Louis Agassiz: His Life and Correspondence

CHAPTER 1.. 1807-1827: to Age 20.

1807-1827: TO AGE 20.

Birthplace.--Influence of his Mother.--Early Love of Natural History.--Boyish Occupations.--Domestic Education.--First School. --Vacations.--Commercial Life renounced.--College of Lausanne. --Choice of Profession.--Medical School of Zurich.--Life and Studies there.--University of Heidelberg.--Studies interrupted by Illness.--Return to Switzerland.--Occupations during Convalescence.

CHAPTER 2.. 1827-1828: Age 20-21.

1827-1828: AGE 20-21.

Arrival in Munich.--Lectures.--Relations with the Professors. --Schelling, Martius, Oken, Dollinger.--Relations with Fellow-Students.--The Little Academy.--Plans for Traveling.--Advice from his Parents.--Vacation Journey.--Tri-Centennial Durer Festival at Nuremberg.

CHAPTER 3.. 1828-1829: Age 21-22.

1828-1829: AGE 21-22.

First Important Work in Natural History.--Spix's Brazilian Fishes. --Second Vacation Trip.--Sketch of Work during University Year. --Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Dinkel.--Home Letters.--Hope of joining Humboldt's Asiatic Expedition.--Diploma of Philosophy. --Completion of First Part of the Spix Fishes.--Letter concerning it from Cuvier.

CHAPTER 4.. 1829-1830: Age 22-23.

1829-1830: AGE 22-23.

Scientific Meeting at Heidelberg.--Visit at Home.--Illness and Death of his Grandfather.--Return to Munich.--Plans for Future Scientific Publications.--Takes his Degree of Medicine.--Visit to Vienna.--Return to Munich.--Home Letters.--Last Days at Munich. --Autobiographical Review of School and University Life.

CHAPTER 5.. 1830-1832: Age 23-25.

1830-1832: AGE 23-25.

Year at Home.--Leaves Home for Paris.--Delays on the Road. --Cholera.--Arrival in Paris.--First Visit to Cuvier.--Cuvier's Kindness.--His Death.--Poverty in Paris.--Home Letters concerning Embarrassments and about his Work.--Singular Dream.

CHAPTER 6.. 1832: Age 25.

1832: AGE 25.

Unexpected Relief from Difficulties.--Correspondence with Humboldt. --Excursion to the Coast of Normandy.--First Sight of the Sea. --Correspondence concerning Professorship at Neuchatel.--Birthday Fete.--Invitation to Chair of Natural History at Neuchatel. --Acceptance.--Letter to Humboldt.

CHAPTER 7.. 1832-1834: Age 25-27.

1832-1834: AGE 25-27.

Enters upon his Professorship at Neuchatel.--First Lecture. --Success as a Teacher.--Love of Teaching.--Influence upon the Scientific Life of Neuchatel.--Proposal from University of Heidelberg.--Proposal declined.--Threatened Blindness. --Correspondence with Humboldt.--Marriage.--Invitation from Charpentier.--Invitation to visit England.--Wollaston Prize.--First Number of "Poissons Fossiles."--Review of the Work.

CHAPTER 8.. 1834-1837: Age 27-30.

1834-1837: AGE 27-30.

First Visit to England.--Reception by Scientific Men.--Work on Fossil Fishes there.--Liberality of English Naturalists.--First Relations with American Science.--Farther Correspondence with Humboldt.--Second Visit to England.--Continuation of "Fossil Fishes."--Other Scientific Publications.--Attention drawn to Glacial Phenomena.--Summer at Bex with Charpentier.--Sale of Original Drawings for "Fossil Fishes."--Meeting of Helvetic Society.--Address on Ice-Period.--Letters from Humboldt and Von Buch.

CHAPTER 9.. 1837-1839: Age 30-32.

1837-1839: AGE 30-32.

