72 
LINN^US AT HAMBURGH. 
foreign countries, which the laws of love and ancient custom had ren- 
dered necessary, and which became pleasant by the happy prospers of 
his farther improvement and the enterprizes he had planned. But he 
could then as little foresee the advantageous circumstances thrown in 
his way by auspicious fate to favour his remarkable career, as he could 
measure the long space of time which he was to pass afar from his 
country. 
He set out on his tour to Holland from Fahlun , through the Southern 
provinces of Sweden , Copenhagen , Jutland , Schleswick, and Holstein to 
Hamburgh. Here he rested himself for some time. His zeal of know- 
ledge outweighed all other considerations. He saw the literary cu- 
riosities and natural colle&ions at Hamburgh , and met with a most ami- 
cable reception on the part of the respective proprietors and other con- 
noisseurs and lovers of natural history. 
Among these was Dr. John Peter Kohl of Altona , afterwards 
professor at Petersburg h, who when advanced in life returned to the 
former place, where he became the benefactor of the college, and en- 
riched it with a large and fine library. At Hamburgh , he found the 
Burgomaster John Anderson, Doftor Geoffry JjEnisch, and 
John von Spreckelsen *, all eminent men, with whom Linnaeus 
carried on a literary correspondence. The great library and collection 
of natural curiosities which belong to the latter, chiefly engrossed his 
attention — afforded him utility and entertainment — but at the same 
time involved him in a pleasant dilemma. 
* Several foreign literary productions have very improperly represented Spreckelsen, 
by the title of Burgomaster; he was only Secretary of Council. Professor Dillenius of 
Oxford has also unstated his death in a letter to Haller, written in 1746. Spreckelsen 
had a correspondence with the greatest Naturalists and Botanists of the age. 
