EARLY EDUCATION 
17 
pare for him a good reception at the University. “ As 
nature,” said he, “ in the .vegetable kingdom offers a 
delightful spectacle, when by removal of plants from 
one place to another leads to their happy and early 
growth, so the Muses by a specially graceful way of 
partiality, invite youths with uncommon gifts, some¬ 
times to change their place of learning, thereby the 
more quickly to transpose their studies' sweet nectar 
into blood and sap. With this view the High School 
Muses call from our Gymnasium Carl Linnaeus, a 
specially distinguished youth of a worthy family, that 
he may be the more welcome and at his first entrance 
may be able to settle himself under their favourable 
protection, he seeks to exhibit a testimony of his 
studies and his behaviour. To this end I certify that 
with regard to morals, he has displayed a godly, good 
and honourable disposition; in his studies has applied 
unwearied diligence, and has kept himself from all 
evil intercourse. Therefore I recommend to you, 
Rector Magnificus, and to your patronage, your 
favour and good will this well-behaved youth, and 
obligingly and obediently beg you, on the ground of 
your friendly graciousness to all who are noble, dis¬ 
creet and virtuous, praying you to take him under 
your guardianship and comfort him with your favour. 
Your benevolent and paternal tenderness he will 
never forget; remembrance of it will ever be retained, 
so I, as long as I live, will offer up pious wishes for 
your welfare.” 
After returning to the paternal home, Carl’s time 
was divided between collecting plants and reading 
for examination for his entrance to the University. 
Then was decided the definite settlement of his future 
life’s object by repeated discussions between him and 
his parents, who even yet had not given up expecta¬ 
tions of his entering upon a clergyman’s career. He 
himself determined to become a medical man and 
botanist and nothing else; his mother was more dis¬ 
turbed at that, than if her lad changed his religion, 
B 
