The Agassi z Memorials. 277 



In a note, dated July 21st, he says : I have been 

 completely prostrated this week/' 



Yet notwithstanding this exhaustion (doubtless 

 far beyond what was imagined by his most intimate 

 friends, and, added to this, serious illness among the 

 members of his own family, his son leaving for 

 Europe, on account of his health, the very day upon 

 which the address was delivered). Professor Agassiz 

 most conscientiously devoted himself through the 

 sultriness of an intensely hot midsummer, to the 

 work of preparation. Few are probably aware what 

 a mind like his would, under such circumstances, 

 consider requisite. Nothing was to be taken for 

 granted ; not even the memory of former investiga- 

 tions would be accepted without passing through 

 the process of examination. Every step was to be 

 measured, with critical exactness, through the long 

 progress of Humboldt's scientific career. 



Is there not exemplified in this fact, one of the 

 marked characteristics of Professor Agassiz's mind ? 

 Absolute thoroughness ; sifting every question and 

 principle down to its first elements ; tracing every 

 thought, from its earliest germ through each suc- 

 cessive development, until the final result is reached. 



In order to secure freedom from all interruption 

 during these researches, he asked for a room at the 

 City Library, which was readily granted. Here he 

 could gather about him papers and books which 

 during his absence would remain undisturbed. Mr. 

 Winsor, the efficient and obliging Superintendent, 

 tells me that for more than a month Professor Agassiz 

 passed there at least three or four days of each week^ 



