HOME LIFE 
313 
so jolly and free that Linne, who did not entirely lack 
suspicion, evinced a certain degree of jealousy. That 
this feeling was not justified and soon passed away, is 
shown by a friendly letter to the suspected young man, 
who continued to be a frequent guest in his house. 
As years passed on, Madame Sara Lisa became 
an altogether prosaic, but able house-mother. The 
education which she received in her parents’ house was 
without doubt scanty; and though at this time all 
ladies’ letters, even in the highest circles, showed little 
ability in the use of their mother tongue, Linne’s wife 
displayed her entire ignorance of spelling and syntax 
of Swedish usage. Hence arose dislike for more 
intellectual employments and a liking for dissipation. 
It was truly a sacrifice when she, on Linne’s earnest 
invitation to Back to pay them a visit at Uppsala, 
promised her husband she would refrain from all 
pursuits during the visit likely to displease him. Card¬ 
playing was excepted, but afterwards, when Back 
returned an evasive answer, she declared herself ready 
to give up even cards, “ if only my Brother will come.” 
Even if she could not, nor even tried in the 
slightest degree to interest herself in her husband’s 
views and occupations, she was an industrious, strong, 
able and domineering house-mother, and a useful 
manager when the increasing family demanded more 
outlay and expense. In the house there was shown a 
liberal hospitality, especially during the two great 
events in academic life, at each promotion (granting 
degrees), the house being crowded with guests, who 
did not make short visits, but stayed for many days. 
The food was certainly simple, but it was good and 
abundant, both for the family and the servants. 
Furniture, as the years progressed, became handsomer, 
and to judge from what has come down to the present 
day, the Linnean household bore the stamp of elegance 
and comfort, though in some degree it was simple and 
unpretentious. Clothes for everyday use were plain 
^enough, but the girls also had silk dresses, silk stock- 
