iv MKMOIR OF L1NNA;US. 



his studious jjerusal of them, acquired the college name of the ' Little 

 Botanist.' 



Nearly two years after, the elder Linnaeus came to Wenid, to as- 

 certain the progress of his son's studies ; and the disappointment of 

 the sanguine hopes of a parent may be conceived, when the recom- 

 mendations of his preceptors extended only to his ability for some 

 manual employment ; and tlic farther exjjense, in forcing a learned 

 education, would ihe conipajatively thrown away. The old clergy- 

 man, having for some time laboured under a complaint which might 

 have now increased from his anxiety, was obliged to consult Dr. Roth- 

 man, a provincial physician; and grieving at the seemingly wayward 

 and careless xlisposition of hie son, he opened his mind to the doctor, 

 who kindly iJi-cscribed for botli Lis mental and bodily sufferings. Jle 

 remarked, that aJtliough the boy might be iinfit to follow thatprofea- 

 sion ifi which his father wouid l>ave wished to have seen him his sup- 

 ce^or, thexe was the greater hojje that some other study would be 

 naore ardently pursued ; that he might yet arrive at eminenpe in me- 

 dicine, a seeing more intimately connected with th^t branch of his 

 a\yn choosing ; and he offered to give young Linnseju? board and in- 

 struction during the year, which it was still necessary he shovjild make 

 up at the Gymnasium. 



Tjic oifer of D;i-. Rothman was gratefully accepted : and that gen- 

 tleman faithfully redeemed his promises. He gave his no\v willipg^ 

 pupil instructi<.)ni< in physiology and botany, pointing out tlie advan- 

 tages of studying the latter science according to the system of Tour- 

 uefort. In both Linnijeus made considerable proficiency, had already 

 coflamcftced to arrang,e every plant in its proper place, and even to 

 doubt the sitiiations of many whose characters had not been properly 

 ascertained. 



Next year it was thought necessary that Lirmaeus shoidd com- 

 plete his education at some university ; and, upon applying at the 

 Gymnasium, he received the following metaphorical testimonial, 

 which will show the little esteem in which his qualifications as a scho- 

 lar were held ; and is a curious example of the manner in which the 

 professors worded their certiiicates : ' Youth, at school, might be com- 

 pared to shrubs in a garden, which will sometimes, though rarely, 

 elude all the care of the gardener : but, if transplanted into a different 

 soil, may become fruitful trees.' With this view, therefore, and no 

 other, the hearer was sent to the \miversity, when it was possible that 

 he miglit meet with a climate ptopitious to his progress. 



Witli this certificate he proceeded to the university of Lund ; and 

 f'lily jjiocured admittance by the interest of his old precejitor Hok, 



