LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 101 



he had all he needed in this immediate neighborhood 

 and that, though it would be interesting to see the 

 higher Serra, the mountains and valleys in the midst 

 of which we were gave him all the phenomena of the 

 ice period. We therefore stayed in the comfortable 

 quarters where we were for two days, being made 

 most warmly welcome. I did not go out except to walk 

 in the garden and bathe in the brook near by, but 

 Agassiz w^as very busy careering about on horseback 

 (which he says he hates worse and worse every day) 

 and following up the investigations he is so much 

 interested in. 



TO MISS SARAH G. GARY 



Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 1866 

 I WISH that I could photograph my life here for you. 

 It would make you understand why I feel that though 

 I long for home with painful intensity, I yet am sure 

 that I shall sometimes have a sort of yearning for 

 my Brazilian life — for the climate where one never 

 thinks of closing door or window, for the liberty of 

 action which such weather gives, for the enchanting 

 scenery which I know I can never forget. So far as per- 

 sonal relations are concerned and indeed everything 

 which regards culture and even civilization, six years 

 with us is worth twenty here; but still for that enjoy- 

 ment which nature gives I shall always feel that I owe 

 a lasting debt to Brazil and shall always have a lin- 

 gering affection for it. Then I have formed a few very 

 pleasant friendships here. 



Agassiz is giving three or four lectures here, but he 



