90 ALEXANDER AGASSIZ 



tion to whatever truth there may be in such a belief, 

 for while engrossed in his scientific life, he at the same 

 time produced a wonderful practical achievement. 



Called as a last resort to prop up a falling enterprise, 

 he transformed it into one of the most prosperous and 

 extensive mines known in the history of industry. By 

 the successful development of this property, he brought 

 wealth to many people, and prosperity and happiness 

 to thousands of workmen ; while he himself was thus 

 enabled to lead a series of scientific expeditions to the 

 ends of the earth, any one of which would have more 

 than fulfilled the fondest dreams of many a poor natur- 

 alist patiently bending over his microscope. 



In the Calumet and Hecla Mine, he has left a remark- 

 able proof of his very extraordinary executive ability 

 and business foresight. That mine is a monument such 

 as few men can show as the result of a life's work ; 

 when we consider that it was the by-product of the 

 brain of a man whose life's interest was abstract science, 

 the monument becomes unique. 



