100 ALEXANDER AGASSIZ 



if it had to be purchased at cost of spending all one's 

 time there and doing all the work at both ends. I dare 

 say if I had come here perfectly well and willing to 

 work all the time I could have got a great many things 

 which would be very valuable, but I must now refuse 

 everything which is offered, as it all implies so much 

 work that I cannot stand it. 



"So you see that all I can do and all I intend to do, 

 is simply to see what there is, what they can give, and 

 get out exchanges ichen I get back ; we may lose much, 

 I dare say, which could be had on the spur of the mo- 

 ment, but the price for which it can be had I am not 

 capable of offering, and I intend to have a good time 

 and not work myself to death as I have done here in 

 Paris." 



The end of March found Agassiz and his family on 

 their way to Switzerland ; as they swung over the Jura 

 he watched eagerly for the first glimpse of his native 

 Alps, and his wondering little son saw his staid father 

 transformed into a joyous boy as he excitedly pointed 

 out the faint outline of the mountains climbing up in 

 the southern sky. After a short visit to their Swiss 

 relations, Mr. and Mrs. Agassiz started on an extended 

 trip through Europe, leaving the children in charge of 

 a great-aunt in Lausanne. 



TO MRS. LOUIS AGASSIZ 



Florence, Apl. 30, 1870. 



My dear Ma: — 



Annie and I both found a letter from you at Florence, 

 where we have had a most pleasant time ; we met here 

 most unexpectedly her Aunt Rose and Amelia and Mr. 



