278 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



needed, and none have attempted to replace 

 these gentlemen in this especial line, one in 

 which you excel, both by your gifts and your 

 fortunate choice of a subject more in vogue 

 just now than any other. Come then, to 

 work in this rich vein before others present 

 themselves for the same purpose. Finally, 

 since I must make up your budget, the " Bib- 

 liotheque Universelle," which pays fifty francs 

 a sheet, would be always open to you ; there 

 you could bring the fruits of your produc- 

 tive leisure. Certainly it would be easy for 

 you to make in this way an additional thou- 

 sand francs. 



Here, then, is a statement, precise and full, 

 of the condition of things, and of what you 

 may hope to find here. The moment is pro- 

 pitious ; there is a movement among us just 

 now in favor of the sciences, and this winter 

 the plan of a large building for our museum 

 and library will be presented to our common 

 council. The work should begin next sum- 

 mer; you well know how much we should 

 value your ideas and your advice on this sub- 

 ject. There may also be question of a direc- 

 tor for the museum, and of an apartment for 

 him in the new edifice ; you will not doubt to 

 whom such a place would be offered. But let 



