LINN^US. 63 



plants, whence he came, and how long he had been 

 prosecuting his studies ? To all these questions he 

 returned satisfactory answers, and was then invited 

 to accompany his interrogator to his house, which 

 proved to be that of Dr. Olaus Celsius. 



This estimable and learned man, to whom 

 Scandinavia owes so much in regard to natural 

 history, had just returned from Stockholm, where 

 he had been engaged in preparing his celebrated 

 work upon the plants mentioned in the Holy 

 Scriptures, which he published in 1745, having 

 travelled to the East on purpose to make it 

 more complete. Little did Celsius imagine that 

 the youth, whom he first met, by chance, in the 

 academical garden at Upsala, was destined, in 

 after years, by his genius, to immortalize its fame. 

 He, however, soon discerned the merits of Lin- 

 naeus, took him under his protection, offering him 

 board and lodging in his own house, and allowing 

 him the full use of his library, which was very rich 

 in botanical books. Among all his patrons, Lin- 

 naeus appears to have dearly cherished the memory 

 of this venerable man, never referring to him but 

 in terms of reverence and gratitude. The friend- 

 ship and patronage of one so distinguished, did not 

 fail to procure for the youth the advantages he so 

 much needed. Before long, the son of Professor 

 Rudbeck, and other young men, became his private 

 pupils, and by this means his pecuniary wants were 

 supplied. 



Nothing, however, seems to have given Linnseus 



