Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-06
THE FAMILY OF PROP. AGAss1z

THE FAMILY OF PROF. AGAssIZ.
The following sketches are from the
recently published volumes of Prof. Sill
man
The distinguished Swiss naturalist,
now adopted among us in the United
States, whose American home is in Cam
bridge, New England. formerly lived at
Lausanne, Switzerland. where we found
his sister and his mother. who resides
with her son. introduced by Agassiz,
we soon found our way to the house Of
NJ. Francillon, the brother-in-law of Agas-
slz. We were conducted by valet to
parlor in the third story, and soon Ma
dame FranGillon appeared, with a smiling
face and brilliant black eyes, the softened
features of her brother; she gave us
hearty welcome, which was promptly
repeated by her husband. who soon came
in. He Is NJ. Francillon Agossi-. accord
ing to custom which prevails here
while the wife, as with us, takes the name
Of her husband: if the lady he of high
standing i'll society. she adds her own
name to her husbands.
1t was near the hour of the evening
repast, and we soon perceived a movement
of hospitality. A centre table was, in q
few minutes, garnished with the requisite
furniture, and we were drawn around the
hOspitable board as if it were matter of
course, and needed no formal invitation.
Excellent bread and butter, and the best
of raspberries, now in full season here,
with the luxury of cream in our finely
Favored tea, gave us, exactly as i'll New
England, a most refreshing repast; espe-
cially TO me, to whom tea is a cordial.
They have lovely flock CT children,
beautiful group, seven in number: the
Youngest, a--plump, joyous little fellow,
full of physical happiness, with promise
of mental enjoyment as his higher powers
unfold.
Mother Of Aeussi.. it was
raining, orr new friends took us con-
siderable distance to the residence of this
venerable lady in the family of her son.
She soon made her appearance, and al
though nearly four score, her beautiful
person was erect, tall and dignitied, while
us instantly at ease. Madame FranGiIlon
had sent before us her brothers intro
ductory note by her little son, lad Of ten
years grandma had mis,aid her specta-
cles and could not read the note: she
said, however, that her young grandson
was faithful commissioners, and told
her that two American gentlemen and
lady were coming, in a few minutes, to
see her, and she felt at once convinced
hof Ia, 81 h.. I
AS soon as we explained to her our init
macy with him-that he had been often
a guest in our familics-that we had the
pleasure of knowing his interesting Am
erican wife-and when we added the
friendly notice of her sons domestic hap
piness, and of his high standing and sue
cess in his adopted country, her strong
frame was agitated, her voice tremblcd
with emotion, and the flowing tears told
chilled by age.
A beautiful group of lovely grand-chil-
dren were gathered around to see ard
hear the strangers from a far-distant
land, beyond the great ocean. When
we inquired of Madame Agassiz her entire
number of grandchildren, she replied tif-
teen; and when she was informed my
whole number exceeded hers, she was
both amused and surprised, and smiles of
sympathy succeeded to tears for she had
considered me-from my being still an
active traveller-a younger man than |
am. She is the widow of Protestant
clergyman, who was the father Of Agas-
siz. She has vigorous mind, speaks
with great spirit, and is a mother worthy
of such son. She was grieved when she
heard that our stay was to be very brief,
and would hardly be denied that we
should become guests at her house or,
at least, that the senior of the party should
accept her hospitality.
The next morning she came walking
alone, long distance in the rain, to bid
us farewell, and parted, evidently with
deep emotion, and not concealed, for we
had brought the image of her favorite
son near to her mental vision again. She
brought for Mrs. S. a little boquet of pam
sizes, and bid us tell her son her pdnsees
were all for him.
Such scenes come near to every benev-
olent heart, and prove that human sym
pathies have moral magnetism whose
attraction is universal. | value highly
the art of statuary, but prize more high
| ly still such a family scene as this; q