LOU:IS AGASSIZRY
MEIMOlRtIAuLj MEETING(O)F TITHU
BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATUIBAL HIS'ORY,
JANUARY 7, 18741.








LOUIS AGASSIZ.
MEMORIAL MEETING
OF THE
BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY,
JANUARY 7, 1874.








REMARKS OF PRES. T. T. Bouvi.                   5
ADDRESS OF MR. EMERSON.             7
REMARKS OF MR. WATERSTON.                       25








REMARKS OF PRESIDENT T. T. BOUVII.
Since we last met an event has occurred that has brought
deep sorrow to our hearts, and indeed moved with grief
those of the whole community; for whilst in the death of
the great Naturalist we have lost a distinguished Honorary
Member, a pioneer in the paths we love to tread, one whose
name deservedly ranks high among the most illustrious of
those who have explored the world of matter and of life,
the great body of the community has lost one whom it has
long and justly regarded as pre-eminently the great teacher in
science, the man of all men, who inspired the love of knowledge, and who was never weary in his efforts to impart the
best he knew to every seeking soul.
Truly all alike, learned or unlearned, high in attainments
and position, or only humble seekers of truth, may well weep
the loss of him, whose presence alone was to everybody an
inspiration.
To those of us who have been in any degree sharers in
his labors, or companions in literary or scientific circles, his
loss is irreparable.
The fine physical form, the countenance ever beaming
with feeling and intelligence, the expressive utterances, and
above all, that subtle influence which came from the whole




6
being of the man, alas! that these are now only matters of
memory.
But it is not for me to dwell upon the event I have alluded to. For a fit expression of the loss sustained by the
Society, we have the privilege of looking to one whose valuable services to it in its earlier days we have not forgotten
and who was one of the first among scientific men to welcome to our shores and our companionship the great naturalist. I need not say I refer to our former President, Mr.
George B. Emerson, whom I now have the pleasure to introduce to you.




ADDRESS OF MR. EMERSON.








WHAT WE OWE TO LOUIS AGASSIZ
AS A TEACHER.
I thank yot, Mr. Piesident, for the great honor you do me
by inviting me to say something before, and in behalf of, your
Society, in commemoration of the most distinguished naturalist that has appeared among us. You know how reluctantly I
consented to speak, and I feel how inadequately I shall be able
to represent the Society. Yet I cannot but admit that there
is some apparent propriety in your request. I was one of
those who formed this Society. All the others who first met,
except one, are gone; Dr. B. D. Greene, Dr. J. Ware, F. C.
Gray and the rest. My old friend, Dr. Waiter Channing,
alone, in whose office most of the first meetings were held,
is still living. Moreover, while I was in the seat you now occupy, it was agreed by my associates that it was very proper
and desirable that a Survey of the State, Botanical and Zoological, should be made, to complete that begun by Prof.
Hitchcock in Geology. At their- request I presented to Gov.
Everett a memorial suggesting this.
Our suggestion was graciously received. Gov. Everett
brought the subject before the Legislature, in which some
friends of Natural History in the House of Representatives
had already been acting toward the same end; an appropriation was made, and he was authorized to appoint a commis



10
sion for that purpose. On that commission four members of
this Society were placed; the reports of three of whom, Dr.
Harris, Dr. Gould and Dr. Storer, have been, and still continue to be, considered of signal and permanent value, and
Mr. Agassiz himself regarded them as among the best reports ever made. It has given and still gives me the greatest satisfaction to know that the Society has been continually
going forward, and that it is now more prosperous than ever.
A little more than twenty-seven years ago, as I was sitting
in my study, a message came to me that two gentlemen de-.sired to see me. They were immediately admitted, and Dr.
Gould introduced me to Louis Agassiz. His noble presence,
the genial expression of his face, his beaming eye and
earnest, natural voice, at once gained me, and I responded
cordially to his introduction. He said, " I have come to see
you, because Dr. Gould tells me that you know the trees
of Massachusetts; I wish to be made acquainted with the
Carya. I have found the leaves and fruit of several species in
the Jura Mountains, where they were deposited when those
mountains were formed:; but, since that time, none have been
found living in Europe. I want to know them as they are
now growing."
I told him that I knew all the species found in New England, and should be glad to show them to him.  "But I
have," I -said, "presently to begin my morning's work. If
you will let me call on you immediately after dinner, I shall
be glad to take you to them."
At the time fixed, I called on him at his lodgings and took
him, in my chaise, first to Parker's Hill, where one species of
hickory grew, then through Brookline, Brighton and Cam



