LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



IN the midst of as beautiful scenery as one finds 

 on earth, snow-white Alps, blue lakes, great 

 fields of purple crocus, and picturesque homes, 

 Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz was born at Motier, 

 on Lake Morat, Switzerland, May 28, 1807. 



His father, a clergyman, descended from a long 

 line of clergymen, was a gentle but efficient man, 

 universally esteemed. His mother, Kose Mayor, 

 the daughter of a physician on the shore of Lake 

 Neuchfitel, was a woman of strong character and 

 most tender affection. She had buried her first 

 four children ; therefore Louis w^as cared for with 

 unusual solicitude. 



Until he was ten years old, he was taught by his 

 parents, and allowed to develop his natural tastes. 

 Possibly his sweetness of disposition resulted, in 

 part, from the wise training of the father and 

 mother. Doubtless as many children are spoiled 

 by undue thwarting and irritating as by over-in- 

 dulgence. Though Louis met almost unsurmount- 

 able obstacles later in life, he was able to rejoice, 

 having enjoyed a sunny childhood. Such a child- 

 hood we can give to our children but once. 



In a great stone basin back of the parsonage, the 

 boy made his first aquarium. There he gathered 

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