378 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 



vitation finds me at Hamilton which at this season 

 means deep in country life, for only the village people 

 remain here through the winter. 



My grandson Rodolphe and his wife have gone to 

 England. . . . They will be gone for two or three 

 months, and I am here to look after their two dear 

 Little girls during their absence. 



I have a sense of rest here which is very refreshing, 

 and not lonely, since I have the companionship of 

 the dear children who are most obedient and affec- 

 tionate. They are just at the age when story books 

 are their delight, and that is such a delightful occu- 

 pation both for reader and listener. When not reading 

 to them I am reading to myself, and to have undis- 

 turbed time for books is a great luxury. Our lives for 

 the most part are too busy. Then it is a great pleas- 

 ure to look out on the pine woods so close about us, 

 on the blue bits of water bordered by trees, on the 

 low hills and the open meadows — there is no fine 

 scenery but a rolling country with pasture land and 

 well wooded; it is very restful and pleasant. 



Farewell, dear friend, and my love to you and Sarah 

 [Jewett], 



Yours always and always, 



Elizabeth C. Agassiz 



The visit at Hamilton proved an occasion of great hap- 

 piness to Mrs. Agassiz. There are few more attractive pages 

 in her diary than those in which she records from day to 

 day the doings of the little girls, and they admirably illus- 

 trate with what felicity she put herself on a level with chil- 

 dren and truly felt with them in all their interests. 



