, 



MEMOIR OF LINN^US. 



29 



and the disappointment of the sanguine hopes of a pa- 

 rent may be conceived, when the recommendations of 

 his preceptors extended only to his ability for some 

 manual employment, and that farther expense in 

 forcing a learned education would be comparatively 

 thrown away. The old clergyman, having for some 

 time laboured under a complaint which might have 

 now increased from his anxiety, was obliged to con- 

 sult Dr Rothman, a provincial physician ; and grieving 

 at the seemingly wayward and careless disposition of 

 his son, he opened his mind to the doctor, who kindly 

 prescribed for both his mental and bodily sufferings. 

 He remarked, that, although the boy might be unfit 

 to follow that profession in which his father would have 

 wished to have seen him his successor, there was the 

 greater hope that some other study would be more ar- 

 dently pursued, that he might yet arrive at eminence 

 in medicine, as being more intimately connected with 

 the branch of his own choosing ; and he offered to give 

 young Linne board and instruction during the year 

 which it was still necessary he should make up at the 

 Gymnasium. 



The offer of Dr Rothman was gratefully accepted, 

 and that gentleman faithfully redeemed his promises. 

 He gave his now willing pupil instructions in physio- 

 logy and botany, pointing out the advantages of study- 

 ing the latter science according to the system of Tour 

 nefort. In both Linnaeus made considerable proficiency, 

 had already commenced to arrange every plant in its 



