20 PENIKESE. 



scene! Would that some canvas might contain that 

 picture. 



The Hall, or place of meeting, was an old barn 

 still retaining its ancient, barn-like appearance with- 

 out though entirely renovated and somewhat remod- 

 eled within. Great pains had been taken to leave its 

 side and rafters as they had been, and bare, yet per- 

 fectly clean. By a partition, was made a small, 

 square room, at the farther end of which were ranged 

 the chairs in which the pupils and company sat; in 

 front was a long table, extending nearly across the 

 room, around which the more highly honored guests 

 were placed; behind and near the center of the table, 

 stood Professor Agassiz, with head uncovered with 

 the fingers of one hand barely touching the table 

 with their tips, and the other hand within the breast 

 of his coat. In a moment all were silent: 



"Then the Master, 

 With a gesture of command, 

 Waved his hand;" 



and Professor Agassiz addressed us: 



"My friends!" he said, "you know not what a 

 pleasure it is for me to meet you all here today! I 

 have looked forward to this as being a very happy 

 event in my life, and I am not disappointed; but, 

 before proceeding with our business, let. us look to 

 the giver of all our good things in thanksgiving. I 

 know not any of you, therefore cannot feel free to 

 ask of any of you that favor which I otherwise should 

 do. I will ask you all, therefore, to join with me, 

 for a few moments, in silent prayer." Bowed heads 

 and silence responded to the call, as all joined in 

 that solemn occasion, and the waves dashing upon 

 the rocks, seemed like the utterances of those un- 

 spoken words while a thousand white-winged gulls, 

 upon noiseless pinion, filled the air, and seemed like 

 messengers from Heaven, awaiting only to catch the 

 spirit of those words that they might bear them up- 

 ward. 



