148 THREE KINGDOMS. 



designed, nor had we supposed it possible that thor- 

 ough scientific work could be systematically done by 

 many of the chapters, if at all. 



We chose the name 'Agassiz' because it was then 

 uppermost in mind. His then recent death was fresh 

 in the hearts of the nation ; and his birth in Switzer- 

 land, where a similar organization was said to exist, 

 rendered it especially appropriate. The choice was 

 wiser than we knew. No one can read Mrs. Agassiz's 

 life of her husband without feeling that no name 

 could better stimulate us to faithful work. 



Having thus selected the name, a letter was sent to 

 Prof. Alexander Agassiz, asking permission publicly 

 to adopt it. Professor Agassiz replied that he " cor- 

 dially assents that this very pleasant and useful plan 

 for children be called the Agassiz Association, and 

 that we have his hearty good wishes for its success." 



The societies that joined us during the first year or 

 two of our existence, when our plans were still uncer- 

 tain and our methods comparatively crude, retain in 

 many cases the notion that the Agassiz Association 

 to-day is the same loose organization it was at first 

 an aggregation of local societies united only in name, 

 allowed to drift hither and thither without direction 

 or assistance. But the necessity for careful super- 

 vision and guidance has grown more and more appar- 

 ent. We have been constantly besieged with requests 

 for systematic courses of study, elaborate plans of 

 work, personal counsel and advice. Courses of study 

 have accordingly been added, plans of work sketched, 

 and a regular system of reports established. The 

 conditions of admission have been defined, and, in 

 short, more business-like methods adopted, until we 

 now resemble rather an extended school with numer- 

 ous classes than an ordinary society. 



I may mention four different sorts of chapters. 



