LINNiEUS. 



199 



botany, which Linnaeus procured secretly from a 

 young man who also lodged in the house, and in pe- 

 rusing which he often spent a great part of the night. 

 His patron was informed of his vigils, and as he 

 was of a merry, convivial disposition, suspected him 

 of sitting up for the purpose of amusing himself 

 with the servants. He resolved, therefore, to watch 

 his proceedings, and, if his suspicions proved just, 

 to reprimand him for his unbecoming conduct. But 

 on entering Linnseus's room unexpectedly, what 

 was his surprise to find him intrenched among 

 the tomes of Csesalpinus, Bauhin, Tournefort, and 

 other eminent botanists ! The result of this visit, 

 as might have been expected, was free permission to 

 make use of the library, and an increased attach- 

 ment to the student. The same benevolent person 

 embraced every opportunity of aiding him in his 

 pursuits ; gave him lessons on petrifactions and 

 molluscous animals ; taught him various branches 

 of medicine; admitted him to his table; sent him 

 occasionally to visit his patients ; and went so far 

 as to talk of making him his heir. 



In 1728, after he had recovered from the effects 

 of the severe malady with which he had been at- 

 tacked, he visited his parents. His mother was ex- 

 tremely grieved at seeing him occupy his whole 

 time in collecting plants and glueing them upon 

 paper, as she plainly perceived that there was now 

 no hope of his ever becoming a preacher. Dr Roth- 

 mann, who frequently saw him, pointed out the 

 superior advantages which students possessed at 

 Upsal, where there were '' the learned Roberg, the 

 great Rudbeck," a splendid library, and a fine bo- 

 tanic garden. He also named many poor students. 