Invitation to Professorships at Geneva and Lausanne.--Death of his Father.--Establishment of Lithographic Press at Neuchatel. --Researches upon Structure of Mollusks.--Internal Casts of Shells. --Glacial Explorations.--Views of Buckland.--Relations with Arnold Guyot.--Their Work together in the Alps.--Letter to Sir Philip Egerton concerning Glacial Work.--Summer of 1839.--Publication of "Etudes sur les Glaciers."

CHAPTER 10.. 1840-1842: Age 33-35.

1840-1842: AGE 33-35.

Summer Station on the Glacier of the Aar.--Hotel des Neuchatelois. --Members of the Party.--Work on the Glacier.--Ascent of the Strahleck and the Siedelhorn.--Visit to England.--Search for Glacial Remains in Great Britain.--Roads of Glen Roy.--Views of English Naturalists concerning Agassiz's Glacial Theory.--Letter from Humboldt.--Winter Visit to Glacier.--Summer of 1841 on the Glacier.--Descent into the Glacier.--Ascent of the Jungfrau.

CHAPTER 11.. 1842-1843: Age 35-36.

1842-1843: AGE 35-36.

Zoological Work uninterrupted by Glacial Researches.--Various Publications.--"Nomenclator Zoologicus."--"Bibliographia Zoologiae et Geologiae."--Correspondence with English Naturalists. --Correspondence with Humboldt.--Glacial Campaign of 1842. --Correspondence with Prince de Canino concerning Journey to United States.--Fossil Fishes from the Old Red Sandstone.--Glacial Campaign of 1843.--Death of Leuthold, the Guide.

CHAPTER 12.. 1843-1846: Age 36-39.

1843-1846: AGE 36-39.

Completion of Fossil Fishes.--Followed by Fossil Fishes of the Old Red Sandstone.--Review of the Later Work.--Identification of Fishes by the Skull.--Renewed Correspondence with Prince Canino about Journey to the United States.--Change of Plan owing to the Interest of the King of Prussia in the Expedition.--Correspondence between Professor Sedgwick and Agassiz on Development Theory.--Final Scientific Work in Neuchatel and Paris.--Publication of "Systeme Glaciaire."--Short Stay in England.--Farewell Letter from Humboldt. --Sails for United States.

CHAPTER 13.. 1846: Age 39.

1846: AGE 39.

Arrival at Boston.--Previous Correspondence with Charles Lyell and Mr. John A. Lowell concerning Lectures at the Lowell Institute. --Relations with Mr. Lowell.--First Course of Lectures.--Character of Audience.--Home Letter giving an Account of his first Journey in the United States.--Impressions of Scientific Men, Scientific Institutions and Collections.

CHAPTER 14.. 1846-1847: Age 39-40.

1846-1847: AGE 39-40.

Course of Lectures in Boston on Glaciers.--Correspondence with Scientific Friends in Europe.--House in East Boston.--Household and Housekeeping.--Illness.--Letter to Elie de Beaumont.--Letter to James D. Dana.

CHAPTER 15.. 1847-1850: Age 40-43.

1847-1850: AGE 40-43.

Excursions on Coast Survey Steamer.--Relations with Dr. Bache, the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.--Political Disturbances in Switzerland.--Change of Relations with Prussia.--Scientific School established in Cambridge.--Chair of Natural History offered to Agassiz.--Acceptance.--Removal to Cambridge.--Literary and Scientific Associations there and in Boston.--Household in Cambridge.--Beginning of Museum.--Journey to Lake Superior.--" Report, with Narration."--"Principles of Zoology," by Agassiz and Gould.--Letters from European Friends respecting these Publications.--Letter from Hugh Miller.--Second Marriage.--Arrival of his Children in America.

CHAPTER 16.. 1850-1852: Age 43-45.

1850-1852: AGE 43-45.

Proposition from Dr. Bache.--Exploration of Florida Reefs.--Letter to Humboldt concerning Work in America.--Appointment to Professorship of Medical College in Charleston, S.C.--Life at the South.--Views concerning Races of Men.--Prix Cuvier.

