THE DREAM FULFILLED 161 



down into the generous wine of riper years. He showed 

 himself throughout Europe to be no wild theorist, but, 

 as Kingsley calls him, i a t sound-headed man,' fit to be 

 the founder of that new thing that was just being seen 

 in the world a living science. He seemed to be at the 

 summit of human happiness married where he was in 

 love ; his restlessness quelled by having seen the world, 

 and being fitted with the work he loved. 



It is pleasant to see Linnaeus in a happy home, with 

 little children about him for he had a baby daughter 

 now, called Elizabeth Christina, shortened as Lisa 

 Stina to know him honoured by his prince and those 

 of high station, leading knowledge onward by his 

 pupils; enjoying congenial intercourse outside, and 

 finding all orderly within ; coming home to write and 

 read of an evening after teacupfuls of tea, ' drinking in 

 ecstasy' as painter Haydon says, 'Nothing like" "tea 

 to studious men. Nectar is nothing to it.' It is a 

 pity that our poor hard-worked London men are 

 obliged to substitute for this fragrant meal, the acme of 

 peace and comfort, a strongly mixed dinner, fussy and 

 fumy, alike burdensome to head and digestion. At 

 best it is but a ceremonious form of supper, while tea is 

 refreshment, chat, and slippers all in one. 



An almost invisible shade was falling on this happy 

 scene. Linnaeus began to feel the decay of overtaxed 

 powers as early as 1741 or 42. 'I still recollect/ says 

 Fabricius, 'having seen him once very much embar- 

 rassed when, after writing a letter to Moraeus, his father- 



VOL. II. M 



