92 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



latter was speedily appeased, and he was so averse 

 to disputes that he never would answer any of his 

 numerous assailants. In his early days he was full 

 of energy and spirit, and through life his move- 

 ments were rapid and agile. In his habits he 

 observed the strictest temperance and method. He 

 never delayed anything he had to do, and noted 

 down immediately what he wished to remember. 

 He has recorded that he never neglected a lecture ; 

 and by rigid economy of time, and a regular and 

 exact distribution of the hours, he completed those 

 extraordinary labours which remain lasting proofs 

 of his talents, acuteness, and industry. 



Of his wife, Linnaeus makes honourable mention, 

 and numbers her as among the choice gifts be- 

 stowed on him. " She was," he says, " the wife for 

 whom he most wished, and who managed his 

 household affairs while he was engaged in laborious 

 studies." 



The year 1764 was marked by several events of 

 domestic interest in the life of Linnaeus. Early in 

 the spring he was attacked by a violent pleurisy, 

 which threatened to cut short his existence. He 

 relates how, with great difficulty, and through the 

 kind assistance and consummate skill of Rosen, his 

 present friend and old enemy, he was brought safely 

 through the crisis. It is truly pleasing to read in 

 his private memoranda, the gratitude he felt to his 

 old rival, and the expressions of intimate regard 

 which thenceforward prevailed between them. Re- 

 covered from this illness, Linnaeus retired to Ham- 