CHAPTER 17.. 1852-1855: Age 45-48.

1852-1855: AGE 45-48.

Return to Cambridge.--Anxiety about Collections.--Purchase of Collections.--Second Winter in Charleston.--Illness.--Letter to James D. Dana concerning Geographical Distribution and Geological Succession of Animals.--Resignation of Charleston Professorship. --Propositions from Zurich.--Letter to Oswald Heer.--Decision to remain in Cambridge.--Letters to James D. Dana, S.S. Haldeman, and Others respecting Collections illustrative of the Distribution of Fishes, Shells, etc., in our Rivers.--Establishment of School for Girls.

CHAPTER 18.. 1855-1860: Age 48-53.

1855-1860: AGE 48-53.

"Contributions to Natural History of the United States." --Remarkable Subscription.--Review of the Work.--Its Reception in Europe and America.--Letters from Humboldt and Owen concerning it. --Birthday.--Longfellow's Verses.--Laboratory at Nahant. --Invitation to the Museum of Natural History in Paris.--Founding of Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge.--Summer Vacation in Europe.

CHAPTER 19.. 1860-1863: Age 53-56.

1860-1863: AGE 53-56.

Return to Cambridge.--Removal of Collection to New Museum Building. --Distribution of Work.--Relations with his Students.--Breaking out of the War between North and South.--Interest of Agassiz in the Preservation of the Union.--Commencement of Museum Publications. --Reception of Third and Fourth Volumes of "Contributions."--Copley Medal.--General Correspondence.--Lecturing Tour in the West. --Circular Letter concerning Anthropological Collections.--Letter to Mr. Ticknor concerning Geographical Distribution of Fishes in Spain.

CHAPTER 20.. 1863-1864: Age 56-57.

1863-1864: AGE 56-57.

Correspondence with Dr. S.G. Howe.--Bearing of the War on the Position of the Negro Race.--Affection for Harvard College. --Interest in her General Progress.--Correspondence with Emerson concerning Harvard.--Glacial Phenomena in Maine.

CHAPTER 21.. 1865-1868: Age 58-61.

1865-1868: AGE 58-61.

Letter to his Mother announcing Journey to Brazil.--Sketch of Journey.--Kindness of the Emperor.--Liberality of the Brazilian Government.--Correspondence with Charles Sumner.--Letter to his Mother at Close of Brazil Journey.--Letter from Martius concerning Journey in Brazil.--Return to Cambridge.--Lectures in Boston and New York.--Summer at Nahant.--Letter to Professor Peirce on the Survey of Boston Harbor.--Death of his Mother.--Illness. --Correspondence with Oswald Heer.--Summer Journey in the West. --Cornell University.--Letter from Longfellow.

CHAPTER 22.. 1868-1871: Age 61-64.

1868-1871: AGE 61-64.

New Subscription to Museum.--Additional Buildings.--Arrangement of New Collections.--Dredging Expedition on Board the Bibb.--Address at the Humboldt Centennial.--Attack on the Brain.--Suspension of Work.--Working Force at the Museum.--New Accessions.--Letter from Professor Sedgwick.--Letter from Professor Deshayes.--Restored Health.--Hassler Voyage proposed.--Acceptance.--Scientific Preparation for the Voyage.

CHAPTER 23.. 1871-1872: Age 64-65.

1871-1872: AGE 64-65.

Sailing of the Hassler.--Sargassum Fields.--Dredging at Barbados. --From the West Indies to Rio de Janeiro.--Monte Video. --Quarantine.--Glacial Traces in the Bay of Monte Video.--The Gulf of Mathias.--Dredging off Gulf of St. George.--Dredging off Cape Virgens.--Possession Bay.--Salt Pool.--Moraine.--Sandy Point. --Cruise through the Straits.--Scenery.--Wind Storm.--Borja Bay. --Glacier Bay.--Visit to the Glacier.--Chorocua Bay.

