544: LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



known birthday verses by Longfellow, which 

 were read the next day at a dinner given to 

 Agassiz by the " Saturday Club." In speak- 

 ing of Longfellow's relation to this club, 

 Holmes says : "On one occasion he read a 

 short poem at the table. It was in honor of 

 Agassiz's birthday, and I cannot forget the 

 very modest, delicate musical way in which 

 he read his charming verses." Although in- 

 cluded in many collections of Longfellow's 

 Poems, they are reproduced here, because the 

 story seems incomplete without them. 



THE FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF AGASSIZ. 



It was fifty years ago, 



In the pleasant month of May, 



In the beautiful Pays de Vaud, 

 A child in its cradle lay. 



And Nature, the old nurse, took 



The child upon her knee, 

 Saying : " Here is a story-book 



Thy Father has written for thee." 



" Come wander with me," she said, 

 " Into regions yet untrod ; 

 And read what is still unread 

 In the manuscripts of God." 



And he wandered away and away 

 With Nature, the dear old nurse, 



