472 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



quently remarked, — I know not with what 

 degree of truth, — that there is a closer re- 

 semblance between the Scotch and Swiss than 

 between any other two peoples of Europe, you 

 may have some interest in determining whether 

 the features of your own countryfolk are not 

 sometimes to be seen in those of mine, as ex- 

 hibited in my legendary history. Certainly 

 both countries had for many ages nearly the 

 same sort of work to do ; both had to main- 

 tain a long and ultimately successful war of 

 independence against nations greatly more 

 powerful than themselves ; and as their hills 

 produced little else than the " soldier and his 

 sword," both had to make a trade abroad of 

 that art of war which they were compelled in 

 self-defense to acquire at home. Even in the 

 laws of some nations we find them curiously 

 enough associated together. In France, under 

 the old regime, the personal property of all 

 strangers dying in the country, Swiss and 

 Scots excepted, was forfeited to the king. 



The other volume, " First Impressions of 

 England and its People," contains some per- 

 sonal anecdotes and some geology. But the 

 necessary materials you will chiefly find in the 

 article from the " North British Review " 

 which I also inclose. It is from the pen of 