11
bridge, where two others were found, and to Chelsea, where
a fourth, and one that might be a variety, were growing. I
pointed out the characteristics of each species in growth,
branching, bark, fruit and leaves, and especially in the buds.
He listened with the most captivating attention, and expressed surprise at my dwelling upon the peculiarities of the
buds. "I have never known the buds to be spoken of as
characteristic," said he; "that is new to me." He admitted
the distinct peculiarities of structure in the buds; and, I have
no doubt, remembered every word I said, for, a few months
afterwards, I saw, in a newspaper, that Mr. Agassiz would
give a lecture, in Roxbury, on the buds of trees.
We drove on to Chelsea Beach, which stretches off several miles, - apparently without end, - and, as the tide was
very low, was then at least a quarter of a mile wide. He was
charmed with everything, expressing his pleasure with all the
earnestness of a happy child, hardly able to restrain himself
in his admiration and delight. He told me that he had never
before been on a sea-beach, but that he was familiar with the
undulations and wave marks on the old beaches laid open in
the Jura Mountains.
I need not say what a pleasant drive this was. I had long
felt great interest in various departments of Natural History,
but had been so fully occupied with my own duties, as a
teacher, that I had been able to indulge myself fully, and that
for a small part of the year, in one only. Here was a companion who was intimately acquainted with all, and with the
most distinguished men who had been advancing them, and
who was ready and happy to communicate wealth of information upon every point I could ask about.
Some days after, I invited all the members of this Society




12
to meet Mr. Agassiz at my house. Every one came that
could come. They conversed very freely on several subjects,
and Agassiz showed the fulness of his knowledge, and his
remarkable powers of instant observation. All seemed to
feel what a precious accession American science was to receive.
Not long afterwards, Mr. Agassiz accepted an invitation
to spend Christmas with us. We took some pains, ourselves
and our children, among whom were then two bright boys,
full of fun and frolic, one in college, and one nearly prepared
to enter. He was easily entertained, entering heartily, joyously and hilariously, into everything, games and all, as if
he were still as young as the youngest, but full of feeling,
and moved, even to tears, by some poor lines to him and his
native land.
My friends, I have thus shown you how intimate I became,
for a few weeks, with Agassiz, whom I found the wisest, the
most thoroughly well-informed and communicative, the most
warm-hearted and the most modest man of science, with
whom, personally, or by his works, I had ever become acquainted.  I did not keep up that intimate acquaintance,
both because I was too busy in my own work, and because I did
not deem myself worthy to occupy so much of his time,
consecrated, as it was, to science and the good of mankind.
The strong impression he made on me, was made on almost
all who ever listened to, or even met, him. It is not surprising then, that
The news of the death of Agassiz caused a throb of anguish in millions of hearts. Such a death is a loss to mankind. What death among kings or princes in the Old World,




13
or among the aspirants for power, or the possessors of wealth,
in the New, could produce such deep-felt regret?
He is gone. We shall see his benignant face and hear his
winning voice no more; but we have before us his example,
and his works. Let us dwell, for a few moments, on some
features in his life and character, as an inspiration and a guide,
especially to those who mean to devote their leisure, or their
life, to Natural History, or to the great work of teaching!
What a change has taken place, in the whole civilized world,
and especially in this country, in men's estimation of the value
and interest of these pursuits, since he began his studies.
To whom is that change more due than to Agassiz?
He was endowed by nature with extraordinary gifts. His
fascinating eye, his genial smile, his kindliness and ready
sympathy, his generous earnestness, his simplicity and absence of pretention- his transparent sincerity; —these account
for his natural eloquence and persuasiveness of speech, his'influence as a man, and his attraction and power as a teacher.
For the development and perfecting of many of his highest
and most estimable qualities of mind and character, Mr.
Agassiz was doubtless indebted to his noble mother, who,
judging from every thing we can learn, was a very rare
and remarkable woman. To the quiet, homely, household
duties, for which the Swiss women are distinguished, she
added, unconsciously, very uncommon mental endowments,
which she wisely cultivated by extensive reading of the best
authors, and by conversation with the most intelligent persons.
Trained by such a mother, Agassiz grew up in the belief
of a Creator, an infinite and all-wise Intelligence, Author
and Governor of all things. He was sincerely and humbly
religious. During his whole life, while exploring every secret




14
of animal structure, he saw such wonderful consistency in
every part, that he never for a moment doubted that all were
parts of one vast plan, the work of one infinite, all-comprehending Thinker. He saw no place for accident, none for
blind, unthinking, brute or vegetable selection. Though he
was a man of the rarest intellect, he was never ashamed- to
look upwards and recognize an infinitely higher and more
comprehensive Intellect above him.
In his earliest years and through childhood, he was surrounded by animals, - fishes, birds and other creatures, —
which he delighted to study, and with whose habits and
forms he thus became perfectly familiar. His education, in
all respects, was very generous and thorough.  He spent his
early years in some of the most distinguished schools and
colleges in Germany; and he had the good fortune to be
made early a student of the two great languages of ancient
times. He became familiar, by reading them in their native
Greek, with the high thought and reasoned truth and graceful style of Plato, and the accurate observations and descriptions of Aristotle, the nicest observer of ancient times, and
justly considered the father of natural history. Probably no
work has been more suggestive to him than Aristotle's History
of Animals; and probably his own breadth of conception and
largeness of thought, upon the highest subjects, were due, in
no inconsiderable degree, to his early familiarity with Plato.
He also read some of the best Latin authors, and wrote the
language with great ease.
No one who, early, has the time and opportunity, and who
desires to become a thorough naturalist, or a thinker on any
subject, should neglect the study of these two languages.
From them we borrow nearly all the peculiar terms of nat



