10 MEMOIR OF LINNiEUS. 



Our illustrious naturalist might now be said to have reached 

 the height of his earthly happiness — independent in his circum- 

 Btances ; at peace, and beloved by his family ; and looked up to 

 and honored by the heads of sciences in Europe. "He was not, 

 however," says one of his biographers, " destined to continue in 

 the career of reputation and prosperity, without exciting envy, 

 jealousy and opposition, from various quarters ; and the attacks of 

 his adversaries did not fail to wound his ambition. Yet, remem- 

 bering the advice of his venerable friend, Boerhaave, and being 

 of too high a cast of mind to entertain asperity, or indulge in 

 splenetic invectives, he wisely resolved to abstain from controversy. 



We have now seen Linnseus independent in his circumstances, 

 and happy in his family ; but there was still another step at which 

 his ambition grasped, — an ambition in this case laudable. It was 

 the botanic chair of UjDsala. He was eager to teach his favorite 

 science in the halls where he had been himself taught, and had 

 often entered with a boyish awe. It was still occupied by Rud- 

 beck, now in the decline of life, and nearly unfit for the exertion 

 of instructing a class. This celebrated man died in the ensuing 

 year, and Linnaeus offered himself as a candidate. Notwithstand- 

 ing his fame, he was disappointed in this object. The University 

 statutes opposed his success ; and, according to the regulations, it 

 was given to Dr. Rosen, who had studied longer, and had greater 

 claims upon Upsala. The summit of his wishes, was, however, 

 gained in the following year. He was appointed to the chair of 

 medicine, vacant in the same University ; and, by a private ar- 

 rangement with Dr. Rosen, effected an exchange, receiving the 

 superintendence of the botanic garden, and charge of the whole 

 department of Natural History. 



Befare his final removal to the professorship of Upsala, the 

 Diet of the kingdom had resolved that expeditions should be un- 

 dertaken into the least known Swedish provinces, to inquire into 

 their resources, and discover what substances could be usefully 



