160 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



tific objects, hospitals with museums. He was, 

 perhaps, a little inclined to believe that the 

 most favorable conditions for his medical stud- 

 ies were to be found in conjunction with the 

 best collections. He had, however, a special 

 medical purpose, being earnest to learn every- 

 thing regarding the treatment and the limita- 

 tion of cholera, then for the first time making 

 its appearance in Western Europe with fright- 

 ful virulence. Believing himself likely to con- 

 tinue the practice of medicine for some years 

 at least, he thought his observations upon this 

 scourge would be of great importance to him. 

 His letters of this date to his father are full 

 of the subject, and of his own efforts to ascer- 

 tain the best means of prevention and defense. 

 The following answer to an appeal from his 

 mother shows, however, that his delays caused 

 anxiety at home, lest the small means he could 

 devote to his studies in Paris should be con- 

 sumed on the road. 



TO HIS MOTHER. 



Carlsruhe, November, 1831. 



... I returned day before yesterday from 

 my trip in WUrtemberg, and though I al- 

 ready knew what precautions had been taken 

 everywhere in anticipation of cholera, I do 



