408 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



his final resolve to remain in this country. 

 Indeed, the secret of his greatest power was 

 to be found in the sympathetic, human side 

 of his character. Out of his broad humanity 

 grew the genial personal influence, by which 

 he awakened the enthusiasm of his audiences 

 for unwonted themes, inspired his students to 

 disinterested services like his own, delighted 

 children in the school-room, and won the cor- 

 dial interest as well as the cooperation in the 

 higher aims of science, of all classes whether 

 rich or poor. 



His first course was to be given in Decem- 

 ber. Having, therefore, a few weeks to spare, 

 he made a short journey, stopping at New 

 Haven to see the elder Silliman, with whom 

 he had long been in correspondence. Shortly 

 before leaving Europe he had written him, " I 

 can hardly tell you with what pleasure I look 

 forward to seeing you, and making the per- 

 sonal acquaintance of the distinguished savans 

 of your country, whose works I have lately 

 been studying with especial care. There is 

 something captivating in the prodigious activ- 

 ity of the Americans, and the thought of con- 

 tact with the superior men of your young and 

 glorious republic renews my own youth." 

 Some account of this journey, including his 



