178 



Louis Agassiz. 



widespread comment and regret throughout the 

 civilised world. The people, irrespective of sect or 

 class, recognised the fact that one of the great figures, 

 not only of the century, but of the age, had passed 

 away. 



For a long time,'' wrote Professor Silliman, 

 " have we dreaded the sad event which we now record. 

 For many years the splendid physique of Agassiz 

 manifested signs that his prodigious labours were 

 overcoming his elasticity. His herculean strength, 

 which made fatigue of body or mind unknown to 

 him, yielded to the severer tax of the American 

 climate and the incessant growing demands upon 

 him from every source. His life and strength were 

 renewed by his long voyage to San Francisco in the 

 Hassler ; but both he and his friends recognised the 

 fact that to labour with his former activity was im- 

 possible and forbidden. Yet to live, was for him 

 unavoidably to labour ; and to die in the harness 

 rather than to live after the power to serve his fellow- 

 men was passed — his aspiration.'* 



