The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-09-06
Professor AgaZzis.

From letter of correspondent of the
South Carolinan, we copy the following
of this eminent naturalist:
While at Nahant we visited the distin-
guished naturalist, Agassiz, who, in his
SUMMER cottage, with the cool brec1es of
the ocean playing upon him, continues his
scientific labors tor the benefit OF his fellow
man. We found him busy with minute
cissections ot the dctiniG, making draw
lngs OF the animals which inhabit the
shells of the echinJ derns. We had the
pleasure Of seeing the minute structure
of these Curious specimens of Iiaturt's
fandiwo:k, ahd witnessin !. the mDtions of
animals, which arc usually regarded as
liked, because they appear firmly attach
cd TO ordinary observers. The professor
Is engaged IN the preparation o.: his second
volume OF his classification Of the animal
Kingdom, and expects It will include The
whole aud be shortly completed Upon
mentioning the anxiety which exist as TO
the result OF his investigation Of other sub.
Jects which It was hoped would have been
published ere this. he replied that the
true interest ot'sc.cncc required steady,
long. and minute study--that" he never
regretted delay IN Publishing his laBdfs,
but often haste. While "a suhjdct rave
hope of being further improved, he pre-.
terrcdto postpone given" results, az riicre
description Of facts ard phenomena are
no, sc'cnce-bu, their relations, inhucn-
ccs and effects in the great scale Of crea.
t'on are to be considered and carefully d.
seslcd before they can be properly recor.
del for prominent use. -
The na,uraIss OF Europe not unfre.
qncntly occupy six or seven voars in in
vcs,igaung single subject, and the effect
is that their results are positive knowledge.
While on visit to Columbia few wears
since he had the first opportunity'of study
ing the negro race, and bad specimens of
native Africans to commence with. He
has since had frequent means Of carrying
on his inquiries, and with satisfactory re-
suits. He is thoroughly satisfied Of the
existence Of anatomical characlcfs SO pc.
culIar to them, that there is distinctan
from the Caucasi,n, and that the brain is
easily distinguished by marked characters
Some Of his opinions, formed from the
physical Investigations, have beoni given
in DR.. Motts and GlnIdon's "Iypcs Of
Mankind" work which, as far SC ccnce is
concerned. should have been confined to
Inc scientific and historical inquiry alone
Il will probably be many years before
This question will be settled.
Pr"'"sscr Agg.ss;. !u.:s,s :G G::a health
though he saya typhnid fever in 1852
has derangcd his nervous system, and he
finds that he has not fully recovered. His
mental occ ctiupaas,ion is no, as long continued
as before without its fntiguiug him, an,
his sleep has not been AN r''ireshing.-
S.nce he has been at Nahant, however. he
ls linpIoylp..
We are pleased to hear from him as
most excellent account OF young South
CarolnIan from Sumter District. Manly
Richardson t'|r just graduated 1t the Law.
renee Scientific School with tho hi,.bcs,
honor in the department oi engineering
fhrre arc three hnn1rs usually given. The
third to those who have studied well and
made a good proficiency. aud are Of cor
rect conduct the second TO others who
have gained u full professional education
in the several elementary branches and
the first honor is only given 10 those who
have made themselves capable of attend
ing, AS soon as they leave. 10 tn: highest
duties required oi An engineer. I'hc first
honor, there orc, Is a recommendation for
the highest post OF cn.incc1ing. Tue cx-
animation ~ publ c, aud l,c presence oi
the whole tacnt Mr. Isichn!Ison acluil
ted himself with great credit.
There is no specified course a. to tr..c
Of preparation. liza candidate is dlIllIlir,!
he Is encouraged To come iorw.:.! aud pre-.
sent himself for graduatr II, and the lac,
"f only five graduating "ut ui seventy.
shows the severe ordcl! the cxaInina-
ton.