

MEMOIR OF LINNAEUS. 



Carl Linnaeus, the subject of this Memoir, was born 24th May, 

 1707, at Rashult, in the province of Smaland, while his father was 

 still comminster. With an inheritance of his father's love for plants, 

 and their cultivation, he is thus recorded by one of his pupils : " From 

 the very time that he first left the cradle, he almost lived in his 

 father's garden, which was planted with some of the rarer shrubs 

 and flowers; and thus were kindled, before he was out of his mother's 

 arms, those sparks which shone so vividly all his lifetime, and latter- 

 ly burst into such a flame," 



The elder Linnaeus wished, and intended, that his first-born should 

 succeed him in the office of pastor ; and he endeavoured to regulate 

 the clerical education of his son, as far as his means would permit. 

 At the age of seven, Linnseus was placed under the private charge of 

 John Ziliander ; and two years afterwards was entered to the school 

 of Wenid ; but in both these places the discipline is said to have been 

 severe, and not well fitted for the advancement of a young man of his 

 mild temper, and he was soon after placed under another private tutor, 

 who possessed a more conciliating disposition. His distaste for ordi- 

 nary studies could not be so easily overcome; and it was not till three 

 years after that he received promotion to a higher form in the school, 

 called the circle. In this rank he was allowed more leisure, which 

 was invariably devoted to his favourite pursuits, and chiefly his 

 earliest — that of plants. 



According to the systen of education at this time employed in 

 Sweden, it was necessary that young men should pass from the schools, 

 or from private teachers, to what is called the gymnasium, where the 

 higher branches of literature was taught ; and at the age of sixteen, 

 Linnaeus was placed at this seminary. Here he still continued his 

 dislike for those studies particularly necessary for a divine ; and be- 

 gan to show a more decided taste for botany, by forming a small 

 library of such books as he could procure upon this science, and from 



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