308 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



recording the titles of the works, that I might 

 readily consult them for identification of such 

 objects as I should have an opportunity of exam- 

 ining in nature." 



The boys remained two years at Zurich. One 

 vacation, as they were walking home, the family 

 having moved from Motier to Orbe, they were over- 

 taken by a gentleman who asked them to ride, 

 shared his lunch with them, and took them to their 

 own door. Some days afterward he wrote to M. 

 Agassiz that he had been so impressed by his son 

 Louis that he wished to adopt him and provide 

 for him through life. 



This request caused great commotion in the little 

 home, for the writer of the letter was a man of 

 wealth in Geneva, but, after careful consideration, 

 both parents and son declined the offer, preferring 

 to struggle with poverty rather than bear separa- 

 tion. 



At the end of the two years in Zurich, Auguste 

 went to the commercial house of his uncle at 

 Neuchatel, and Louis to the University of Heidel- 

 berg, taking letters of introduction from Professor 

 Schinz and others. Professor Tiedernann, the 

 chancellor, had studied with Schinz; therefore. 

 Agassiz received a warm welcome, and an offer of 

 books from his library. 



The young student worked earnestly. He wrote 

 to his father : " Every morning I rise at six o'clock, 

 dress and breakfast. At seven I go to my lectures 

 given during the morning. . . . If, in the interval, 