15
ural science, and find the originals of almost all the words
which we use in speaking on ethical, metaphysical, aesthetical
and political subjects, and no one can be sure that he perfectly understands any of these words unless he knows themta
in their original language.
I dwell upon this subject, because I believe that the early
study of language, especially of the ancient languages, is far
too much undervalued.  We use language, not only in our
communication with others, but in our own thoughts.  On
all subjects of science, or whatever requires accurate thought,
we think in words, and we cannot think, even within ourselves, upon any subject, without knowing the words to express our thoughts.   He who is most fully and familiarly
acquainted with the richest language and the thoughts that
have been expressed by it, has the power of becoming not
only a good thinker but an eloquent speaker.  No greater
mistake can be made, in the early education of the future
naturalist, than the neglect to give him a full and familiar
acquaintance with the words by which thought can be carried on or communicated.*
Agassiz's mother-tongue was French, but both this and
German were in common use in the Pays de Vaud. He
lived, for years afterwards, in several parts of Germany, and
thus attained, without special study, the rich language which
* It is a matter of the greatest satisfaction that the only true mode of learning
language, the natural one, by word of mouth from living teachers, is becoming
common; the language itself first, and afterwards the philosophy of it-the rules.
It is most desirable that this mode of learning the ancient languages should be in.
troduced, to learn first the language, to read and understand it, and afterwards the
rules. Indeed I would not recommend the study even of Greek, if most or much
of the time given to it had to be thrown away upon the grammar. The true mode,
Agassiz' mode, of teaching on all subjects, is becoming more and more common.




16
we Americans have to give so much time to acquire; and he
lived, long, a studious and laborious life in Paris, where he
became intimately acquainted with Cuvier and other distinguished naturalists, and perfectly familiar with the French
language in its best form.  More than once, when he was
putting his note-book into his pocket, he told me he knew
not whether he had made his notes in German or in French.
Agassiz's universality of study and thought suggest a precious lesson. It is never safe to give one's self entirely to one
study or to one course of thiught. The full powers of the
mind cannot so be developed. Nature is infinite; and a small
part of one kingdom  cannot be understood, however carefully studied, without some knowledge of the rest.
Neither must a man allow himself to be a mere naturalist.
Every man ought to seek to form for himself, for his own happiness and enjoyment, the highest character for intelligence,
and for just and generous feeling, of which he is capable.
He is not a mere student of a department of nature. He
is a man; he must make himself a wise, generous and wellinformed man, able to sympathise with all that is most beautiful in nature and art, and best in society. It would be a
poor, dull world, if all men of talent were to educate themselves to be mere artisans, mere politicians, or mere naturalists.
Agassiz took a large, comprehensive view of the whole
field of natural history; his thorough education and intimate
acquaintance with the works of the highest men in several
walks, Von Martius, Cuvier, Humboldt, and others, made it
possible for him to do it, and he then fixed on certain departments, and, for the time, he gave himself entirely to one.




17
As a;future inhabitant of America, it was fortunate for him
to have been born, and to have grown up, in one of the free
cantons of Switzerland.  He was thus accustomed to treat
men as equals; and thus his:perfect familiarity and his freedom fiom all assumption were as natural to him as they
were graceful and winning..  He looked down upon none,
but felt a sympathy with every thing, best in every heart.
The reality of these great human qualities gave a natural
dignity which his hearty and ready laugh  could never
diminish. Every one was drawn toward him by what was
best in himself. With the greatest gentleness he united a
strong will, and with a resolute earnestness, untiring patience.
His great object was truth, and,-as he never had any doubt
that it was truth, he: mnay have been - impatient, but he never
felt really angry with those who opposed it.
Mr. Agassiz had, for several years, the great advantage and
privilege of being an assistant, in the description and delineation of fishes firom Brazil, to Von Martius, the genial and eloquent old man of Munich.  In him he had the example of a
man, who, with great resources as a naturalist, had, for many
years, given himself, in. a foreign country, to the study of a
single department of Botany, without, however, shutting his
eyes to any thing that was new and remarkable in any page
of Natural History. To one who was a good listener and
never forgot what he heard, what a preparation must this
have been for his own expedition, many years after, to the
sources of the Amazon, to which he was invited by the Emperor of Brazil, in which he was assisted by the princely aid
of his own friends, and from which he brought home a greater
number of new species of fresh water fishes than were ever
before discovered by one.individual, thus carrying forward
2




