LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 101 
he had all he needed in this immediate neighborhood 
and that, though it would be interesting to see the 
higher Serra, the mountains and valleys in the midst 
of which we were gave him all the phenomena of the 
ice period. We therefore stayed in the comfortable 
quarters where we were for two days, being made 
most warmly welcome. I did not go out except to walk 
in the garden and bathe in the brook near by, but 
Agassiz was very busy careering about on horseback 
(which he says he hates worse and worse every day) 
and following up the investigations he is so much 
interested in. 
TO MISS SARAH G. CARY 
Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 1866 
I wisn that I could photograph my life here for you. 
It would make you understand why I feel that though 
I long for home with painful intensity, I yet am sure 
that I shall sometimes have a sort of yearning for 
my Brazilian life — for the climate where one never 
thinks of closing door or window, for the liberty of 
action which such weather gives, for the enchanting 
scenery which J know I can never forget. So far as per- 
sonal relations are concerned and indeed everything 
which regards culture and even civilization, six years 
with us is worth twenty here; but still for that enjoy- 
ment which nature gives I shall always feel that I owe 
a lasting debt to Brazil and shall always have a lin- 
gering affection for it. Then I have formed a few very 
pleasant friendships here. 
Agassiz is giving three or four lectures here, but he 
