LINNiEUS. 



195 



fellows considered him as an idle vagabond; but 

 his master, whose name was Lanaerius, formed a 

 proper judgment of his genius, which he was the 

 better enabled to do, as he himself was fond of 

 botany. 



In 1724, young Linnaeus entered the upper col- 

 lege or gymnasium at Wexio, where his deficiencies 

 in classical attainments were looked upon with less 

 indulgence. The admonitions of his teachers were 

 contemned ; the passion inspired by nature still pre- 

 vailed; and complaints were made to his father, 

 who, finding him averse to the study of divinity, 

 and perhaps believing him incapable of acquiring 

 literary knowledge, resolved to bind him apprentice 

 to a shoemaker. Considering the circumstances of 

 his parents, and the little prospect of their son's 

 obtaining a comfortable livelihood by his botanical 

 pursuits, we need not ascribe this determination to 

 a less estimable motive than prudent affection. 

 Fortunately, however, the design was not carried 

 into effect. 



A physician at Wexio, who was also professor of 

 medicine in the college of that city, had taken no- 

 tice of the genius and peculiar pursuits of the boy, 

 and, hearing of his father's intentions, ventured to 

 offer his assistance and advice. The encomiums of 

 this benevolent person, Dr John Rothmann, in- 

 spired the parents with unexpected pleasure. The 

 entreaties of their son himself were joined to the kind 

 intercession of his protector, who had promised to take 

 him into his own family for a year, and provide him 

 with every thing necessary. Natural history was 

 not then in Sweden, any more than it is now in our 

 own country, a study which of itself could lead to 



