Life in Cambridge. 107 



ceived touched him more, as he still remembered how 

 far above him seemed this chair when a few years 

 before he was a struggling student in the great city 

 of Cuvier and Humboldt. Agassiz refused this hon- 

 our which was later renewed with the proviso that 

 he should accept at his own convenience. But he 

 remained firm, and his French admirers gave up the 

 attempt, and later the Order of the Legion of Honour 

 was conferred upon him, showing the esteem in 

 which the Emperor held him. It was reported at 

 this time, and with truth, that Agassiz had written 

 to a friend, " Were I offered absolute power for 

 the reorganisation of the Jardin des Plantes^ with 

 a revenue of fifty thousand francs, I should not 

 accept it. I like my independence better." 



This and the fact that he continued to refuse these 

 honours aroused, if possible, a stronger feeling for him 

 in the hearts of American people. He had become 

 one of them ; was now an American scientist, teacher, 

 and patriot. The increased attention which was 

 given him aided in the accompHshment of his hearths 

 desire, which was the founding of a great museum. 

 He spent much time in planning this museum 

 which was to be, as everything he formulated, 

 instructive, broadening, object-teaching. With his 

 friends he discussed his plans, and upon the death 

 of Francis C. Gray, fifty thousand dollars was 

 bequeathed for the estabhshment of a museum 

 on the plan of his friend Agassiz. Among other 

 conditions was the following : That neither the 

 collections nor any building which may contain the 

 same shall ever be designated by any other name 



