336 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINN&US 



besides, has preserved these things dry and unspoiled. 

 Were they not things that could not be replaced, 

 no one would believe that the log and plank house could 

 have preserved all these prints and perishable objects 

 for upwards of a century, thus open and in an empty 

 house. 



This room contains a portrait of Linnaeus in a 

 red coat, and his wife's prettiest portrait, in a red 

 dress. The tester bed has remains of painted muslin 

 curtains of Chinese or Indian fabric, which are still 

 pretty, and must have been charming when fresh. 

 Here is a glass-case full of relics of Linnasus : his 

 doctor's hat from Holland, now faded to a greenish 

 drab felt tricorne with a pinkish bow; also his red 

 velvet calotte with ear-flaps very neatly made (for he 

 was particular about his appearance) that we read of 

 his wearing habitually at Hammarby. Here is also his 

 inkstand a large yellow earthen pot with holes about 

 it for the pens, &c. 



There are portraits of only two of Linnaeus's sisters 

 in the house the two rectors' wives, I fancy. Perhaps 

 Emerentia. who married the Keceiver-General (police- 

 officer ?) Branting, was no credit to the family. We do 

 not know enough about official grades in Sweden to 

 judge of his position, and there are especial difficulties 

 of translation with respect to titles. He seems to have 

 been a tax-gatherer. 



The first room on the landing, facing the saloon, 

 leads to the guest-room a good-sized spare room hung 



