134 A SAD CONDITION.

to become the possessor of such a treasure. But
that prince declined to accept his overtures unless
he would accompany the collection and settle at
the Court of Florence, where he promised to give
him a cordial reception, and make his life “ easy
and agreeable.” These terms were of course de-
clined, and Swammerdam remained entirely depen-
dent on his father’s liberality, who shortly after, on
occasion of his daughter’s marriage, relinquished
housekeeping, and went to reside with her.

His biographer feelingly deplores the sad con-
dition of the hapless naturalist, now left “ to shift
for himself ;” and it seems certain that he must
have been reduced to actual want had not his
father’s death, which aimost immediately super-
vened, afforded him the prospect of a competent
provision.

This event, however, was fraught with trouble,
for it occasioned a family contest, in which, for the
sake of peace and quietness, he relinquished his
due share of the property. His health and spirits
now rapidly sank, and he fell into a deep melan-
choly, doubtless occasioned by his painful maladies.
A severe attack of his former complaints—the
quartan ague—completely prostrated his remaining
strength and confined him to his chamber, where
he refused all the advice of his medical friends,
and at length took refuge from their importwnitics