104 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 
TO MRS. THOMAS G. CARY 
Cambridge, October 26, 1867 
I xnow that you will be grieved to hear that we have 
had very sad news of our dear Agassiz’s mother 
this week. She is very feeble and at her age there can 
be little strength to rally. Had it not been for the hope 
I have always cherished that we should be allowed to 
have one more meeting, that perhaps God would let 
her pass gently away with all her children about her, 
I should pray that the end might rather be hastened 
than deferred, for great old age is not a blessing; but 
it is hard to give up this hope — and if I feel it a 
disappointment, what must it be for Agassiz. Poor 
Agassiz! he feels it so bitterly, but he works with the 
greater intensity the more unhappy heis. It is strange, 
but it has always seemed to me that intellectual life 
was to Agassiz what prayer is to others — an act of 
adoration and the nearest approach to a communion 
with God. He turns to it in every trouble and always 
seems to find calm and resignation. 
November 18 
WE have had a very pleasant week since I wrote you 
last, — still awfully busy on account of our “literary 
labors” !! But the guns will soon be fired for the con- 
clusion of the Brazilian book, whether over its un- 
timely grave or for its success remains to be seen. 
The most absolute failure shall not prevent me from 
enjoying the rest and freedom of being fairly rid of 
it. I shall feel as I did when the school was given up; 
