LEYDENTHE FAT OF THE LAND 313 



These diversions never caused a break in his work : 

 they only added to his difficulty in finding time. 

 * Creative genius is not a passive quality that can be 

 laid aside or taken up as it suits the convenience of the 

 possessor.' l 



One day, while walking in the streets of Leyden, 

 passing round the Jioek 2 by the ' informatory,' as they 

 translate a school, Carl unexpectedly met his own loved 

 friend, his second self, Artedi, who had just come from 

 England ; and oh, what an outpouring in the dear old 

 mother-tongue ! So much to hear and tell ; such 

 struggles and successes, and on Artedi's side such con- 

 tinual disappointment. He told Linnaeus ' he had 

 spent all his money in London, and he was in want of 

 more to purchase clothes and books, and also for the 

 purpose of obtaining his degree and returning home, 

 and he knew no means of raising it.' 3 Poor Artedi, 

 with his golden dreams vanished ! Not only alchemy 

 had failed, as Linnaeus had foretold it would, but learn- 

 ing too, though everyone had prophesied it wouldn't. 

 In the phraseology of those days, he saw Linnaeus, 

 who had climbed the steps of the temple of fame, while 

 he stood below on the muddy level of adversity. The 

 prosecution of his studies had reduced him to beggary- 

 life cost so dear in England. Could Carl put him in 

 the way of earning any money ? 



* Linnaeus comforted him with the assurance that 

 as he was not now under the confined circumstances 

 1 B. K. Haydon. 2 Corner. 8 Diary. 



