314 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



atmosphere you have thus established about 

 you. The approaching completion of the 

 fossil fishes delivers me also from the fear 

 that a too great ardor might cause you irrep- 

 arable losses. You have shown not only what 

 a talent like yours can accomplish, but also 

 how a noble courage can triumph over seem- 

 ingly insurmountable obstacles. 



In what words shall I tell you how greatly 

 our admiration is increased by this new work 

 of yours on the Fresh-Water Fishes ? Nothing 

 has appeared more admirable, more perfect 

 in drawing and color. This chromatic lithog- 

 raphy resembles nothing we have had thus 

 far. What taste has directed the publica- 

 tion ! Then the short descriptions accompany- 

 ing each plate add singularly to the charm and 

 the enjoyment of this kind of study. Accept 

 my warm thanks, my dear friend. I not only 

 delivered your letter and the copy with it to 

 the king, but I added a short note on the 

 merit of such an undertaking. The counselor 

 of the Royal Cabinet writes me officially that 

 the king has ordered the same number of 

 copies of the Fresh -Water Fishes as of the 

 Fossil Fishes ; that is to say, ten copies. M. 

 de Werther has already received the order. 

 This is, to be sure, but a slight help ; still, 



