134: A SAD CONDITION. 



to become the possessor of such a treasure. But 

 that prince declined to accept his overtures unless 

 he would accompany the collection and settle at 

 the Court of Florence, where he promised to give 

 him a cordial reception, and make his life " easy 

 and agreeable." These terms were of course de- 

 clined, and Swammerdam remained entirely depen- 

 dent on his father's liberality, who shortly after, on 

 occasion of his daughter's marriage, relinquished 

 housekeeping, and went to reside with her. 



His biographer feelingly deplores the sad con- 

 dition of the hapless naturalist, now left " to shift 

 for himself;" and it seems certain that he must 

 have been reduced to actual want had not his 

 father's death, which almost immediately super- 

 vened, afforded him the prospect of a competent 

 provision. 



This event, however, was fraught with trouble, 

 for it occasioned a family contest, in which, for the 

 sake of peace and quietness, he relinquished his 

 due share of the property. His health and spirits 

 now rapidly sank, and he fell into a deep melan- 

 choly, doubtless occasioned by his painful maladies. 

 A severe attack of his former complaints the 

 quartan ague completely prostrated his remaining 

 strength and confined him to his chamber, where 

 he refused all the advice of his medical friends, 

 and at length took refuge from their importunities 



