30 
LINNAEUS 
the other hand, it must be admitted that in a great 
measure extenuating circumstances may be pleaded on 
their behalf. One is—the advanced age of both; for 
one, scientific activity in other directions, and, for the 
other, a too volatile temperament; also, the wretched 
condition in which the institutions were. It must be 
conceded that few men would not become wearied, if 
(in spite of repeated complaints, reminders and peti¬ 
tions to remedy the worst evils, and without which 
suggested improvements professorial activities were 
paralysed) matters continued as before. How did 
conditions stand in these respects at Uppsala at this 
time ? 
In answering this question, we must first concern 
ourselves with the University hospital. The means 
assigned for its maintenance were so insufficient, that 
Roberg was obliged to let a room in it as a public 
house or beer-shop, but on account of the great dis¬ 
turbance and scandal caused thereby, the arrange¬ 
ment was forbidden by the Consistory after much dis¬ 
cussion, without any substitute being voted for this 
economic advantage. Professor Roberg still lamented 
so great discredit to the hospital, and the Consistory 
readily agreed to help him, so far as it could; but 
until the finances of the hospital revived, the Con¬ 
sistory could not find a way. Shortly afterwards, 
Roberg handed in a document in which he stated 
“ that inspection of the fireplaces and chimneys 
showed the outhouse to be so unusable, together with 
the chimney stack and cooking stoves, that the 
servants refused to stay.” As the worthy professor 
was then at a loss as to what ought to be done, he 
solicited counsel and was advised that the Consistory 
should remove these difficulties as far as possible. 
Later on, he renewed his complaints, but nothing was 
done, except that it was acknowledged to be danger¬ 
ous to retain people near such conditions that might 
also set on fire the largest and finest houses in the 
town, “ which misfortune may God graciously avert.” 
