148 LOUIS AGASSIZ. [CHAP. vn. 



hold involving an important addition to it. Young Karl 

 Vogt, just graduated doctor from a German university, 

 arrived on the last day of August, as had been agreed 

 two years previously in October, 1837, when Agassiz 

 was visiting his father at Berne. Karl was to help Agas- 

 siz in his publication and researches touching fossil and 

 living fishes, and new arrangements became necessary 

 to meet the increase of expenses. Never practical, and 

 becoming more and more accustomed to gather round 

 him as many assistants and social companions as he 

 could, Agassiz could find no better way to diminish his 

 expenses than to give Desor and Vogt their board at 

 his own table; Desor already had a room in the house, 

 and another near by was taken for Vogt. In this way 

 Vogt and Desor became members of his family, their 

 board and lodging being entirely at Agassiz's expense. 

 As to salary, nothing was stipulated; but when they 

 wanted money they had to ask for it, and if Agassiz 

 had any, which was more and more rare, he gave them 

 some. At first the new arrangement worked very well. 

 Agassiz had company at his meals, which was always 

 a' great pleasure to him, for he was delighted to be 

 surrounded by brilliant and intelligent, especially 

 scientific people. Agassiz's mother, who was visiting 

 him at this time while his wife was in Carlsruhe, was 

 a capital housekeeper, with much dignity of manner, 

 and accustomed to keep every one in his place with- 

 out allowing the slightest encroachment or too much 

 familiarity. 



Karl Vogt in his twenties was a character seldom 



