114 OPPONENTS OF LINN^US. 



" your lot. Who triumphs without scars ? To me, aisd perhaps to you 

 «' the time is too valuable to be spent in disputes. I am also too young 

 ^' for them. If you once take up arms, you must not lay them down 

 " till the conclusion of the war, and this once began might last till 

 " death. And all this weighty and serious ftruggle — how would it appear 

 " in the eyes of posterity at the expiration of half a century ? — As a 

 tale, as a mere joke! I am not ashamed of being taught better by 

 " you — Behold him, whom you wish to make your enemy, and who 

 once more solicits most carnesdy peace and your friendship. 

 " But should the rumour circulating be without foundation, I most 

 « earnesdy beg your pardon, for having troubled you with these ample 

 " representations." 



The fear of Linn^us was panic, and the report turned out to be 

 an idle story. Haller wrote immediately to inforjn him of his^ 

 friendly disposition in the warmest expressions, and to assure him, 

 that it never entered into his head to molest him in his laudable career. 

 LinntEus in return, sent him a letter of thanks on the first of Mayj 

 in which he paid the following complimpnf. « I feel an uncommon 

 *^ pleasure in the falsehood of the report. You only and Dillenius ' 



I could wish never to be mine enemies. For you both have read 

 " the same book which I read — you have read Nature. — As to other 

 botanists who can only boast of book-learning, I do not value them, 

 " however great their erudition might be." 



In the same year this scientific zeal brought on a short interruption 

 of their friendship. Haller had sent Linn^us a copy of his disser- 

 tation of inauguration on the method of studying botany (de Methodo 

 itudii Boianici, Goett. 1736.^ Linn^us, in an unguarded moment, too 



proud 



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