10 
MEMOIR OF LINNAEUS. 
Our illustrious naturalist might now be said to have reached 
the height of his earthly happiness— independent in his circum- 
stances ; at peace, and beloved by his family ; and looked up to 
and honored by the heads of sciences in Europe. "He was not, 
however," says one of his biographers, " destined to continue in 
the career of reputation and prosperity, without exciting envy, 
jealousy and opposition, from various quarters ; and the attacks of 
his adversaries did not fail to wound his ambition. Yet, remem- 
bering the advice of his venerable friend, Boerhaave, and being 
of too high a cast of mind to entertain asperity, or indulge in 
splenetic invectives, he wisely resolved to abstain from controversy. 
We have now seen Linnaeus independent in his circumstances, 
and happy in his family ; but there was still another step at which 
his ambition grasped, — an ambition in this case laudable. It was 
the botanic chair of Upsala. He was eager to teach his favorite 
science in the halls where he had been himself taught, and had 
often entered with a boyish awe. It was still occupied by Rud- 
beck, now in the decline of life, and nearly unfit for the exertion 
of instructing a class. This celebrated man died in the ensuing 
year, and Linnaeus offered himself as a candidate. Notwithstand- 
ing his fame, he was disappointed in this object. The University 
statutes opposed his success ; and, according to the regulations, it 
was given to Dr. Rosen, who had studied longer, and had greater 
claims upon Upsala. The summit of his wishes, was, however, 
gained in the following year. He was appointed to the chair of 
medicine, vacant in the same University ; and, by a private ar- 
rangement with Dr. Rosen, effected an exchange, receiving the 
superintendence of the botanic garden, and charge of the whole 
department of Natural History. 
Before his final removal to the professorship of Upsala, the 
Diet of the kingdom had resolved that expeditions should be un- 
dertaken into the least known Swedish provinces, to inquire into 
their resources, and discover what substances could be usefully 
