[ i8 ] 



degree, declared that his daughter (hould remain unmar- 

 ried three years longer, at the termination of which, he 

 would make his decifion as to the match. 



It was at that time the habit of the Swedifti ftudents 

 in medicine, to graduate in one of the univerfities of 



Holland. CoUeding therefore what little money he 



I 

 could procure, and aflifted by the amiable young lady to 



whom he had betrothed himfelf, he prepared for the ex- 

 pedition, upon the fuccefs of which depended all hi^ 

 future hopes of happinefs and honours. 



In the fpring of 1735, he began his tour, travelling 

 through the fouthern parts of Sweden, and acrofs Den- 

 mark to Hamburg in Germany. In this city he re- 

 mained some time, enriching his stores of knowledge by 

 a careful examination of whatever was rare and curious 

 in its libraries or colledions, and in becoming known to 

 the moll learned of its profefTors. And here he gave an 

 unlucky example of that critical acutenefs in the inves- 

 tigation of the works of nature, by which all his future 

 writings were so highly illuminated. 



^preckelfen, a fecretary of the council and a confi- 

 derable naturalift, had in his poirefTion a monftrous pro- 

 dudion, which till that time had been confidered the mod 

 valuable curiofity in Europe, and was received as a pledge 

 for the loan of ten thoufand marks, a fum equal to feven 



