128 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



animation, after having satisfied every require- 

 ment of the Faculty. . . . The whole cere- 

 mony lasted nine days. At the close, while 

 they considered my case, I was sent out of 

 the room. On my return, the Dean said to 

 me, " The Faculty have been very much " 

 (emphasized) " pleased with your answers ; 

 they congratulate themselves on being able 

 to give the diploma to a young man who has 

 already acquired so honorable a reputation. 

 On Saturday, after having argued your thesis, 

 you will receive your degree, in the Academic 

 Hall, from the Hector of the University." The 

 Rector then added that he should look upon 

 it as the brightest moment of his Rectorship 

 when he conferred upon me the title I had so 

 well merited. Next Saturday, then, at the 

 very time you receive this letter, at ten o'clock 

 in the morning, the discussion will have begun, 

 and at twelve I shall have my degree. Dear 

 Mother, dismiss all anxiety about me. You 

 see I am as good as my word. . . . Write 

 soon ; in a few days I go to Vienna for some 

 months. . . . 



