MEMOIR OF LINN.EUS. 
74 
Swedish ; — that he was a distinguished physician, 
since he published several important works on 
different branches of medicine ; — that he was an 
able antiquary, since he descanted so learnedly on 
the ruins which he met with in the isles of Gothland 
and Oeland ; — and finally, that he was an intelli- 
gent agriculturist, since he produced a considerable 
number of treatises on rural economy. But these 
labours, any one of which might have sufficed to 
confer distinction on less elevated minds, are scarcely 
reckoned of any account amidst the vast multitude 
of his writings. 
That Linnaeus was a patriot, in the true sense of 
the word, enthusiastically devoted to the interests 
of his native country, is abuudantly evident from 
his refusing the flattering offers of foreign princes, 
who tried to tempt him with large pensions to settle 
in their dominions. It was his aim to turn his 
studies and his public works to the advantage of 
Sweden ; the titles which he gave many of them, 
showed that he wished her to inherit their fame, 
whilst several of them were expressly intended for 
improving certain branches of her domestic eco- 
nomy. 
The life of Linnaeus is a history of the natural 
sciences during the eighteenth century. Its principal 
incidents have been touched in the preceding sketch : 
we have seen him struggling with adversity in his 
youth; visiting different countries of Europe to 
gather information, and gratify his ardent passion 