18
that work upon the fishes of Brazil, his first work, which he
had published when he was twenty-two years old.
He spent the leisure of several years in examining the reefs
and dredging in the waters of the coast of Florida and other
parts, always bringing home stores of new species and genera,
and completing the history of innumerable known ones.
What a preparation were these years for the great Hasler expedition, in which the depths of the ocean were very fully
explored, and innumerable objects, new and old, were brought
-up, showing that the bottom of the ocean is any thing but
barren, and throwing new light upon the geology of recent
and of ancient times.
Whenever Mr. Agassiz undertook a special work, he prepared himself for it by a careful study of whatever had been
done in that particular line by all others. He had seen, everywhere, indications of the action of ice. He determined to
investigate. He began by reading all he could find upon the
subject, and then set himself to observe, patiently and carefully, what was taking place tin the glaciers themselves. He
gave the leisure of several years to this examination, and
-then felt himself ready to observe the effects of similar action in former ages and distant regions. The opinions of
such an observer, after such a preparation, cannot be without
authority and value; and it is not surprising that he should
not himself have been willing to yield them to those of
others who had never given the same study to the subject.
When he wrote his wonderfully complete work upon the
American Testudinata, he began by studying whatever had
been written in regard to that family of animals, and he furnished himself, by the liberal aid of many friends, with immense numbers of specimens, so that he had ample means of




19
satisfying himself in regard to almost every question that
could be asked, as to structure or habits.*  Such a work will
not need to be done over again for many years.  It can never
be entirely superseded except by a work showing greater diligence, greater fidelity and better powers of nice observation
and faithful description.
Let no one who has not carefully examined this, and his
other papers in the " Contributions to the Natural History of
the United States," venture to speak of his incompleteness.
His example as a teacher has been of inestimable value, as
showing the importance of the best and largest possible
preparation, teaching by things really existing and not by
books, opening the eye to the richness and beauty of nature,
showing that there is no spot, from the barren sea-beach to
the top of the mountain, which does not present objects attr'active to the youngest beginner, and worthy of, and rewarding, the careful consideration of the highest intellect.
The town of Neufchatel, near which Mr. Agassiz was born,
and particularly the hills behind it, give fine views of natural
scenery. From a hill, not two miles from his former home,
I had a view  of the lake and the plains and mountains beyond, which I now recall as one of the widest, most varied
and most exquisite, I have ever seen. Agassiz thus grew up
to a love of the beautiful.
This love of the beautiful in nature has been increasing
from the most ancient times to the present. It is more generally felt and more fully enjoyed now than ever before, and in
* In speaking of the thorough execution of the works in the four volumes, we
ought not to forget the aid he received from the exquisite skill in drawing and
engraving of Sourel, who wore out his eyes in the work, and of Burckhardt and
Clark.




20
this country, apparently, more than in any other. More persons leave the cities, as soon as they begin to grow warm and
dusty, to enjoy the country or the seaside, the mountains or
the lakes; and they enjoy rationally and heartily. Who has
done more than Agassiz to increase: this enjoyment? With
thousands, it is becoming not merely the enjoyment but the
study of the beautiful. Collections of shells, curious animlals,
minerals, sea-weeds, and flowers, are becoming, like libraries,
not only sources of pleasure to the eye, but of delightful
study, whereby a nearer approach is made to the very fountain of enjoyment; we not only see and feel, we begin to understand. The more we see of the uses, of the wonders, of
the structure, the more profound is our enjoyment?  Who
has done more than Agassiz to awaken this enjoyment?
In 1855, with the aid of Mrs. Agassiz, who, from the beginning, did a great deal of the work, Mr. Agassiz opened a
school for young ladies. For this he was, in all respects,
admirably well qualified. The charml of his manner, his perfect simplicity, sincerity and warm-heartedness, attracted
every pupil, and won -her respect, love and admiration. He
knew, almost instinctively, what we teachers have to learn by
degrees, that we cannot really attract, control and lead a
child, and help to form his habits and character, without first
loving him; that nothing in the world is so powerful as real,
disinterested affection.  He gave, himself, by lectures most
carefully prepared, an hour's instruction, real instruction,
every day. All his pupils retain their respect and love for
him, and some keep the notes they made of his talks, and
read them with delight. The school was continued for seven
years, with great success, attracting pupils fiom distant parts
of the country.




