112 Profospor ForboR on the Firsf Discover)/ of the 



linve gone in support of the Glacier Tlicorj', would, I knew, not liave 

 satisfied M. Agassiz. 



" M, That, from the perusal of Charpeutier's work, and from communi- 

 cations with those best acquainted with the history of the Theory in Swit- 

 zerland, I had begun to perceive, that were I to take any part in the dis- 

 cussion going on between Agassiz and Charpentier, it must be in favour 

 of the latter, and not of the former, as an original observer and just rea- 

 soner," 



I reached home in the month of October 1841, and soon com- 

 menced the Historical Review of the Glacier Question which 

 I had projected. Whilst I was thus engaged, the Comptes 

 Rendiis of the Academy of Sciences at Paris for the 18th Oc- 

 tober reached me. In it I found a letter from M. Agassiz to 

 Baron Humboldt, containing the following passage, with refe- 

 I'ence to the observations made on the Glacier of the Aar. 



Extract Seventh. — From Professor Agassiz to Baron IhimhoIiU. 



" Le fait Ic plus nouvcau que j'ai remarque, c'est la presence dans la 

 masse de la glace de rubans vevticaux de glace bleuc, alternant avec des 

 bandes de glace blanche d'un quart de lignc a pluslcurs pouccs de large, 

 s'etendant suv toute la longueur du glacier, c'est a dire, a plusieurs lieucs 

 de longueur, et pe'netrant a une profondeur d'au moins 120 pieds puisque 

 j'ai observe encore cc plie'nomenc au fond du trou de sonde." 



On reading this letter, from which all mention even of my 

 presence on the glacier of the Aar is excluded, my first 

 impression was of surprise and pain. That I could not 

 sufl'er so direct a plagiarism to remain unchallenged never 

 appeared to me to admit of doubt ; le fait le plus nouveau 

 que j'ai remarque, was an assertion as articulate as it was 

 unfounded. How to take notice of it was a point of more 

 difficulty. I felt fully the delicacy of my position. Towards M. 

 Agassiz I felt the warmest friendship ; sympathy with his zeal, 

 and gratitude for his kindness and hospitality. This he well 

 knew: during several weeks of the closest intimacy, we had been 

 perpetually engaged in discussions connected with his theore- 

 tical views, and also respecting facts. I believe it may safely 

 be stated, that neither of us ever for a moment lost temper in 

 these amicable disputes, which often lasted for hours together, 

 and which were uninterrupted either by our walks or our 

 meals. His enthusiasm and good temper in these discussions 

 delighted me, even where he failed to convince me of the 



