of focial life. Upon Rofep's 

 leaving the fenate he followed him home, in a paroxyfm 

 of rage and defpair drew his fword, and but for the in- 

 terference of fome by-ftanders who wrefted the weapon 

 from his hands, would have plunged it into his body. 

 An outrage fo contrary to all order and decency made 

 Rofen complain to the fenate ; and after an invefligation, 

 he was, by the kind interpofition of Celffus, difmifled 

 with only a reprimand. Perceiving that by this inter- 

 ruption of his plans all his hopes of honours and inde- 

 pendence were likely to be fruftrated, his determination 

 10 revenge himfelf on this officious opponent was for a 

 time fo fuiious, that he refolved to ftab Rofen wherever 

 he fhould find him in the ftfeets. But the mind of 

 Linnasus could not long hold a refolutiqn fo o^Fenfive to 

 every rule of reafon and religion, and after the vehe- 

 mence of his paffion had fomewhat fubfided, his reflec- 

 tions upon the hazards he had efcaped induced him td 

 write the particular diary which he called Nemefis 

 divina. 



Deprived of rcfources which promifed fo ample a 

 reward for his fludies and labours, Linnaeus was again 