21
One of the secrets of his success as a teacher was, that he
brought in nature to teach for him. The young ladies of a
large school were amrrnsed att his simplicity inl putting a grass.
hopper into the hand of each, as he came into the hall; but
they were filled with surprise and delight, as he explained the
structure of the insect before them, and a sigh of disappointment escaped fiom most of them when the lesson, of more
than an hour, closed. He had opened their eyes to see the
beauty of the: wonderful make of one of the least of God's
creatures. What a lesson was this to young women preparing to'be teachers in the public schools of the Commonwealth,
showing that in every field might be found: objects to:excite,
and, well explained, to answer, the  questions, what? and
how? and why? which children will always -be asking.
-lHe had all the elements necessary to an eloquent teacher:
voice, look and manner, that instantly attracted attention;
an inexhaustible flow of language, always expressive of rich
thoughts, strong common sense, a thorough knowledge of all
the subjects on which he desired to speak, a sympathy with
others so strong that it became magnetic, and a feeling of the
value of what he had to say, which became and created enthusiasm. He thus held the attention of his: audience, not
only instructing and persuading them, but converting them
into interested and adtniring fellow students.
His mode of teaching, especially in his ready use of the
chalk and the blackboard, was a precious lesson to teachers.
He appealed at once to the eye and to the ear, thus naturally
fobrming the habit of; attention, which it is so difficult to form
by the study of books. Whoever learns this lesson will soon
find that it is the teacher's part to do the study, to get complete possession of -what is to be taught, in any subject, and




22
how it is to be presented, while it is the part of the pupils
to listen attentively and to remember. This they will easily
do, and, to show that they do remember, they may be easily
led, to give an account, in writing, of what they have heard.
Every lesson will thus be not only an exercise of attention
and memory, but a lesson in the English language, proper instruction in which is very much needed and very much
neglected. Whenever a pupil does not fully understand, the
teacher will have the opportunity, while he is at the blackboard, of enlarging and making more intelligible.
Wherever the teacher shall be successful in adopting this
true and natural mode of teaching, the poor text-books which
now infest the country will be discontinued, and those who
now keep school will become real teachers; school keeping
will be turned into teaching. When this method is fairly introducedl, we shall hear no more of long, hard lessons at
home, nor of pupils from good schools who have not learned
to write English.
The advent of Agnassiz is to be considered a most important event in the Natural History of the country. The example of his character, his disinterestedness, his consecration
to science, his readiness to oblige even the humblest and most
modest, his superiority to self-interest, his sincerity and absence of all pretention, his enthusiasm in all that is noble -
all these recommended not only him, but the science he professed. Never was a life more richly filled with study, work,
thought; and all was consecrated, not to the benefit of himself, but to the promotion of science for the good of his fellow
creatures.
For many years Mr. Agassiz has seemed to live only for
the advancement of natural history, by the building up of




23
his Museum, for which he had collected materials, of the
greatest possible diversity, which would, properly cared for
and arranged, form a Museum superior in numbers and variety to any similar collection in the world. Shall this great
work be allowed to fail?
Let every person who honors the memory of Agassiz, say
No! Let every one who regrets that the great main support
of the noble strqcture is taken away, resolve that it shall not
fail, BUT that, so far as depends on him and what he can do,
IT SHALL GO ON AND BE BUILT AND FILLED, AND STAND
FIRM, A GLORIOUS TEMPLE OF SCIENCE FOREVER.








REMARKS OF MR. WATERSTON.








AGASSIZ AND THE HUMBOLDT CELEBRATION.
In response to an invitation fiom the chair, the Rev. Mr
R. C. Waterston spoke of Prof. Agassiz's connection with
the Centennial Anniversary of the birth of Humboldt.
At a meeting of the Boston Society of Natural History,
June, 1869, it was moved and voted that a celebration of the
Centennial Anniversary of the birth of Alexander von Humboldt, by this Society, is highly desirable. It was also suggested that Professor Agassiz be invited to deliver an address upon the occasion. The invitation was extended to
Professor Agassiz and accepted.+   Various circumstances
connected with that memorable occasion, at a time like
the present, come to the mind with peculiar power.
In Professor Agassiz's public address, his introductory remarks were, "I am invited to an unwonted task.  Thus far I
have appeared before the public only as a teacher of Natural
History. To-day, for the first time in my life, I leave a field
* The Committee appointed at the meeting in June, to make all desirable arrangements, were, R. C. Waterston, Jeffries Wyman, NT. B. Shurtleff, Samuel
Kneeland and Samuel H. Scudder. To this Committee was afterwards added T. W.
Higginson.




28
in which I am at home, to take upon myself the duties of a
biographer."
Thus this Society had the privilege of inviting Professor
Agassiz to a duty (most nobly fulfilled), which without this
invitation in all probability he would never have entered
upon. That being, as he himself expressed it, the first time in
his life he had undertaken such a task; it was also, as we
now know, destined to be the. last.  This event Jwhich, on
every account, had great interest, for these reasons possesses
a solemn and sacred import. That anniversary we would
keep in grateful remembrance, forming as it does, in connection with many reminiscences, an added and, may we not
say, an indissoluble tie between us and him.
At the time when the invitation was extended to Prof.
Agassiz, he was overwhelmed with work; while, by previous
labor, both body and minds had already been- overtaxed.
Under such circumstances, it would have appeared:next: to
impossiblefor him to comply with the request of the Society,
yet so desirous was he to meet. their wishes that he undertook the task.
On the- 8th of June Mrs. Agassiz wrote: —
"Though your letter touched and gratified me deeply, it
made me very anxious, too. I could almost have wished the
occasion had not arisen, for it alarms me to' see the way in
which work accumulates upon' Mr. Agassiz, whose':health is
no longer so good as it used to be.
"It seems- as if it would be easy for him to talk of Humboldt, and so, out of the fulness of his heart, it would; but
on such an occasion, the address must include a very careful
review of all the facts of his life, of his relation to science
through three-quarters of a: century; it: must be accurate
as well as comprehensive, and even Humboldt's most intimate




