xxiv.] /-V r SOCIETY. 221 



by a Unitarian minister, and his funeral service was 

 conducted by another, both named Peabody, but not 

 related. Agassiz always avoided the society of minis- 

 ters and clergymen in general, because, ,as he said, "he 

 saw too many of them in his youth." 



In society, he was fond of meeting rich and influen- 

 tial men, being always desirous of acquaintance with 

 those possessing a great name and in high social or 

 official positions. He was an aristocrat by nature, with 

 a strong mixture of popular and democratic habits and 

 manners, and always ready to distribute large doses of 

 "1'eau benite des cours," in which connection he had 

 been at a good school, with Alexander von Humboldt, 

 who was a perfect courtier. 



He was not fond of the society of other savants, 

 often having occasion to complain of their conceit and 

 curiosity. He did not know how to repulse the too 

 familiar manners, and even insolence, to which cele- 

 brated men are often exposed. Poets, litterati, histo- 

 rians, philologists, lawyers, and especially merchant 

 princes, were more to his taste. Military officers had 

 no attraction for him ; but he was very fond of naval 

 officers and captains of merchant steamship lines. 



Agassiz, who was a brilliant conversationist, had also 

 the most winning manners; and he easily induced those 

 around him to accept and even to share in his enthu- 

 siasm. If any one resisted, he was' not discouraged, 

 and displayed a true coquetry in his efforts to conquer. 

 Easily approached, he met you most openly, with ex- 

 pressions of frankness, mingled with agreeable surprises, 

 and brought you to his view or side almost before you 



