As in the history of most great men, a seemingly great misfortune proved to be a turning point in his career.  The position he had temporarily filled with such credit to himself and profit to the students was claimed by its regular occupant, and, despite the opposition of the faculty, Linnaeus had to relinquish it.  The two subsequent years were spent in botanical investigations under the patronage of various eminent men.  During one of these he traveled through Lapland to the shores of the Polar Sea, and the results of this expedition were embodied in his “Lapland Flora,” the first flora founded on the sexual system.  He delivered a peripatetic course of lectures, and during one of these he formed the acquaintance of Dr. Moraeus, a pupil of the great Boerhaave.  Dr. Moraeus took Linnaeus into partnership with him.  Here again a seeming misfortune proved to be a great advantage.  Linnaeus fell in love with the eldest daughter of Dr. Moraeus, but was denied her hand until he should graduate in medicine.  Linnaeus, to complete his studies as a physician, then entered the University of Harderwyk, Holland, the alma mater of his first benefactor, Dr. Rothman, and of the great Boerhaave.

After two years’ study he was graduated in medicine with high honors.  His thesis, “The Cause of Chills,” received special commendation.  He visited all the botanical gardens and other scientific institutions for which Holland was then renowned.  A learned and wealthy burgomaster, Gronovius, having read his “Systema Naturae” in manuscript, not only defrayed the cost of its publication, but secured him the high honor of an interview with the great Boerhaave—­an honor for which even the Czar Peter the Great had to beg.

Boerhaave’s interest was at once awakened, and he gave Linnaeus so strong a recommendation to Dr. Burman, of Amsterdam, that the influence of the scientific circles of the Dutch metropolis was exerted in behalf of Linnaeus, and he was soon offered the position of physician superintendent of a magnificent botanical garden owned by a millionaire horticultural enthusiast, Clifford, a director of the Dutch East India Company.  Linnaeus’ financial and scientific future was now secure.  Publication of his works was insured, and his position afforded him every opportunity for botanical research.  After five years’ residence in Holland, during which he declined several positions of trust, he determined to return to Sweden.  His fame had become so widespread in Western Europe that his system was already adopted by scientists and made the basis of lectures at the Dutch universities.  In the French metropolis he was greatly esteemed, and during a visit thereto he was a highly distinguished guest.

[Illustration:  ROSHULT, SWEDEN, BIRTHPLACE OF LINNAEUS.]