Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Entomology.djvu/48

These opinions Swammerdam appears to have adopted in their utmost extent, and their effect on his melancholic temperament was such as to produce a completely morbid state of mind. The studies in which he had taken greatest delight, now began to appear odious to him. It was with the utmost difficulty that he could allow himself to finish his favourite work on Bees, and no sooner was it completed than he put it into the hands of another, without giving himself the least concern what might become of it. His inclination urged him strongly to continue his pursuits, but he now thought them incompatible with his duty to the Creator, as he alone, and not his creatures, was worthy of engrossing all his love and regard. All worldly interests, accordingly, were soon despised and abandoned, and he devoted himself wholly to the performance of the duties of religion, according to the erroneous notion he had formed of them. Every step he took was by the advice and authority of Antonia Bourignon, and she took care not to endanger the influence she had acquired over him, by allowing him to resume his former occupations, or engage in the ordinary business of life. His condition was rendered more deplorable and hopeless, by a return of his former complaint, quartan ague, in greater severity than ever, occasioning such a prostration both of mental and bodily powers that he was for a time unfit for any kind of exertion. He now resolved to withdraw entirely from the world, and spend the remainder of his days in solitary meditation. Before taking this