A STUDENT AT UPSAL. 17 



misfortunes and adverse chances, but ultimately became the theatre of 

 his greatness. 



He arrived at Upsal, vvith a considerable store of knowledge; but 

 his finances were slender, and such as they were, from the vivacity of 

 his temper he could hardly manage them to advantage. Meanwhile he 

 pursued his favourite study vvith all possible zeal, free from care and 

 anxiety respefting his bodily support. His professors were Olof or 

 Olaus Rudbeck, jun. and Roberg. They were both old men; a 

 circumstance, which, in several instances, proved fortunate to Lin n ^iius. 

 The greatest adept in natural history, and especially in botany, iu 

 Sweden, was Olaus Celsius, a clergyman, first professor of divinity, 

 and afterwards head of the chapter of Upsal. When Linn.^us first 

 began to reform natural history he described him in a letter to 

 Baron Haller, as the only botanist of his country*. At first the 

 youth hoped, in vain, to profit by the learning of this great man, who 

 was then at Stockholm on official business. He was, therefore, obliged 

 to continue his career without any guidance except that of his own 

 genius. The works of the immortal men of the two last centuries now 

 served to enlighten his progress. 



A twelvemonth had scarcely elapsed, when Link^us saw himself 

 reduced to the most calamitous and distressed circumstances. What little 

 substance he had brought with him was expended, he could expeft no 

 supplies from home, his debts and the cares of providing for his liveli- 

 hood increased, and no chearing prospe6l promised a mitigation of his 



* In Stiecla nuUus est hotan'icus, prueterquam Ol. Celsius, primarius Theologia Pro- 

 fessor, qui absque generibus plantas amat, muscos sedulo qucerit. Rudbeckius en'im decrepitus 

 est. This letter to-Baron Haller is dated from ifar/f'f «?«/>, Vit^x Leyden, May i, 1737. 



D hapless 



