250 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



ralogy and was universally beloved.' In his diary he 

 says, ( Linnaeus here at Falun found himself in quite a 

 new world, where everybody loved and assisted him, and 

 he acquired considerable medical practice.' 



He had now completed his mineralogical system, and 

 read it, greatly to the satisfaction of the miners. Brou- 

 wallius, at that time chaplain to the Governor Reuterholm, 

 and tutor to his children, 1 conceived a particular regard 

 for Linnaeus, and wished to be taught by him the art 

 of assaying, mineralogy, botany, &c. Linnaeus therefore 

 began a course of lectures on assaying at Falun, and for 

 this purpose obtained permission to make use of the 

 laboratory belonging to the mine district. A consider- 

 able audience attended him. 



One thing marred his good fortune. On his return 

 from Norway he found the sad news awaiting him 

 of his mother's death, at the early age of forty-four. 

 This was a heavy stroke to him, and all the more so 

 that he had not been a comfort to her that his career 

 had hitherto been a source of continued disappointment 

 to her, or at best of hope deferred. 



Now that he was beginning to flourish she was 

 dead and could not enjoy the knowledge of his rising 

 fame. One can only have one mother. He wore 

 deeper mourning for her in his heart than on his per- 

 son wore it with a repentant, prayerful feeling like 

 Johnson's ' Forgive me whatever I have done unkindly to 

 my mother, and whatever I have omitted to do kindly.' 

 1 Diary. 



