IV MEMOIR OF UNNiEUS. 



his studious perusal of them, acquired the college name of the ' Little 

 Botanist.' 



Nearly two years after, the elder Linnaeus came to Wenid, to as- 

 certain the progress of his son's studies ; and the disappointment of 

 the sanguine hopes of a parent may be conceived, when the recom- 

 mendations of his preceptors extended only to his ability for some 

 manual employment ; and the farther expense, in forcing a learned 

 education, would be comparatively thrown away. The old clergy- 

 man, having for some time laboured under a complaint which might 

 have now increased from his anxiety, was obliged to consult Dr. Roth- 

 man, a provincial physician ; and grieving at the seemingly wayward 

 and careless disposition of his son, he opened his mind to the doctor, 

 who kindly prescribed for both his mental and bodily sufferings. He 

 remarked, that although the boy might be unfit to follow that profes- 

 sion in which his father Would have wished to have seen him his suc- 

 cessor, there was the greater hope that some other study would be 

 more ardently pursued ; that he might yet arrive at eminence in me- 

 dicine, as being more intimately connected with that branch of his 

 own choosing ; and he offered to give young Linnaeus board and in- 

 struction during the year, which it was still necessary he should make 

 up at the Gymnasium. 



The offer of Dr. Rothman was gratefully accepted ; and that gen- 

 tleman faithfully redeemed his promises. He gave his now willing 

 pupil instructions in physiology and botany, pointing out the advan- 

 tages of studying the latter science according to the system of Tour- 

 nefort. In both Linnteus made considerable proficiency, had already 

 commenced to arrange every plant in its proper place, and even to 

 doubt the situations of many whose characters had not been properly 

 ascertained. 



Next year it was thought necessary that Linnaeus should com- 

 plete his education at some university ; and, upon applying at the 

 Gymnasium, he received the following metaphorical testimonial, 

 which will show the little esteem in which his qualifications as a scho- 

 lar were held ; and is a curious example of the manner in which the 

 professors worded their certificates : ' Youth, at school, might be com- 

 pared to shrubs in a garden, which will sometimes, though rarelv, 

 elude all the care of the gardener : but, if transplanted into a different 

 soil, may become fruitful trees.' With this view, therefore, and no 

 other, the bearer was sent to the university, when it was possible that 

 he might meet with a climate propitious to his progress. 



With this certificate he proceeded to the university of Lund ; and 

 only procured admittance by the interest of his old preceptor Hok, 



