The Agassiz Memorials. 



231 



the claims of Agassiz to scientific renown, while I 

 am to dwell upon his claims to popular regard, or 

 rather upon his character, as a teacher, and the influ- 

 ence he has exerted upon American Education. 



It will be generally admitted that, among all the 

 teachers of the land, he has held the foremost place. 

 Notwithstanding that ours was to him a foreign 

 tongue, that he grew up to the prime of life under 

 European institutions, and that the subjects which 

 he taught were quite remote from what are called 

 the practical " wants of the Americans, he always 

 spoke among us with that extraordinary power of 

 adaptation, that easy self-possession, that rare adjust- 

 ment of thoughts and words to the occasion, which 

 constitutes true eloquence — which attracts, enlight- 

 ens, delights, and persuades. Before the Legislature 

 of Massachusetts or the National Academy of 

 Sciences, in the college lecture-room or in the 

 teachers' institute, on the public platform or in the 

 private parlor, in the open field or on the vessel's 

 deck, he was always the same — ready, graceful, 

 enthusiastic, earnest, suggestive, and instructive. 

 He delighted to learn, that he might teach ; to teach, 

 that he might learn. 



When such a man departs, old, honoured, un- 

 sullied, and beloved, it is well to inquire into 

 the antecedents of his character, the elements of 

 his renown. 



It is not every teacher who is endowed with a good 

 constitution, neither too nervous, nor too phlegmatic. 

 Agassiz was fortunate in his physical character, his 

 noble figure, his beaming countenance, his elastic 



