186 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



In the agitation of the moment the letter 

 was not even signed. 



The following note from Humboldt to Mme. 

 Agassiz, kept by her as a precious possession, 

 shows that in answer to her son's appeal his 

 mother took her courage, as the French say- 

 ing is, " with both hands/' and wrote as she 

 was desired. 



FROM HUMBOLDT TO MME. AGASSIZ. 



PARIS, April 11, 1832. 



I should scold your son, Madame, for hav- 

 ing spoken to you of the slight mark of inter- 

 est I have been able to show him ; and yet, 

 how can I complain of a letter so touching, so 

 noble in sentiment, as the one I have just re- 

 ceived from your hand. Accept my warmest 

 thanks for it. How happy you are to have 

 a son so distinguished by his talents, by the 

 variety and solidity of his acquirements, and, 

 withal, as modest as if he knew nothing, 

 in these days, too, when youth is generally 

 characterized by a cold and scornful amour- 

 propre. One might well despair of the world 

 if a person like your son, with information so 

 substantial and manners so sweet and prepos- 

 sessing, should fail to make his way. I ap- 

 prove highly the Neuchatel plan, and hope, 



