LINN^AN MEMORIAL ADDRESS 259 



taking his degree in medicine at some foreign university. Fol- 

 lowing this counsel Linnaeus, in the beginning of the year 1735, 

 sailed for Germany and the Netherlands ; taking with him a 

 finished medical thesis for presentation at some school of med- 

 icine, and also the manuscripts of several books of botany. 

 Before the end of June he had passed the examinations, suc- 

 cessfully defended his thesis, and obtained the degree of Doctor 

 of Medicine ; this at Hardewyk in Holland. 



The primary object of his trip abroad having been attained, 

 there were reasons why he might have been expected to take 

 advantage of the first opportunity that should present itself for 

 his return to Sweden. Before leaving his native land Linn^us 

 had acquired what is said to be easily gained by even a poor 

 young man when he happens to be of good presence, polite 

 accomplishments and some personal magnetism; he had pro- 

 vided himself with a rich and elderly prospective father-in law. 

 Said prospective father-in-law had returned the compliment by 

 providing Linnaeus with some traveling funds and the needful 

 university fees. Before bidding the prospective son-in-law fare- 

 well Dr. Morgeus, as if endowed with some of that wisdom that 

 men say comes with years, and as if doubting that the pros- 

 pective bride would surely speed the young man's early return, 

 enjoined it upon him that he must come back and begin the 

 practice of medicine, whensoever he should have gained the 

 doctorate. 



But that which had long been uppermost in Linna^us's mind 

 had been, not medicine, but systematic botany. In the direc- 

 tion of the latter all his ambition led him. The manuscripts of 

 what he hoped w^ould be immortal books of botany — and they 

 became such — he had brought with him. No one in Sweden 

 would have published them. In Germany, in^Holland, and in 

 France there were many and splendid botanical establishments, 

 and several learned botanical professors of world-wide fame. 

 His books if published must have the approval of these in order 

 to insure for them success. He must see these men, ingratiate 

 himself with them personally, show them his manuscripts, dis- 

 cuss with them the merits of his system ; for it was new, and 

 in its leading characteristics altogether revolutionary. His 