29
friend could not prepare it without a good deal of care and
research. I do not say this because I would dissuade Mlr.
Agassiz from it; on the contrary, it seems to me a duty,
which, since it arises, he cannot avoid; and I think he fully
intends to undertake it, though not without many fears lest
he should not rise to the grandeurx of the occasion.
"Mr. Agassiz begs me to say that he has the greatest desire
to further the project to the utmost of his power, and only
fears, as I have said, to fall short of his own wishes, and the
expectations of those who are willing to entrust him with
such a responsibility."
On the 3d of July Prof. Agassiz wrote as follows: —
"For weeks past I have intended every day to write you,
but the fact is that just now I have scarcely time to breathe,
and with the sincere desire of accepting the invitation tendered to me through you, I have been trying to free myself
in some degree of the tasks before nme. It is not so easy to
do this as it seems.
" However, I write now to say that I will do my best so far
as it depends upon me, to make the Anniversary of Humboldt worthy of his memory, and servicable to science in the
country. The task will be a difficult, and in some respects a
painful,.one to me, none the less because of my personal relations with him. But I will do my best, and I beg you to
believe that the confidence -placed in me by those who wish
to make this occasion a marked clay, has gratified and touched
me deeply.
" I wish you would express this sentiment in my behalf, and
add that my great cause of hesitation has been the fear that
I might not satisfy the expectations of those who have thus
honored me.             Believe me,
"Ever truly yours,
"LouIs AGASSIZ."




30
In a note dated July 21st, he says,
" I have been completely prostrated this week."
Yet notwithstanding this exhaustion (doubtless far beyond
what was imagined by his most intimate fiiends, and, added
to this, serious illness among the members of his own family,
his son leaving for Europe, on account of his health, the
very day upon which the address was delivered), Professor
Agassiz most conscientiously devoted himself through the
sultriness of an intensely hot mid-summer, to the worlk of
preparation. Few are probably aware what a mind like his
would, under such circumstances, consider requisite. Nothing was to be taken for granted; not even the memory of
former investigations would be accepted without passing
through the process of examination. Every step was to be
measured, with critical exactness, through the long progress
of Humboldt's scientific career.
Is there not exemplified in this fact, one of the marked
characteristics of Prof. Agassiz's mind? Absolute thoroughness; sifting every question and principle down to its first
elements; tracing  every thought, from  its earliest germ
through each successive development, until the final result is
reached.
In order to secure freedom fiom all interruption during
these researches, he asked for a room at the City Library,
which was readily granted. Here he could gather about him
papers and books, which during his absence would remain
undisturbed. Mr. Winsor, the efficient and obliging Superintendent, tells me that for more than a month Prof. Agassiz
passed at least three or four days of each week, from nine
o'clock in the morning until generally three o'clock in the




31
afternoon, and that during this time he called for more than
two hundred volumes in different languages, always desiring
to read each work as it originally came firom the mind of the
author. Thus every work which Alexander von Humboldt
ever wrote passed under careful review; not only every volume, but every pamphlet, with the exception of one, which
could not be found in this country.
On the 4th of September he wrote me,
"I have only yesterday finished gathering my materials,
and have not yet begun preparing my address."
He adds-" My friends will never know what anxieties I
have to go through on this occasion."
Six days after this I received the following: —
"Nahchant, Sept. 10th, 1869.
"MY DEAR SIR:
"I have succeeded this evening in bringing to a close my
draft of an address; not exactly as I would like to deliver it
but such as I may be compelled to read should the occurrences of the day unfit me for an extemporized discourse,
which I believe might be more effective."
It would thus appear that even after the address was
written, he hoped to give, not what he had embodied in
manuscript, but the result of which that would be the basis,
in the form of an extemporized discourse, for which, as all
know fiom his constant habit of speaking without notes, he
possessed the very highest qualifications.
However, to meet every contingency, he adds:"As I go to-morrow to Cambridge, I will try to have my
illegible manuscript set in type, that I may myself be able to
read it. At the same time I shall see how my diagrams are




