104 ELIZABETH GARY AGASSIZ 



TO MRS. THOMAS G. GARY 



Cambridge, October 26, 1867 

 I KNOW that you will be grieved to hear that we have 

 had very sad news of our dear Agassiz's mother 

 this week. She is very feeble and at her age there can 

 be little strength to rally. Had it not been for the hope 

 I have always cherished that we should be allowed to 

 have one more meeting, that perhaps God would let 

 her pass gently away with all her children about her, 

 I should pray that the end might rather be hastened 

 than deferred, for great old age is not a blessing; but 

 it is hard to give up this hope — and if I feel it a 

 disappointment, what must it be for Agassiz. Poor 

 Agassiz ! he feels it so bitterly, but he works with the 

 greater intensity the more unhappy he is. It is strange, 

 but it has always seemed to me that intellectual life 

 was to Agassiz what prayer is to others — an act of 

 adoration and the nearest approach to a communion 

 with God. He turns to it in every trouble and always 

 seems to find calm and resignation. 



November 18 

 We have had a very pleasant week since I wrote you 

 last, — still awfully busy on account of our "literary 

 labors"!! But the guns will soon be fired for the con- 

 clusion of the Brazilian book, whether over its un- 

 timely grave or for its success remains to be seen. 

 The most absolute failure shall not prevent me from 

 enjoying the rest and freedom of being fairly rid of 

 it. I shall feel as I did when the school was given up; 



