C i6 ] 
Linn^us wanted. Rofen therefore fummoned him be- 
fore the fenate, pleaded the ftatute and the legal incapa- 
city of his opponent, and he was confequently and 
neceflarily forbidden to continue his leisures. Adver- 
fity had not yet fo far fubdued the noble fpirit of 
Linnaius, as to make him patient of the rellraints ne- 
celTary in the regulation of focial life. Upon Rofen’s 
leaving the fenate he followed him home, in a paroxyfm 
of rage and defpair drew his fword, and but for the in- 
terference of fome by-ftanders who wrefted the weapon 
from his hands, would have plunged it into his body. 
An outrage fo contrary to all order and decency made 
Rofen complain to the fenate j and after an inveftigation, 
he was, by the kind interpofition of Celfius, difmiffed 
with only a reprimand. Perceiving that by this ihter- 
ruption of his plans all his hopes of honours and inde- 
pendence were likely to be fruftrated, his determination 
to revenge himfelf on this officious opponent was for a 
time fo furious, that he refolved to ftab Rofen wherever 
he fliould find him in the ftreets. But the mind of 
Linnaeus could not long hold a refolutlgn fp offenfiye to 
every rule of reafon and religion, and after the vehe- 
mence of his palfiorj had foipewhat fubfided, his reflec- 
tions upon the hazards he had efcaped induced him te 
write the particular diary which he called Nemefis 
divina. 
Deprived of refources which promifed fo ample a 
reward for his ftudies and labours, Linnaeus was again 
