134 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



hardly leave earlier, because, for the sake of 

 practice, I have begun to deliver zoological 

 lectures, open to all who like to attend, and 

 I want to complete the course before my de- 

 parture. I lecture without even an outline or 

 headings before me, but this requires prepara- 

 tion. You see I do not lose my time." 



The next home letter announces an impor- 

 tant change in the family affairs. His father 

 had been called from his parish at Orbe to that 

 of Concise, a small town situated on the south- 

 western shore of the Lake of Neuchatel. 



FROM HIS MOTHER. 



ORBE, July, 1830. 



. . . Since your father wrote you on the 

 4th of June, dear Louis, we have had no news 

 from you, and therefore infer that you are 

 working with especial zeal to wind up your 

 affairs in Germany and come home as soon as 

 possible. Whatever haste you make, however, 

 you will not find us here. Four days ago 

 your father became pastor of Concise, and yes- 

 terday we went to visit our new home. Noth- 

 ing can be prettier, and by all who know the 

 place it is considered the most desirable posi- 

 tion in the canton. There is a vineyard, a 

 fine orchard filled with fruit-trees in full bear. 



