84 LOUIS AGASSIZ. [CHAP. v. 



pentier. Agassiz found lodgings in the neighbourhood 

 of " des Devens," at " la Sallaz," a suburb of the small 

 town of Bex, and daily visited de Charpentier. The 

 site, just north of Bex, on rising ground, among fine 

 orchards and vineyards, is truly magnificent ; with lux- 

 uriant vegetation, and in full view of the opening 

 of the great valley of the Valais, and at the foot of the 

 Dent du Midi. Mrs. Agassiz, with her little boy Alex- 

 ander, was delighted with the place, and with Mr. and 

 Mrs. de Charpentier, as well as their only child, a 

 charming girl of seven years, time passed quickly, 

 and Agassiz found in more intimate acquaintance with 

 de Charpentier, another charmer of men, not like himself 

 in many points, but very similar in some. For instance, 

 de Charpentier was a delightful talker, very hospitable, 

 and, like Agassiz, enjoyed hearing the " chime at mid- 

 night." The evenings passed like dreams, in endless 

 conversations on scientific subjects. For the greater 

 comfort of the guests collected round his table, - - for 

 besides Agassiz there were Dr. Lebert, Em. Thomas, 

 Venetz, Albert Mousson, Escher von der Linth, and 

 Lardy, - - de Charpentier ordered the best wine of his 

 cellar, and although moderation prevailed, the conver- 

 sation was often enlivened, and' hour after hour passed 

 so quickly that the company frequently did not separate 

 until a late hour ; sometimes not before daybreak. It 

 was a fruitful and genial time for all those who were 

 fortunate enough to be present. Agassiz was soon con- 

 verted into a glacialist by the arguments, and more espe- 

 cially by the evidences shown him by de Charpentier 

 and Venetz, all round Bex, and in several excursions 



