LINN^US. 333 



their resignation. If this takes place, probably Mr 

 Rosen may succeed Roberg, and I may obtain Rud- 

 beck's appointment. But if I do not, I am content 

 to live and die at Stockholm ; nor shall I oppose the 

 pretensions of any competitor. If, therefore, I should 

 not obtain the botanical professorship at Upsal, and 

 you, at the end of three months, should invite me, 

 I would come, if I may bring my little vs^ife with 

 me. Otherwise, if there be any chance of my 

 ever seeing you at Hamburg, for that reason alone 

 I would go thither, though I live here at a great 

 distance. My regard for you makes me wish to 

 know you personally, to see and talk to you, before 

 I die. Farewell ! may you long continue to be the 

 load-star of our science !" 



Linnaeus and Haller, notwithstanding the fre- 

 quent disputes that took place between them, con- 

 tinued upon the whole on friendly terms, and wrote 

 to each other occasionally, until 1749. The last 

 letter from the Swiss naturalist is dated Berne, 

 April 10, 1766. The correspondence, which is full 

 of interest, more especially with respect to botany, 

 is given by Sir J. E. Smith, from whose " Selection" 

 the above translations have been copied. 



" It is to be lamented," says he, " that Haller 

 published so many confidential letters, unjustly 

 reflecting, here and there, on Linnseus; and that 

 he betrays, in his prefaces and notes, so much 

 petulance towards this old and distinguished friend. 

 He pretends, indeed, to have excluded from all 

 the letters he published every thing personal or 

 confidential. But there are few more disgraceful 

 chronicles of ill humour than this collection of letters 



