LINNiEUS. 331 



her father^, avowing, not without much confusion, 

 my total want of fortune. He was favourable on 

 some accounts, but had many objections. He ap- 

 proved of me, but not of my circumstances; and 

 desired that things might remain as they were for 

 three years, after which he would tell me his de- 

 termination. Having arranged my affairs, and made 

 the necessary preparations for a journey, I quitted 

 my native country with thirty-six gold ducats in 

 ray pocket. I immediately took my medical degree 

 (at Harder wyk in Holland), but was not in cir- 

 cumstances to return home with much comfort. I 

 remained, as you know, in Holland. In the mean 



time, my most intimate friend B regularly 



forwarded the letters of my mistress by the post. 

 She continued faithful. In the course of last year, 

 1738, which I passed at Dr Van Royen's with the 

 approbation of the young lady, though it was the 

 fourth year of my absence, and her father had re- 

 quired but three, B thought he had himself 



made considerable progress in her favour. By my 

 recommendation he was made a professor ; and he 

 took upon him to persuade my betrothed that I 

 should never return to my own country. He court- 

 ed her assiduously, and was very near obtaining 

 her, had it not been for another friend, who laid 

 open his treachery. He has since paid dearly for 

 his conduct, by innumerable misfortunes. 



" At last I came back, but still destitute of a main- 

 tenance. The young lady was partial to me, and 

 not to him. I settled at Stockholm, the laughing- 

 stock of every body on account of my botany. No 

 one cared how many sleepless nights and toilsome 

 hours I had passed, as all, with one voice, declared 



