4-2 MEMOIR OF SWAMMERDAM. 



These opinions Swammerdam appears to have 

 adopted in theii 4 utmost extent, and their effect on 

 his melancholic temperament was such as to produce 

 a completely morbid state of mind. The studies in 

 which he had taken greatest delight, now began to 

 appear odious to him. It was with the utmost diffi- 

 culty that he could allow himself to finish his favourite 

 work on Bees, and no sooner was it completed than 

 he put it into the hands of another, without giving 

 himself the least concern what might become of it. 

 His inclination urged him strongly to continue his 

 pursuits, but he now thought them incompatible with 

 his duty to the Creator, as he alone, and not his 

 creatures, was worthy of engrossing all his love and 

 regard. All worldly interests, accordingly, were 

 soon despised and abandoned, and he devoted him- 

 self wholly to the performance of the duties of re- 

 ligion, according to the erroneous notion he had 

 formed of them. Every step he took was by the 

 advice and authority of Antonia Bourignon, and she 

 took care not to endanger the influence she had 

 acquired over him, by allowing him to resume his 

 former occupations, or engage in the ordinary busi- 

 ness of life. His condition was rendered more de- 

 plorable and hopeless, by a return of his former com- 

 plaint, quartan ague, in greater severity than ever, 

 occasioning such a prostration both of mental and 

 bodily powers that he was for a time unfit for any 

 kind of exertion. He now resolved to withdraw 

 entirely from the world, and spend the remainder of 

 his days in solitary meditation. Before taking this 



