LINN^US. 369 



We do not find any remarkable deviations in 

 his general conduct from the straight path of mo- 

 rality. It is trae^ that in the affair of Rosen the 

 impetuosity of his temper had nearly betrayed him 

 into an act which would have stamped his memory 

 with indelible disgrace ; but if he exhibited some 

 of the frailties and errors inseparable from hu- 

 manity, it is neither our inclination to search them 

 out, nor our province to pronounce judgment upon 

 them. He has been accused of betraying a pru- 

 rient imagination in the names which he gave to 

 many objects, both in the vegetable and animal 

 kingdoms. It is certain, that a more chastened 

 taste would have enabled him to avoid offence in 

 this matter ; but neither in conversation nor in act 

 has any moral delinquency been laid to his charge. 



In all his writings there appears a deep feeling 

 of reverence and gratitude towards the Supreme 

 Being ; and in the history of his life we find nothing 

 which could lead us to suppose that such feelings 

 were assumed for the occasion. Over the door of his 

 room was inscribed^ — " Innocui vivite, Numen adest, 

 — Live in innocence, for God is present." His more 

 important works he commences and ends with some 

 passage from the Scriptures, expressive of the power, 

 the glory, the beneficence of God, the creator and 

 preserver of all things. Whenever, in his lectures 

 or on his excursions, he found an opportunity of ex- 

 patiating on these subjects, he embraced it with en- 

 thusiasm. ^^ On these occasions," says one of his 

 biographers, " his heart glowed with celestial fire, 

 and his mouth poured forth torrents of admirable 

 eloquence." Where is the naturalist, possessed of the 

 true feelings of a man, who does not honour in his 



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