VIII 



THE DEATH OF AGASSIZ— HIS 

 PERSONALITY 1 



IN later years the robust constitution and 

 herculean frame of Agassiz showed the 

 effects of his extraordinary and multi- 

 farious labors, for it must be confessed that he 

 was not careful of his bodily welfare. In the 

 year 1869 he suffered a temporary break- 

 down of a very threatening sort, and for months 

 was in seclusion, forbidden by his medical 

 advisers even to think. His own wise efforts, 

 and a quiet spring passed in the village of 

 Deerfield, Connecticut, brought about his re- 

 covery, so that three years of activity were 



1 The materials for this sketch are drawn from several 

 sources — chiefly the Life by Marcou (which I have used 

 with some caution) and the Life by Mrs. Agassiz. I had 

 wished to preserve the words of Marcou throughout (with 

 judicious omissions), but this wish was defeated by certain 

 persons who, for reasons unknown to me, have the power to 

 prevent the use of adequate quotations from him. I have 

 followed him where I had no other guide, and no ground for 

 suspecting him of bias. The composition, and to some 

 extent the interpretation of the facts, are my own. 



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