Emerson.] 222 [January 7, 



this country, apparently, more than in any other. , More per- 

 sons leave the cities, as soon as they begin to grow warm and 

 dusty, to enjoy the country or the seaside, the mountains or 

 the lakes ; and they enjoy rationally and heartily. Who has 

 done more than Agassiz to increase this enjoyment ? With 

 thousands, it is becoming not merely the enjoyment but the 

 study of the beautiful. Collections of shells, curious animals, 

 minerals, sea-weeds, and flowers, are becoming, like libraries, 

 not only sources of pleasure to the eye, but of delightful 

 study, whereby a nearer approach is made to the very foun- 

 tain of enjoyment ; we not only see and feel, we begin to un- 

 derstand. The more we see of the uses, of the wonders, of 

 the structure, the more profound is our enjoyment? Who 

 has done more than Agassiz to awaken this enjoyment? 



In 1855, with the aid of Mrs. Agassiz, who, from the be- 

 ginning, did a great deal of the work, Mr. Agassiz opened a 

 school for young ladies. For this he was, in all respects, 

 admirably well qualified. The charm of his manner, his per- 

 fect simplicity, sincerity and warm-heartedness, attracted, 

 every pupil, and won her respect, love and admiration. He 

 knew, almost instinctively, what we teachers have to learn by 

 degrees, that we cannot really attract, control and lead a 

 child, and help to form his habits and character, without first 

 loving him ; that nothing in the world is so powerful as real, 

 disinterested affection. He gave, himself, by lectures most 

 carefully prepared, an hour's instruction, real instruction, 

 every day. All his pupils retain their respect and love for 

 him, and some keep the notes they made of his talks, and 

 read them with delight. The school was continued for seven 

 years, with great success, attracting pupils from distant parts 

 of the country. 



