BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 163 



It is more than a pleasant picture, it is a lesson for all time, and should awaken, through 

 generations, the desire generously to encourage and wisely to aid. 



It was in this spirit that a " Humboldt Scholarship " became associated with the Hum- 

 boldt Anniversary. Through personal solicitation on the part of the committee the sum 

 of seven thousand dollars was subscribed to form a permanent fund, the income of which, 

 under the direction of the Faculty, was to be solely applied to the aid of young and needy 

 students, while pursuing their preparatory studies at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 

 in Cambridge. The founding of this scholarship was the voluntary proposition of this So- 

 ciety as a token of sympathy and hearty good-will. 



The gratification of Professor Agassiz was at once expressed. In a note written July 

 3d, he says : 



" Your proposition to connect a scholarship with the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 

 in commemoration of this occasion, has had great weight with me. I believe that such an 

 arrangement will not only be an ever-returning memento of the solemnities of this 14th of 

 September, but, if properly conducted, will contribute to the real advancement of Natural 

 History among us." 



The origin of this scholarship was by some misapprehended. It was supposed to have 

 been suggested, directly or indirectly, by Professor Agassiz. This is an entire mistake. 

 No one could feel more sensitive than he himself did upon this subject. His feelings are 

 frankly expressed in a note which I received from him, after he had read a paragraph in 

 the daily papers, referring this movement to him. 



" MY DEAR SIR : 



" In a paper to-day, giving an account of the proposed celebration, ' a plan ' is alluded 

 to ' of Mr. Agassiz for founding a Humboldt Scholarship in the institution of which he is 

 the head.' 



" This is no doubt a simple error of the press, but I should be very sorry to have it 

 stnnd. It would have been very ungracious in me, and would have shown, to say the 

 least, a great want of delicacy, had I suggested an endowment for the Museum in which I 

 am personally interested. It was, as you know, a proposition made spontaneously, without 

 any reference to me. And though I rejoice in it and feel doubly unwilling, on account of 

 this offer, to shrink from the responsibility connected with the invitation of your com- 

 mittee, yet the suggestion coming from me, under the circumstances, instead of being 

 appropriate, would be wholly unbecoming. You will excuse me for troubling you about 

 this, but I am sure you will see that it places me in an awkward position." 



If in any mind there should exist even the shadow of a misapprehension upon this sub- 

 ject, these words will serve to explain fully both the feelings of Prof. Agassiz and the 

 exact facts of the case. 



At the close of his public address of the 14th of September, he says : 



" I have appeared before you as the representative of the Boston Natural History So- 

 ciety. It was their proposition to celebrate this memorable anniversary. I feel grateful 

 for their invitation, for the honor they have done me. I feel still more grateful for the 

 generous impulse which has prompted them to connect a Humboldt Scholarship, as a me- 

 morial of this occasion, with the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge." 



