REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES. 47 



once be ! Botany appeared to him too uncertain a branch of fame and 

 support. He, -therefore, advised Linn^us to apply himself more ex- 

 clusively to the theoretical and praftical study of physic. It then became 

 necessary for the latter in order to see crowned the most ardent of his 

 wishes, by the possession of his beloved, to take his degree of Do6tor be- 

 fore the expiration of the limited period. Want of money had rendered 

 this impossible, notwithstanding his multifarious learned exertions. Love 

 helped him to conquer these diinculties. In the year 1733, he had the 

 good fortune, through the friendship and influence of professor Wall- 

 rave, to obtain a pension arising from a foundation made in the uni- 

 versity of Upsal^ by one Wrede. This pension amounted to sixty dollars 

 per annum*. He strained every nerve to obtain a continuation of this 

 benefaftion, but his efforts proved unsuccessful. His Elizabeth became 

 however his support. She procured him about one hundred dollars out of 

 her savings, arising from the liberality of her father. To this, Linnaeus 

 added what little money he had laid by from his pension and lefturest. 

 With this stock he was to travel into a distant country, and to acquire 

 the title of do6lor. At that time it was customary in Sweden for stu- 

 dents to take up their degrees in foreign universities, a fashion in some 

 respe6ls attended with expence, in others produdive of utility. The 

 Swedish physicians used then to become graduates in Holland, and 

 generally at the University of Harderxvyk, which was the least expen- 

 sive. Linn^us was therefore, preparing for his departure to that 



* The pensions granted by the crown to the students at Upsal, amount to forty-five. 

 Private pensions, called Stipendia Magnatum, there are now thirty and some odd. 



t In a letter to Baron Haller already mentioned, Linn^ us himself says: Exlui fa- 

 triam 36 nummis aureis dives. By Nummi awei, LinnjEus always mea it ducats, the 

 usual gold cunency of Siveden. According to F.^bricius, it made a sum of one hundred 

 ducats. 



a country. 



