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LINNiEUS 
cellent wine. In conclusion, an extract from a letter 
of the younger Linne in July, 1778, to Back may be 
added. “ My late father never worked unless he was 
in good humour. He rose early in the morning, 
when he awoke, lit his fire, and sat down to work, but 
as soon as he felt the least tired, he left his work and 
rested while he smoked a pipe of tobacco, or else 
threw himself on his bed, for he had the knack of 
sleeping at once, and snoring; in a quarter of an hour 
he was up again, alert, and returned to his pen. This 
happened several times in the day, till about four in 
the afternoon, when he would have some society to 
clear away what had till then occupied his thoughts. 
He readily joined in a laugh with comrades or pupils 
as he c could digest a little of anything, 7 adding, ‘ It 
was well said by the old Romans, that one ought to 
have an understanding throat, such as mine, for I can 
digest anything, and I can also go without. 7 77 
Another of his peculiarities must not be passed 
by, namely, a certain amount of absent-mindedness, 
as when he visited Back, he would often leave behind 
him a sword or a nightcap, manuscript or letter, while 
taking away something belonging to his host, and 
would excuse himself in his next letter. 
His character may be summed up thus : In his 
youth he was merry and glad, in his age never surly; 
easily moved to joy, sorrow, or anger, and was soon 
placated. Not hasty in judging, he held fast to his 
opinion. He had an excellent memory till he was 
sixty, when proper names began to be forgotten; to 
learn a modern language was never his custom; he 
did not begin tasks which he did not finish; inde¬ 
fatigable in observing everything, he never went into 
or out of the garden without noting something. 
He was far from quarrelsome, would not willingly 
dissemble or deceive, hated everything that tended 
to pride, stood firm to his promise, and could not 
easily be disturbed from it. He was not inquisitive; 
he always had respect and admiration for his Creator, 
