THE KNIGHT OF THE POLAR STAR 293 



fact that the number of students in Upsala University 

 was doubled and trebled, and visitors came there from all 

 parts. People do not go so far as Sweden to see a man 

 unless they admire him. ' By his force of character he 

 shifted the scientific centre of gravity to a small town 

 in Sweden.' l Presents and specimens poured in upon 

 him from all quarters. Kings and queens were eager 

 for his society. When the King of Spain sent out a 

 botanic expedition to South America, orders were given 

 to collect specimens for the Spanish court, the King of 

 France, the Queen of Sweden and Linnaeus. The King 

 of Spain made him handsome proposals to attach himself 

 to the court of Madrid. He offered him nobility, the 

 free use of his religion, and a splendid botanical ap- 

 pointment. This proposal was conveyed to him in a very 

 polite letter by the Duke of Grimaldi, then Prime Mini- 

 ster of Spain. Linnaeus answered the King of Spain's 

 offers like a true patriot ' If he had any merits they 

 were due to his own country.' His pupil Loefling 

 (born 1729) obtained through the recommendation of 

 Linnaeus the appointment of botanist to the King of 

 Spain, in which capacity he explored the botanical 

 treasures of South America, where he died February 

 22, 1756. 



In 1752 (on the king's birthday) he made a speech : 



1 1 am happier than a king of Persia. You know, fathers 



and fellow-citizens of this academy, that this garden is 



my Rhodus, or rather my Elysium. Here I possess all 



1 Jackson, 



