342 
LINNAEUS 
the mouthpiece of the nation, when from the throne 
in the Estates in October, 1778, he specially referred 
to Linne with the words: “ I have lost a man who 
did honour to his fatherland as a worthy citizen, being 
celebrated all over the world. Long will Uppsala 
recall the reputation which Linne’s name conferred 
upon it.” Nine years later, on the 17th August, 1787* 
he laid in the new botanic garden, given by the 
University, the foundation stone of the building of the 
institution, which he declared should be erected to 
honour Linne’s memory. The King marked out the 
place where afterwards a marble statue by J. N. 
Bystrom was erected in 1822, by the students. But 
what did the Consistory do to express their feel¬ 
ings of gratitude and respect to their departed 
colleague? There was no talk about any “ Parenta- 
tion ” which had often been held at the deaths of other 
eminent professors, till March, 1779, when the question 
was raised in the medical faculty. Meanwhile a 
Memorial Oration had taken place in the Academy of 
Science, and it was stated that the public would think 
it strange if the University gave one after that. For 
this reason the faculty decided that the best memorial 
would be a marble bust, but ultimately nothing was 
done. 
After the funeral came the usual business of making 
an inventory, bestowing the bequests and the like. It 
may briefly be said that though no great wealth was 
willed by Linne some family bickering ensued. Thus 
Captain Bergencrantz, who married his eldest 
daughter, threatened legal process, and demanded that 
his wife, from whom he had lived apart for many years, 
should, against her will, be compelled to resume 
cohabitation with him. Upon this the widow of Linne 
petitioned the King, that as her late husband had left 
but little wealth, she and her unprovided-for children 
might receive an emeritus professor’s salary and an 
annual pension; and as this petition was supported by 
the Chancellor and Consistory, the King decreed that 
