76 



LINNtEUS in HOLLAND. 



LiNN^us had only given a view of the three reigns of nature, 

 with a better division and order, but this already manifested his 

 vast and inventive genius. The small work, v/hich made the be- 

 ginning of his reform, created universal attention, and was re- 

 ceived with the greatest applause. The author, however, could 

 not conceive the least hope of making his fortune in Holland. His 

 pecuniary resources were almost exhausted. He was preparing to re- 

 turn to his native country, although no charming prospeft invited him 

 thither. The most eminent man then at the University of Leyden, and 

 who made a great epoch in its annals, was Hermann Boerh a ave, the 

 general oracle of medicine. Linn^us had particularly wished to see 

 and converse with him, but it was in vain. Indeed there was no room for 

 surprise at his disappointment. No Minister could be more overwhelmed 

 with intreaties and invitations, nor more difficult in granting an audience 

 than BoERHAAVE. His menial servants reaped advantages from this 

 circumstance ; for them an audience was always a profitable money- 

 job; by the weight of gold it could^alone be accomplished. Without a 

 douceur it was hard for any stranger or foreigner to gain admittance. 

 LiNN.ius was quite unacquainted with this method, and had it not in 

 his power to make presents. Owing to Boerh aave's infinite occupations, 

 and the strift regularity which he observed, Ambassadors, Princes, and 

 Peter the Great himself, were obliged to wait several hours in his 

 anti-chamber, to obtain an interview*. How much more difficult must it 



have 



* The following historical and chafteristic anecdotes of this great man, will perhaps not 

 be unpleasant to the reader. Boerhaave was born in 1668, at Voorbout, ncdr Leyden. 

 His father was a preacher, and had destined his son for the same sacred fiindfion. But the 

 inclinations of the latter to study divinity ; liowever great his progress appeared in tlie be- 

 ginning, was rather more compulsive than spontaneous. Like Luther, who, vowed to 

 study divinity, during a tempest in which a friend of his was struck dead by a flash from the 

 bursting, element, so Boerhaave met with an accident which made him resolve to renounce 



his 



