HIS BENEFACTORS 
287 
day in His Majesty’s cabinet, so that my eyes smart, 
and I can hardly shut them.” At length the work was 
finished and Linne’s duties at Ulriksdal, where the 
cabinet was housed, were ended by the publication of 
the book, which was to “ perpetuate his name as the 
battles of Charles XII.’s did in the reign of that 
monarch.” 
Naturally after the “ Museum Regis ” came out, 
“ Museum Reginas ” must follow; and Linne began the 
work with the same feverish haste he was accustomed 
to show. The “ Prodromus ” was printed in 1764, and 
contained the accounts of shells and insects, but not 
those of the corals, crystals, or the rich gathering of 
metallic ores. The reasons for the delay were many, 
partly because of the issue of other and voluminous 
works, and partly because of the continual increase 
by purchase or gift. 
Linne received many signs of Royal favour; 
namely, the appointment as Archiater, and the decora¬ 
tion of the Polar Star—these were mainly due to 
Tessin, but his ennoblement was a special mark of 
grace from the King. So far back as 1753, Linne 
received a gold ring with inset ruby from the Queen, 
who further delighted the Professor by asking after his 
son, and if he showed any love for natural history; 
and she promised that when he was older, he should 
travel over Europe at her expense, which greatly 
delighted the father. In 1765 he wrote to Back, that 
His Majesty had made him a splendid gift of sixteen 
big chests containing plants from South America, 
preserved in spirit, admirably preserved. 
From his youth, Linne was a Royalist, so it is not 
surprising that he dedicated his “ Species plantarum,” 
“ the fruit of my best and most of my life,” to the King 
and Queen. 
The same affection and admiration for Linne which 
were manifested by Adolf Fredrik and his Queen were 
shown also by their son Gustaf III., both as Crown 
Prince and King, but on account of Linne’s advancing 
