SO-CALLED INTRIGUES 
117 
“ This was a blow which at once blasted Linnaeus’s 
hopes. ... No wonder therefore that he became in¬ 
tensely moved; his anger became fury; he forgot 
himself and his own welfare and all consideration. 
When Rosen came out of the Consistory, he rushed 
insanely upon him, drew his sword, and was about to 
strike him down, when he was happily stopped by the 
spectators. 
“ This event naturally evoked the greatest interest, 
and Rosen, who possessed a permanent post in the 
University, reported it. In conformity with the regu¬ 
lations, Linnaeus should have been banished from 
Uppsala, but happily, through one of his benefactors, 
this was prevented. Olof Celsius exerted himself on 
Linnaeus’s behalf . . . and succeeded in reducing 
the punishment to temporary banishment, Linnaeus 
thus obtaining forgiveness, but no help. Llis 
impetuous temperament urged him to desperation, all 
his thoughts turning to stabbing Rosen, if he should 
meet him in the street.” 
No confirmation of this violent attack by a student 
on an Academic Professor, and consequent punish¬ 
ment, can be gained from the Academic Minutes of 
the Consistory at this period. They are preserved 
complete, and in them are to be found full reports of 
all occurrences, sometimes yery unimportant. But in 
all these minutes for the entire period of Linnaeus’s 
student life, not a single word is made known, that 
he became liable to any reproach or punishment in 
any way. Certainly the name of Linnaeus often 
occurs in these minutes, more so than that of any 
other student, but always with the expression of the 
heartiest goodwill, and with the most flattering ex¬ 
pressions. just as little is found the slightest des¬ 
cription of Linnaeus being summoned to the Con¬ 
sistory, or of the yielding of that body to Rosen’s 
demand. It can therefore be asserted with absolute 
certainty that the whole story of the duel and banish¬ 
ment is a complete fabrication. 
