Life of Linnaeus. 161 
plain myself; Linnzus appeared to me to be the first who clearly 
comprehended the difference between the natural and artificial 
methods; and, notwithstanding the vivacity of his disposition and 
his desire to regulate the whole of natural science, he did, I say, 
very clearly understand that the number of objects known in his 
time, and the manner in which they were described, were insuffi- 
cient to lead toa true and regular natural method ; he therefore re- 
sorted, in practice, to a system purely artificial, and to fragments of 
natural order for study and meditation. He has, very formally, and 
with frequent repetitions, said that the artificial system was provis- 
ional, good for finding names, and nothing more, but that the natural 
method was the true end of science and the most worthy of giving 
‘a direction to the labors of naturalists; hence he gave private les- 
sons to his favorite pupils, and allowed no occasion to pass of indu- 
cing them to appreciate their importance. But the learned world 
has committed, in this matter, two curious and contradictory errors; 
some, like Buffon, constantly reproach him, for having in his sexual 
system brought together objects of different natures, as if this bring- 
ing together was not inherent in every artificial method, which can 
only be compared to a simple dictionary,—and as if Linneus had 
not corrected these chance arrangements in his fragments of natural 
order; others, and those too who are exclusively called Linnzans, 
have considered the artificial system as the whole of science; they 
have adopted as a permanent order what their master had furnished 
only as provisional; they have abandoned with disdain the research- 
es of that natural order which Linneus had declared to be the true 
end of science; thus contracting this great man to their narrow con- 
ceptions. ‘They thus act in contradiction to the principles which he 
professed, and in attaching themselves to the exterior form of his 
writings, they have lost sight of the depth of them. Linnzus is 
much greater than the pretended Linneans would make us believe, 
and I have no doubt, if he could appear among us again, he would 
be their greatest adversary. But, truth will make its way every 
where ; artificial methods are reduced to their true value and proper 
rank, the art of finding names, and each one feels, at present, that 
a natural method, well understood, is the genuine expression of true 
science. D.C. 
Vou, S3V.--No. I. 21 
