210 I.5NNAEUS. 



minated. Wishing to send his sons upon a scientific excursion to ex- 

 plore the mines of Norwa}', he selected him as their travelling tutor. 

 After the completion of this tour, he fixed his residence for a season at 

 Fahlun, where he supported himself comfortably by practising medicine 

 and lecturing. 



While his fame was daily increasing, the circle of his friends, won 

 by his irreproachable conduct and pleasing manners, was also extending 

 itself. Here he became acquainted with Dr. Moraeus, with the charms 

 of whose eldest daughter he was smitten, and whom he subsequently 

 married. Morasus thought as little of his mineralogy and botany in the 

 way of affording him a livelihood as his father had done, and advised 

 him by all means to bend his energies to the study of medicine, and ob- 

 tain a degree. This proved a powerful stimulus to Linnaeus, who re- 

 doubled his efforts both to economize his resources, and increase his 

 knowledge. Notwithstanding all his efforts, his labors would have been 

 in vain, but for the assistance of the lady of his affections, who gener- 

 ously gave him one hundred dollars which she had laid by from the al- 

 lowance made her by her father. It is stated by one of his biographers 

 that he was advised by one of his literary friends to marry an heiress, 

 as the surest means of delivering himself from his pecuniary difficulties, 

 he selected Miss Maraeus, whose father was the wealthiest man in the 

 place. 



As Holland at this time had a high medical reputation, it was cus- 

 tomary for Swedes to take their degrees there. In 1735, at the age of 

 twenty-eight, Linnaeus left home to take his degree in Harderwych, 

 which University he selected as the cheapest and therefore best adapted 

 to his limited means. 



After having received his degree, he went to Leyden where he pub- 

 lished a compendious sketch of his first work "Systema Naturae." The 

 great physician and botanist, Boerhaave, was delighted with the new and 

 striking views laid down in the Systema naturae, and invited the author 

 to visit him. Charmed with his talents and acquirements, Boerhaave 

 earnestly recommended his residence in Holland, where he would doubt- 

 less meet with the success which he so richly deserved. But he was 

 anxious to return to Sweden and his funds were low. Passing through 

 Amsterdam, he was cordially welcomed by Bursman, professor of Bo- 

 tany, to whom he had been introduced by Boerhaave. Bursman was 

 then preparing the Ceylon plants, and desired very much the aid of Lin- 

 naeus. "Will you aid me in my Ceylon collection } Will you, can you 

 stay .^" he eagerly inquired. The traveller frankly confessed that his 

 povertv made it important for him to return homo as fast as possible. 