32
progressing, and if satisfactory, forward thenm at once to the
Music Hall.                  Very truly yours,
L. AGASSIZ."
On the 13th of September he wrote:"DEAR SIR:"I hope I may have a proof of my address for your reporters by the time I reach Boston to-morrow, which I shall
hand to you. nMy diagrams went to the Music Hall Saturday
afternoon, with the palm-branch worn on Humboldt's funeral.
"The -pen taken fiom his desk the day he died, and sent to
me, I shall bring myself; fearing it might be lost if left with
bulkier objects.              Very truly yours,
L. AGASSIZ."
Such were some of the preparatory labors connected with
the address which was to be heard on that Centennial Anniversary by literary and scientific men in every part of the
country. Seldom has there been an occasion in the history
of New England, which has brought together so brilliant an
assemblage of able scholars and prominent men in every
department of thought.
At the evening reception, Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson, in
speaking of what he termed the' delightful address in praise
of Humrboldt," concentrated his estimate in this characteristic declaration, " our eminent professor never delivered a
discourse more wise, more happy, or of more varied power."
These words expressed the universal feeling.  And the
address, so cordially welcomed by those who heard it, was
received'when published with equal:favor on both sides of
the Atlantic.
This very day, I was reading a letter by Sir John Herschel expressing his commendation; and in the Life of Alex



33
ander von Humboldt, edited by Professor Karl Bruhns,
director of the observatory at Leipzig, the address by Agassiz
is referred to, both in the preface, and in the body of the
book. In the latter, a lengthy extract is introduced. [See
Vol. II, pp. 179, 180 and 181.]
There were several occasions upon which Alexander von
Humboldt extended such attention and kindness to Agassiz,
at a time when encouragement was most needed, that it
seems but an act of justice and gratitude to recall them here.
The first was related by Agassiz some fifteen years ago, at a
meeting of the American Academy of Art and Science, soon
after Humboldt's death.
"May I be permitted," he said " to tell a circumstance personal to me? I was only twenty-four years of age when in
Paris, whither I had gone with means given me by a friend,
but I was at last about to resign my studies from want of'
ability to meet my expenses.  Professor Mitscherlich was
then on a visit in Paris, and I had seen him in the morning,
when he had asked me what was the cause of my depressed
feelings, and I told him I had to go, for I had nothing left.
The next morning as I was seated at breakfast, in front of
the yard of the Hotel, where I lived, I saw the servant of
Humboldt approach, he handed me a note, saying there was
no answer and disappeared. I opened the note, and I see it
now as distinctly as if I held the paper in my hand. It said:'MY FRIEND:'I hear that you intend leaving Paris in consequence of
some embarrassments.  This shall not be. I wish you to
remain here as long as the object for which you came is not
accomplished. I enclose you a check of ~50. It is a loan
which you may repay when you can."'
3




34
That one act of Humboldt, at the turning point in the life
of Agassiz, may have affected the whole course of his after
career. If Sir Humphrey Davy could say "My best discovery was Michael Faraday," - what shall we say of this discriminating instance of generous encouragement, which perhaps gave to us Agassiz as a man of science.
In the address upon Humboldt, Agassiz speaks of his
studies at Munich, whose University had opened under the
most brilliant auspices, and where nearly every professor
was prominent in some department of science or literature.
" These men," he says, " were not only our teachers but our
fiiends. We were the companions of their walks and often
present at their discussions."  "My room," he adds, "was
our meeting-place, bed-room, study, museum, library, lectureroom, fencing-room, all in one. Students and professors used
to call it the little Academy."
It was at this time that Humboldt was preparing for his
Asiatic journey. Agassiz was anxious to accompany him,
and asked that he might join the expedition as an assistant.
This was the beginning of his personal acquaintanceship
with Humboldt.
A  graphic picture is presented of the student's life in
Paris, in the days of Louis Philippe, when Cuvier, just the
age of Humboldt himself, was active and ardent in research,
his salon frequented by statesmen, scholars and artists.
Cuvier was then giving a course of lectures, in the College
of France, on the History of Science.  "Humboldt," says
Agassiz, "attended these lectures regularly; I had frequently
the pleasure of sitting by his side, and being the recipient
of his passing criticism."  At this period, Humboldt had
his working-room at the Rue de la Harpe. "There," con



35
tinues Agassiz, "it was my privilege to visit him frequently.
There he gave me leave to come, to talk with him about my
work, and consult him in my difficulties."
At this time Agassiz was twenty-four years of age, and
Humboldt sixty-two.
"I had recently," says Agassiz, "' taken my degree as Docter of Medicine, and was stru.ggling, not only for a scientific
position, but for the means of existence also.  I have said
that he gave me permission to come as often as I pleased to
his room, opening to me freely the inestimable advantages
which intercourse with such a man gave to a young investigator like myself. But he did far more than this, occupied
and sulrounded as he was, he sought me out in my lodging."
Here he gives a most interesting account of a visit from
Humboldt, at Agassiz's narrow quarters, in the Hotel du
Jardin des Plantes. After which is an invitation from Humboldt, to meet him at the Palais Royal — where they dine,"a rare indulgence," says Agassiz, "for a young man, who
could allow himself few luxuries." "Here" he adds "for three
hours, which passed like a dream, I had him all to myself.
How he examined me, and how much I learned in that short
time! How to work, what to do, and what to avoid; how to
live, how to distribute my time; what methods of study to
pursue; these were the things of which he talked to me, on
that delightful evening."
When we reflect upon the extended reputation acquired
by Agassiz before he left Europe; of that visit to this country which led him gladly to adopt it as his home, and of the
untiring zeal with which he devoted to it the best years of
his life; shall we not hold in grateful remembrance the man




