526 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



to his wife and his two older children, now of 

 an age to assist her in such a scheme, that a 

 school for young ladies might be established 

 in the upper part of the new and larger house. 

 By the removal of one or two partitions, ample 

 room could be obtained for the accommoda- 

 tion of a sufficient number of pupils, and if 

 successful such a school would perhaps make 

 good in a pecuniary sense the lecturing tours 

 which were not only a great fatigue to Agas- 

 siz, but an interruption also to all consecutive 

 scientific work. In consultation with friends 

 these plans were partly matured before they 

 were confided to Agassiz himself. When the 

 domestic conspirators revealed their plot, his 

 surprise and pleasure knew no bounds. The 

 first idea had been simply to establish a pri- 

 vate school on the usual plan, only referring to 

 his greater experience for advice and direction 

 in its general organization. But he claimed 

 at once an active share in the work. Under 

 his inspiring influence the outline enlarged, 

 and when the circular announcing the school 

 was issued, it appeared under his name, and 

 contained these words in addition to the pro- 

 gramme of studies : " I shall myself super- 

 intend the methods of instruction and tui- 

 tion, and while maintaining that regularity 