CHAPTER 24.. 1872: Age 65.

1872: AGE 65.

Picnic in Sholl Bay.--Fuegians.--Smythe's Channel.--Comparison of Glacial Features with those of the Strait of Magellan.--Ancud. --Port of San Pedro.--Bay of Concepcion.--Three Weeks in Talcahuana.--Collections.--Geology.--Land Journey to Santiago. --Scenes along the Road.--Report on Glacial Features to Mr. Peirce. --Arrival at Santiago.--Election as Foreign Associate of the Institute of France.--Valparaiso.--The Galapagos.--Geological and Zoological Features.--Arrival at San Francisco.

CHAPTER 25.. 1872-1873: Age 65-66.

1872-1873: AGE 65-66.

Return to Cambridge.--Summer School proposed.--Interest of Agassiz. --Gift of Mr. Anderson.--Prospectus of Penikese School. --Difficulties.--Opening of School.--Summer Work.--Close of School. --Last Course of Lectures at Museum.--Lecture before Board of Agriculture.--Illness.--Death.--Place of Burial.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. PORTRAIT OF LOUIS AGASSIZ AT THE AGE OF NINETEEN; copied by Mrs. John W. Elliot from a pastel drawing by Cecile Braun.

2. THE STONE BASIN AT MOTIER; drawn by Mrs. Elliot from a photograph.

3. THE LABORATORY AT NAHANT; from a drawing by Mrs. Elliot.

4. THE BIRTHPLACE OF LOUIS AGASSIZ; from a photograph.

5. HOTEL DES NEUCHATELOIS; copied by Mrs. Elliot from an oil sketch made on the spot by J. Burkhardt.

6. PORTRAIT OF JACOB LEUTHOLD; from a portrait by Burkhardt.

7. SECOND STATION ON THE AAR GLACIER; Copied by Mrs. Elliot from a sketch in oil by J. Burkhardt.

8. PORTRAIT OF LOUIS AGASSIZ AT THE AGE OF FIFTY-FIVE; originally published in "Nature".

9. COTTAGE AT NAHANT; from a photograph.

10. MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY; from a photograph.

11. PORTRAIT BUST OF AGASSIZ BY POWERS AT THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY; from a photograph.

12. VIEW OF PENIKESE; from a photograph.

***

LOUIS AGASSIZ.

Part 1. in Europe.

CHAPTER 1.

1807-1827: TO AGE 20.

Birthplace. Influence of his Mother. Early Love of Natural History. Boyish Occupations. Domestic Education. First School. Vacations. Commercial Life renounced. College of Lausanne. Choice of Profession. Medical School of Zurich. Life and Studies there. University of Heidelberg. Studies interrupted by Illness. Return to Switzerland. Occupations during Convalescence.

JEAN LOUIS RODOLPHE AGASSIZ was born May 28, 1807, at the village of Motier, on the Lake of Morat. His father, Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, was a clergyman; his mother, Rose Mayor, was the daughter of a physician whose home was at Cudrefin, on the shore of the Lake of Neuchatel.

The parsonages in Switzerland are frequently pretty and picturesque. That of Motier, looking upon the lake and sheltered by a hill which commands a view over the whole chain of the Bernese Alps, was especially so. It possessed a vineyard large enough to add something in good years to the small salary of the pastor; an orchard containing, among other trees, an apricot famed the country around for the unblemished beauty of its abundant fruit; a good vegetable garden, and a delicious spring of water flowing always fresh and pure into a great stone basin behind the house. That stone basin was Agassiz's first aquarium; there he had his first collection of fishes.* (* After his death a touching tribute was paid to his memory by the inhabitants of his birthplace. With appropriate ceremonies, a marble slab was placed above the door of the parsonage of Motier, with this inscription, "J. Louis Agassiz, celebre naturaliste, est ne dans cette maison, le 28 Mai, 1807.")

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