108 ELIZABETH CARY AGASSIZ 
sions in a most agreeable manner. If I divide my ad- 
miration equally between you, it is because I feel that 
rare as it is to find a great observer who is also a rea- 
soner and an organizer, it is as rare to find such a mate 
for him as the lady who keeps side by side with our 
Professor in all his travels through the realms of space 
and of thought.” 
Dr. Peabody, to whom we sent it, writes a very cor- 
dial note in which he says, “I have already read enough 
to know how largely all lovers of good letters are in- 
debted to you and Mrs. Agassiz for a work as charm- 
ing as it is instructive and as rich in material as it is 
graceful in execution.” He has seen Agassiz since and 
spoke very warmly about it. I waited with special 
anxiety for Lizzie [Cabot] Lee’s verdict; I trust so 
much to her exquisite instincts in all matters of taste 
and culture, and I thought I could judge by her note 
whether anything had shocked or even displeased 
her. She writes after having read it and says, “It 
seems to me you have avoided all the shoals and quick- 
sands that writers of such books are apt to fall into. 
It has left a charming impression on my mind of hav- 
ing travelled with you, and my dreams are full of 
blue butterflies, passion flowers, paroquets and rush- 
ing torrents.” 
You see all these notes touch upon the points about 
which I was most anxious, and whether the book is 
generally liked or not —is attractive to the public 
I mean — I feel reassured; I feel as if I had not com- 
mitted any gross blunders. 
The book looks well; there is but one very impor- 
