78 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



and the queen's ailment disappeared. Thus did the 

 cough first introduce him to court and there advance 

 his prosperity.' l He soon became the fashionable phy- 

 sician of the capital. Linnaeus was now sought by the 

 rich and powerful ; not so much for his talents and 

 genius as for his popularity. He had a way of putting 

 himself en evidence, so that it was almost impossible to 

 overlook or forget him, and he now began to acquire 

 the knack of managing bodies of men, and to learn to 

 work in co-operation ; among these men his great per- 

 sonal ascendency was at once felt. 



Linnaeus became acquainted with the learned 

 Captain Triewald, who was projecting the institution of 

 an Academy of Sciences in the metropolis, ' concerning 

 which he frequently consulted Baron Hopken, Jonas 

 Alstrom, 2 and Dr. Linnaeus.' These persons met, formed 

 their regulations, and laid the foundation of the academy 

 in May 1739. They drew lots for the offices, and that 

 of president fell on Linnaeus, which was fortunate, as 

 he possessed in a remarkable degree the qualifications 

 of a president grace of manner, and tact for the cere- 

 monial duties ; eloquence for the necessary speechifying ; 

 besides learning, to give weight to the office and value 

 to his casting vote. 



Stoever, speaking of Count Tessin as his great 

 Maecenas, says, ' By his interest he laid the foundation 

 of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm.' 



1 Stoever. 



2 The alstroemeria is named after him. 



