VISIT TO BOSTON. 81 



At the beginning of the following year, Professor 

 Silliman visited Boston, where he had the pleasure 

 of hearing Agassiz, and of meeting old friends. The 

 annexed notices are from the " Diary," on which we 

 must hereafter chiefly depend: 



Wednesday Morning, January 13, 1847. In the after- 

 noon of this day, and also on Friday evening, I attended 

 a lecture of Agassiz, in the Lowell Institute, now holding 

 its lectures in the Tremont Theatre, which has become a 

 church. Professor Agassiz gives great satisfaction, and 

 wins universal favor. The vast extent of his knowledge 

 in all departments of natural history, his almost unexam- 

 pled industry, and winning affability and modesty, make 

 him a great favorite. His course is devoted to tracing the 

 origin and progress of the creation of animals, from the 

 earliest to the latest ; and the fossil animals, he is able, from 

 his extensive acquirements, to compare with the living cre- 

 ation His manner is calm, dignified, and yet en- 

 gaged. He uses, in general, very good English, some- 

 times hesitating for a word, but generally finding the right 

 expression. 



January 17. In Boston I experienced great hospitality 

 and kindness, and was warmly greeted by many of my 

 old friends; affectionately, by not a few. I dined with 

 Warren Button and lady and family, and also with Josiah 

 Quincy, Jr., and family, including his parents and Miss 

 Sedgwick, the celebrated authoress ; and everything was 

 very agreeable. I was at a Warren Club, newly got up, 

 and called after the Warrens; it brought together many 

 of the distinguished men of the town at Dr. Lawrence's. 

 There was also a soiree at Dr. C. T. Jackson's, I suppose 

 for Agassiz and myself, and here I met many old friends, 



and made some new acquaintance Among those 



families that gave me a warm reception were the Law- 

 rences, the Lambs, Masons, Warrens, Bruens, Duttons, 



