CAMBRIDGE—^ JOURNEY IN BRAZIL 105 



and yet I have a kind of fondness for it, too, just as 

 I had for that, because I had worked at it with Agassiz, 

 and we have had so much pleasure with it together. 

 Only we are both tired now and shall be glad when 

 it's fairly done. 



November 25 

 You will be sorry to hear that the news we have been 

 expecting, or rather fearing, for several steamers, has 

 come. Agassiz's mother died on the eleventh. The 

 letters are lovely about it, remembering him, think- 

 ing of him to the last, sending flowers to be placed be- 

 fore his picture. But still with everything to comfort 

 him, you know this is a terrible parting for Agassiz. 

 Not but that he feels as if in a certain sense she were 

 nearer to him than ever before, but still they are no 

 longer on the same earth together. He works and takes 

 refuge in occupation. 



December 17 

 Do you remember that we are approaching Christmas.'^ 

 What shall we do without you all.? Our presents will 

 soon be distributed, but I mean to have some games 

 for the children and make it as gay as I can for them. 

 Our tree is already mounted, and Louis has come to 

 pass the week and help Mary Anne, whom I have got 

 in for the occasion to gild nuts and dress the tree. I 

 mean to take just as little trouble about it as pos- 

 sible and be as fresh as I can for the day when it comes. 

 It is delightful to have Louis, and the little man is as 

 happy and good and busy as he can be. 



