1874.1 227 [Waterston. 



through three-quarters of a century; it must be accurate 

 as well as comprehensive, and even Humboldt's most intimate 

 friend could not prepare it without a good deal of care and 

 research. I do not say this because I would dissuade Mr« 

 Agassiz from it ; on the contrary, it seems to me a duty, 

 which, since it arises, he cannot avoid ; and I think he fully 

 intends to undertake r it, though not without many fears lest 

 he should not rise to the grandeur of the occasion. 



" Mr. Agassiz begs me to say that he has the greatest desire 

 to further the project to the utmost of his power, and only 

 fears, as I have said, to fall short of his own wishes, and the 

 expectations of those who are willing to entrust him with 

 such a responsibility." 



On the 3d of July Prof. Agassiz wrote as follows : — 



" For weeks past I have intended every day to write you, 

 but the fact is that just now I have scarcely time to breathe, 

 and with the sincere desire of accepting the invitation ten- 

 dered to me through you, I have been trying to free myself 

 in some degree of the tasks before me. It is not so easy to 

 do this as it seems. 



" However, I write now to say that I will do my best so far 

 as it depends upon me, to make the Anniversary of Hum- 

 boldt worthy of his memory, and servicable to science in the 

 country. The task will be a difficult, and in some respects a 

 painful, one to me, none the less because of my personal rela- 

 tions with him. But I will do my best, and I beg you to 

 believe that the confidence placed in me by those who wish 

 to make this occasion a marked day, has gratified and touched 

 me deeply. 



" I wish you would express this sentiment in my behalf, and 

 add that my great cause of hesitation has been the fear that 

 I might not satisfy the expectations of those who have thus 

 honored me. Believe me, 



" Ever truly yours, 



"Louis Agassiz." 



