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, 
T 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 
Ir’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 
