LINN^US. 93 



marby, to enjoy the fresh invigorating air of the 

 country, and to celebrate his " Silfer BroUop," a 

 Swedish custom of commemorating the twenty- 

 fifth return of the wedding day. One of his most 

 celebrated pupils, Professor Fabricius, has given 

 some interesting particulars respecting his eminent 

 master at this period of his life. 



" For two whole years," he says, " I was so 

 fortunate as to enjoy his instruction, guidance, and 

 confidential friendship. When I became acquainted 

 with the Chevalier von Linne, although he had 

 not attained his sixtieth year, increasing age had 

 already furrowed his brow with wrinkles. His 

 countenance was open, almost constantly serene, and 

 bore great resemblance to his portrait in the book 

 called Species Plantarum. But his eyes, of all the 

 eyes I ever saw, were the most beautiful. They 

 certainly were but small, but they shone with a 

 brilliancy, and had a degree of penetration, such as 

 I never observed in another man. His mind was 

 noble and elevated, though I well know some 

 persons have accused him of several faults. But 

 his greatest excellence consisted in the systematic 

 order of his thoughts. Whatever he did or said 

 was faithful to order, truth, and regularity. His 

 passions were strong and violent, his heart open 

 to every impression of joy, and he loved jocularity, 

 conviviality, and good living, An excellent com- 

 panion, he was pleasant in conversation, and full of 

 entertaining stories ; at the same time, suddenly 

 roused to anger, he was boisterous and violent, but 