36
who gave  to him, at the most critical moment, the cordial
hand of friendship, and who by his cheering words, inspired
fresh ardor, and a hope which no aftel trial could extinguish?
It is more than a pleasant picture, it is a lesson for all time,
and should awaken, through generations, the desire generously to encourage and wisely to aid.
THE HUMBOLDT SCHOLARSHIP.
It was in this spirit that a "Humboldt- Scholarship " became associated with the Humboldt Anniversary.  Through
personal solicitation on the part of the committee the sum of
Seven Thousand dollars was subscribed to form a permanent
fund, the income of which, under the direction of the Faculty, was to be solely applied to the aid of young and needy
students, while pursuing their preparatory studies at the Museum of Comparative ZoOlogy, in Cambridge. The founding of this scholarship * was the voluntary proposition of this
Society as a token of sympathy and hearty good-will.
*The amount of the Fund of the Humboldt Scholarship, reported by the Treasurer (Mr. Theodore Lyman), in January of the present year, was $8,504.43.
The following note will illustrate the manner in which this scholarship is made
practically useful to the individual, while at the same time it adds in the advancement of science.
"At a meeting of the Faculty of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, held
May 6th, 1871:
"The Humboldt Scholarship was awarded to J. A. Allen-in consideration of his
paper upon the Mammals and Winter Birds of East Florida, and the proceeds of
the Humboldt Fund -for one year, and granted to him in aid of his Exploration
of the Fauna of the Rocky Mountains."
In a recent communication Mr. Lyman says:" The fund is just what we need, and its value must always be of the first order."




37
The gratification of Professor Agassiz was at once expressed. In a note written July 3d, he says:
"Your proposition to connect a scholarship with the Museum of Comparative Zoology, in commemoration of this
occasion, has had great weight with me. I believe that such
an arrangement will not only be an ever-returning memento
of the solemnities of this 14th of September, but, if properly
conducted, will contribute to the real advancement of Natural History among us."
The origin of this scholarship was by some misapprehended. It was supposed to have been suggested, directly
or indirectly, by Professor Agassiz. This is an entire mistake. No one could feel more sensitive than he himself
did upon this subject. His feelings are frankly expressed
in a note which I received from him, after he had read a
paragraph in the daily papers, referring this movement to
him.
" MY DEAR SIR:" In a paper to-day, giving an account of the proposed celebration,'a plan' is alluded to' of Mr. Agassiz for founding a
Humboldt Scholarship in the institution of which he is the
head.'
"This is no doubt a simple error of the press, but I should
be very sorry to have it stand. It would have been very ungracious in me, and would have shown, to say the least, a
great want of delicacy, had I suggested an endowment for
the Museum in which I am personally interested. It was,
as you know, a proposition made spontaneously without any
reference to me. And though I rejoice in it and feel doubly
unwilling, on account of this offer, to shrink from the responsibility connected with the invitation of your committee, yet
the suggestion coming from me, under the circumstances, instead of being appropriate, would be wholly unbecoming.




38
You will excuse me for troubling you about this, but I am
sure you will see that it places me in an awkward position."
If in any mind there should exist even the shadow of a
misapprehension upon this subject, these words will serve to
explain fully both the feelings of Prof. Agassiz and the exact
facts of the case.
At the close of his public address of the 14th of September, he says:
"I have appeared before you as the representative of the
Boston Natural History Society. It was their proposition to
celebrate this memorable anniversary.  I feel grateful for
their invitation, for the, honor they have done me. I feel still
more grateful for the generous impulse which has prompted
them to connect a Humboldt Scholarship, as a memorial of
this occasion, with the Museum of Comparative Zol1ogy at
Cambridge."
Thus, Mr. President and gentlemen, while we cannot but
deeply mourn the vast loss which this community and the
whole country has sustained by this bereavement, we rejoice
in that friendly relationship which so long existed between
us, and are thankful that one of the last great public utterances of his life was given under the auspices of this
Society.
And now that his life, so beneficently crowded with activity and usefulness, has closed to us in this sphere of being, we
are grateful that our mutual efforts established what will not
only be a perpetual bond of union between this Society and
the institution of which he was the honored head, but which,
we trust, through successive years, may prove a source of
practical help and encouragement to nunlberless students, who,




39
by their future efforts, may extend the boundaries of knowledge, thus aiding in the work of human progress, while they
carry forward to yet further completion, those. investigations
and discoveries which, in our own day, have given immortality to the names of Humboldt and of Agassiz.