8 MEMOIR OF LINN^US. 



added to the collection ; and leisure to prepare his own works for 

 the press." In addition to these advantages, it is stated by his bi- 

 ographer, Stoevers, that Clifford allowed him a salary of one thou- 

 sand florins yearly, but which appears too munificent even for his 

 liberal patron. So lavish, indeed, was Mr. Clifford upon his favor- 

 ite pursuit, that he proposed to send Linnaeus to England, to pro- 

 cure the botanical novelties, and to communicate with the most 

 celebrated botanists and horticulturists. Linngeus could not resist 

 the offer, and we find our enthusiastic naturalist sailing for Great 

 Britain, instead of making his way to Sweden. On his arrival at 

 London, he waited upon Sir Hans Sloane, to whom he had a letter 

 from Boerhaave, which recommended him in the strongest lan- 

 guage. But neither he nor Dillenius, whom he met at Oxford, 

 showed such attention as might have been expected from these 

 high testimonials. They looked upon him as a young innovator, 

 who wished to overturn the old systems, only to exalt his own 

 name upon a fleeting eminence. Dillenius spoke of him as the 

 " young man who confounds all botany," — treating him with re- 

 serve and haughtiness, until his discoveries were truly madeknowa 

 to him. He visited also Martyn, Ward, MiUer, Dr. Shaw the cel- 

 ebrated traveller, Peter Collinson, &c. ; and on his return to the 

 continent, long continued a correspondence with these naturalists, 

 in the terms of the most sincere friendship ; exchanged plants and 

 other objects of natural history, and freely canvassed the different 

 opinions set forth by each ; and although these were not always 

 unanimously decided, they appeared to have no influence in dis- 

 turbing the alliance previously formed. 



The Royal Academy of Sciences paid him a very high com- 

 pliment. Having received permission to attend one of its sittings 

 as a visitor, he was desired to wait a little while in the ante-room ; 

 and it was at length announced that the Academy had elected 

 him a corresponding member. He was importuned to remain in 



