210 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



unworthy an intelligent being to trifle with the works of the Creator. A 

 laboratory of natural history is a sanctuary, in which nothing improper 

 shonld be exhibited. I would tolerate improprieties in a church as soon 

 as in a scientific laboratory " and in this spirit he did his work. May the 

 same pervade all the investigations of his pupils and compeers ! 



Behind all his eminent attainments in science, Agassiz stood one of 

 nature's noblemen, equally at ease in the presence of emperors and 

 peasants 5 he could speak a word that would charm a child or delight a 

 philosopher. He was too great to be distant from any one. Only little- 

 ness is distant, inaccessible. With what pitying sympathy would he listen 

 to the story of the jierplexed and discouraged inquirer, and how his 

 words of instruction sent him away joyous as the morning ! 



Did he sometimes err ? In the midst of his million cares and crushing 

 burdens was he sometimes severe, merciless, if you please, in his exac- 

 tions? Eemember that with all his marvelous attainments, and yet 

 more marvelous capacities to attain, he was still a man of like pas- 

 sions with us. But as a man he was such a one as we shall not soon 

 look on his like again. The memory of hours spent with him will be 

 evermore precious. The sweet tones of that musical voice will linger 

 long in many a hall and laboratory and heart. 



Of the value of many of his theories it does not become me to speak. 

 They must be tried in the furnace of freest and fullest investigation. 

 But however many of them may be proved to be dross, enough, I doubt 

 not, will come out of the trial approved, to place him in the rank of 

 the great discoverers of the nineteenth century. And American scien- 

 tists will now with one consent proclaim that his instruction and enthu- 

 siasm have inspired and guided our students so that from his arrival on 

 these shores a new scientific era may be dated. And American theolo- 

 gians, those whose blind eyes do not need cleansingin some Siloam, will 

 confess with grateful hearts their obligations to one who has opened to 

 them the great A^olume of nature, and taught them to read it reverently. 

 And finally, when over his grave, amid the fragrance and glories of 

 Mount Auburn, his monument is erected, let it be a column entwined 

 with wreaths and symbols of his life's work, and on it there be inscribed, 

 "The Interpreter op Nature, who looked prom Nature up 

 TO Nature's God." 



