42 
MEMOIR OF SWAMMERDAM. 
These opinions Swammerdam appears to have 
adopted in their utmost extent* and their effect on 
his melancholic temperament was such as to produce 
a completely morbid state of mind. The studies in 
which he had taken greatest delight* now began to 
appear odious to him. It was with the utmost diffi- 
culty that he could allow himself to finish his favourite 
work on Bees* and no sooner was it completed than 
he put it into the hands of another* without giving 
himself the least concern what might become of it. 
His inclination urged him strongly to continue his 
pursuits* but he now thought them incompatible with 
his duty to the Creator* as he alone* and not his 
creatures, was worthy of engrossing all his love and 
regard. All worldly interests* accordingly* were 
soon despised and abandoned* and he devoted him- 
self wholly to the performance of the duties of re- 
ligion* according to the erroneous notion he had 
formed of them. Every step he took was by the 
advice and authority of Antonia Bourignon* and she 
took care not to endanger the influence she had 
acquired over him* by allowing him to resume his 
former occupations* or engage in the ordinary busi- 
ness of life. His condition was rendered more de- 
plorable and hopeless* by a return of his former com- 
plaint* quartan ague, in greater severity than ever* 
occasioning such a prostration both of mental and 
bodily powers that he was for a time unfit for any 
kind of exertion. He now resolved to withdraw 
entirely from the world, and spend the remainder of 
his days in solitary meditation. Before taking this 
