318 LINN^US. 



such as a visit or letter from the king, the adoption 

 of his system in the botanic garden of Paris, the 

 Pope's approval of his works, and similar occurrences. 



At the beginning of 1777^ lie was still at Up- 

 sal, and continued in the same lamentable state, 

 although he occasionally enjoyed intervals of in- 

 tellectual vigour. In general, however, his powers 

 had so much failed, that he ceased to recognise his 

 own works when they were placed before him ; and, 

 it is said, even forgot his name. When the season 

 advanced, he was carried to his country-house at 

 Hammarby, where he remained during the sum- 

 mer. In fine weather he was occasionally taken 

 into the garden or museum, that he might see his 

 collections and books, which always gave him plea- 

 sure. In autumn his health improved a little, and 

 lie returned to Upsal ; but, although he had inti- 

 mated that he was still desirous of rendering him- 

 self useful to the university, so far as his decayed 

 faculties might permit, he was unequal to the de- 

 livery of his introductory lecture, which was there- 

 fore read by his son. 



He was still able to go out, however, although 

 the coachman had orders not to take him beyond 

 the limits of the town. In December, he got upon 

 a sledge, and forced his servant to drive him to 

 Safja, about a league distant. The family, finding 

 that he did not return as usual, became extremely 

 uneasy, and sent in search of him. He was found 

 stretched on the covering of his vehicle, and quietly 

 smoking his pipe by the farmer's fire; nor was 

 it without difficulty that he was induced to go home. 

 This is the last remarkable act of his life that has 

 been recorded; and we have nothing more to add, but 



