270 LINN^US. 



Star for men of merit in the civil line, and Linnaeus 

 was the first who was admitted into it by his suc- 

 cessor, Frederick Adolphus. He proposed for his 

 arms the three fields of nature, black, green, and 

 red, surmounted by an egg, with the Linnsea for a 

 crest; but the keeper of the great seal adopted a 

 different arrangement. The Diet at the same time 

 bestowed on him a reward of upwards of £520 

 sterling, for his discovery relative to the production 

 of pearls ; and it is even asserted that his elevation 

 to the rank of nobility was not given on account 

 of his botanical labours, or his general merits, but 

 for this alleged discovery, which, however, has turned 

 to no account. 



But the interest which we have felt in the pro- 

 gress of this great man now begins to be less intense. 

 He seems to us to have accomplished his destiny, and 

 we prepare to trace his steps to the grave. In his do- 

 mestic life he is supposed to have been subjected to 

 many mortifications, arising from the parsimony and 

 domineering temper of his wife. Long before this 

 period, too, he had become subject to attacks of rheu- 

 matism, gravel, and gout ; while his too-sensitive 

 mind was harassed by the open as well as more in- 

 sidious attacks of his opponents. It is pleasing to 

 witness the reconciliation of enemies, and we have al- 

 ready remarked that Linnaeus and his old antagonist 

 Rosen were ultimately on the most friendly terms. 

 '^ In 1764," says the private manuscript, '' he was 

 attacked by a violent pleurisy. He was anxiously 

 attended by Dr Rosen, who saved him from certain 

 death. From this time he conceived the most sin- 

 cere affection for his brother-professor." 



