HIS FRIENDS 
297 
supplies for fodder and food, Linne being often a 
welcome guest there, but the pleasant intercourse was 
ended in 1753, the Baron dying in that year, aged 
forty-four. 
Similarity of pursuits united Linne with Charles 
De Geer, who became known by his accurate and 
sensational observations on the habits and develop¬ 
ment of insects. In 1739, when only nineteen years 
old, he became one of the first members of the 
Academy of Science, and at the age of twenty-eight 
was a corresponding member of the French Academy. 
Later, in 1750, he was appointed Court Marshal, 
gaining the title of Baron in 1773. His valuable 
museum and library at Leufsta readily tempted Linn6 
thither, and in return, De Geer, sometimes accom¬ 
panied by his wife, visited Hammarby or Uppsala. 
Nils Rosen von Rosenstein must also be reckoned 
amongst Linne’s most intimate friends. It has 
already been recorded (p. 123) that strained or cold 
relations existed between them in earlier years, but 
they eventually became good comrades, with mutual 
regard for each other’s attainments, working in 
harmony for elevating medical study in the University. 
How this close intimacy arose was related thus by 
Linne: “In May, 1764, I was attacked by a 
dangerous pleurisy, from which I was rescued by 
Rosen’s faithful services, whereafter I entertained 
an incredible friendship for him.” That this was no 
hastily kindled feeling of gratitude, as quickly cooled, 
is shown by Linne’s references in his letters to various 
friends. The year following Linne’s illness, Rosen 
being severely attacked by the so-called Uppsala 
fever, it was then the turn of Linne, who attended him 
night and day for two months with the happiest result. 
Rosen afterwards removed to Stockholm, but when 
in consequence of repeated illnesses, he presaged his 
approaching death, he came back to Uppsala, which 
he reached in a very weak state, in June, 1773. 
Thenceforward Linne was found in constant attend- 
