3o6 THE DEATH OF THE YOUNGER LINN^US. 



creased violence, and he fell in a profound and lethargic slumber, which 

 soon changed into the sleep of death. In the afternoon on the first 

 of November 1783, an apople£lic stroke put a period to his exist- 

 ence, in the full prime of life, and in the forty-second year of his 

 age. 



His death eclipsed totally many fine and brilliant hopes. Great men 

 are rare phenomena, and it is a still rarer case for their greatness to be 

 transplanted among their descendants in direft line. Nf.avton died 

 single; and so did Pope, Leibnitz and Voltaire. Baron 

 Emanuel Haller followed his father early to the tomb, and the 

 younger Linn/eus earlier still. He died in a state of celibacy. The 

 domestic circumstances under which be attained the age of manhood, 

 had not permitted him to choose a partner of his life. 



The same domestic circumstances had also a great influence upon 

 the harmony of his mind, and the formation of his charafter. In a 

 strong and fine body he possessed a noble and excellent heart. He striftly 

 resembled his father by his keen and penetrating eyes, in temper and 

 aQivity of mind ; but he was neither endowed with the enterprising re- 

 soluteness and energy of his charafler, nor with his assurance, his can- 

 dour, his consciousness of superiority, his love of adulation, and the 

 grandeur of his outward appearance. Fond of praise and honour, he 

 never sought after eulogiums, nor was he forward or ostentatious with 

 regard to his learning and merits. Steadily bent upon the execution of 

 all his undertakings and resolutions, he attended gratefully to the hints 

 and remarks of others, whenever they bore conviflion with them.. He was 

 the delight of his friends, an honour to the University of Upbd, and an 

 a objeOi 



