LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 81 



hands and then he rushes out of the room, as if he 

 were going to walk a mile in a minute on some errand 

 of life or death. At first I thought he had gone for 

 something and would be back again; but it was the 

 last we saw of him. 



TO MRS. QUINCY A. SHAW 



Rio de Janeiro, June 5, 1865 



I HAVE enjoyed every moment since I came to Rio. 

 Besides the daily pleasure of the beautiful scenery, 

 I have the delight of seeing Agassiz improve continu- 

 ally in health and spirits, and then time can never 

 hang heavy, for I find plenty to occupy me in doing 

 little odds and ends for him, keeping a record of the 

 journey for his use, writing my home letters, reading, 

 and so on. I have made some very pleasant acquaint- 

 ances here, and they are all very kind to me. As for 

 your father, he is nearly killed with kindness; he has 

 hardly a moment to himself. 



Tell Louis I think about him all the time. I never 

 see a bright bird or a beautiful butterfly or a monkey 

 or a parrot that I don't wish I could show it to him. 



July 23 



IT'S almost like seeing the children to get your let- 

 ters, though I confess it leaves a slight pang of home- 

 sickness. We are sure to find each other almost un- 

 changed when we meet after a year, but every day is 

 precious in a child's life, their little, lovely ways, 

 their new phrases, their cunning expressions, their 



