THE LIFE OF THE YOUNGER LINNAEUS. 
292 
causes and motives of this maternal ill-will are of such a nature, as may 
well remain unnoticed by us. 
« It was singular,” “ says professor Fabricius, who speaks as an 
ocular witness, “that the lady of Linnaeus should have had so 
« particular an aversion to her son. He could not have had a greater 
< enemy in the world than his own mother. The father was obliged 
t« to send him out of the house, and when he was at liberty to appoint 
« a person to be his successor, she forced him to pass by his own son, 
« and to choose Doctor So lander, who she thought would marry her 
« elcte tughter: Out as Solander refused to leave England , he 
« ultimately fixed his choice upon his son, though still very much 
« against the will of his wife. After the father’s death she forced him 
« to purchase every article of her, even the herbarium.” 
The truth and imp tiality of this account is confirmed by the una- 
nimitv oF all other collateral testimonies. The strongest and most nu- 
merous proofs might be adduced on this subjeH. Were it compatible 
with the duty of veiacity, which is incumbent on every historian, how ' 
chearfully would we pass in silence all particulars of this kind. We 
wdll therefore entirely confine ourselves to add the following account, 
by way of appendage to that given by Fabricius. It is extraHed 
from a letter of a celebrated man, who had long been in an habit of 
the greatest intimacy with Ljnn&us and his son. 
“The lady of Liskjus was a good housewife, but in no resped a 
« pattern of a sweet and mild mother, or of a tender spouse. Her only 
« son lived under the most slavish restraint and in continual fear of her. 
« Even when he had attained the age of manhood, and bore an acade- 
ti mical dignity, she compelled him to sweep bis own room. 
“ One 
