318 ELIZABETH GARY AGASSIZ 



have enabled me to keep my position some years 

 longer than I could otherwise have done. I can 

 never thank you in words for the relief and support 

 that you have given me. 



Your affectionate friend, 



Elizabeth C. Agassiz 



My resignation takes effect January 1, 1900. 



TO MRS. LOUIS AGASSIZ FROM MISS IRVIN 



Gray Pine, North East Harbor, Maine, August 15, 1899 

 Dear Mrs. Agassiz: I was not absolutely unpre- 

 pared for your letter, as I had just heard from Mr. 

 Higginson that you were writing to me and that 

 your "decision must be accepted." I have, never- 

 theless, been profoundly disturbed by your deter- 

 mination to resign, and I have thought over the 

 matter and tried to be as fair as possible. I know 

 you have earned your repose; still, I do feel that we 

 might and could and would take off every one of 

 your burdens if you would remain with us even in 

 name! The Commencement speech is the one black 

 spot, is it not? You need never make one, I think. 

 But I don't wish to urge you. I wish to do only w^hat 

 you think best. . . . 



No one can fill your place. Wliat you have been 

 to us as President, no one else can be. I mean in 

 kind as well as in degree. I think we are all of one 

 mind about that. What you can give us is given 

 by you. Could and would any one else as President 

 give us that.'^ I feel sure that no one would. . . . 



