196 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



had been their fellow-students at the univer- 

 sity, and at their request Agassiz and Braun 

 resumed the practice of giving private lectures 

 on zoology and botany, the whole being con- 

 ducted in the most informal manner, admitting 

 absolute freedom of discussion, as among inti- 

 mate companions of the same age. Such an 

 interchange naturally led to very genial rela- 

 tions between the amateur professors and their 

 class, and on the eve of Agassiz's birthday 

 (28th of May) his usual audience prepared for 

 him a very pleasant surprise. Returning from 

 a walk after dusk he found Braun in his room. 

 Continuing his stroll within four walls, he and 

 his friend paced the floor together in earnest 

 talk, when, at a signal, Braun suddenly drew 

 him to the window, threw it open, and on the 

 pavement below stood their companions, sing- 

 ing a part song, composed in honor of Agas- 

 siz. Deeply moved, he withdrew from the win- 

 dow in time to receive them as they trooped 

 up the stairway to offer their good wishes. 

 They presently led the way to another room 

 which they had dressed with flowers, Agassiz's 

 name, among other decorations, being braided 

 in roses beneath two federal flags crossed on 

 the wall. Here supper was laid, and the rest 

 of the evening passed gayly with songs and 



