Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-20
AGASSIZ.

AGASClL.
The illness Of Professor Louis Agassiz called
forth expressions OF regret from the whole
scieuti6c world, and from many who sympathze
with the objects of scientific research, though
themselves unable to take part in them. The
life Of Agassiz may be summed up in that
famous sentence of his that he chad not time
TO make money" His youth and bis age were
alike devoted to the pursuit of truth, and he
sought no market for the sale of what be knew.
Iu our busy world Of money seeking. where TO
make or to lose money not seldom appears to
be ull that is to be considered by men of sense,
his life and labors stand out 10 noble relief. Now
that he has flushed his pure and lofty career
bis vau: to science and the pursuit Of truth
for truth own sake vividly seen, and ske,ch
of the large labors he had undertaken will be
the more interesting.
70 establish, organize aud equip at Cam
bridge museum of natural history IN the
widest sense Of the term had long been fa-
vorite hope with him, aud nucleus was pro-
yided for it by his own industry in collecting,
and bis liberality 10 buyug the collections of
others. In 1852 Harvard University took pos
session of the nucleus, and adopted the plan of
Agassz, and being aided by bequests aud gifts
from Individuals as we'll as by large graut
from the State of Massachusetts, the Professor
at length brought the museum to such pitch
of perfection as is surpassed by uone Of its kind
in the world
To superintend and arrange this museum,
aud to lay on sure foundations the Natural His
tory school on Penikese Island, 10 Boston harbor,
have been the chief objects with AgasSiz during
late years; the chief but not the only objects,
for he accompanied the Hassler on her scieutl-
fc cruise. and made vast additions to the c,l-
lectious of specimens of marine animals. His
hns RI rho and yaIUa-
bic, aud he was announced as having ln prep
aration series Of articles on the theory OF evou
tlun.
The result of his researches into organic life
and the various processes of birth aud growth
of animals and plants places, him in the first
rank of scientific investigators. Idle men, and
some of those buster, as they fancy, whose days
and nights are given to the pursuit OF the dol
lar sometimes affect to decry toe student as an
idle dreamer and the investigator into natures
secrets as theorist and helpless philosopher;
but every luxury aud every safety OF all our
lives whether we be gentle or simple, is ours
only because science has by slow and painful
and many steps shown how they may be at
tanned, and, 10 the merest practical view, there
fore the student, the enquirer and thinker IS
entitled to our highest thanks, even though
his enquiries be on subjects that have no vlsl-
BILE connection with our comfort or our pleasure.
In higher view, iD that view that estimates
the truth aud the right without reference to
any use of them, the pursuit OF truth itself has
ever held the first place, and amongst those
who have sought it, from the hrsr Chaidean
shepherd who mapped the skies. to the latest
observer in the newest station OF tue weather
bureau, there has been none more earnest,
none more devoted to his lofty task than
Louis Agassiz, the man whose epitaph may De
written, as bis biography may be told, 10 his
own words; He had DOT the time to make
money. ."-Novok Nrginian.
SUNDAY IN PARIS Some one who has been
visiting the Champs Elysees on Sunday writes:
"There are various concert gardens and Gales
scattered among the trees 90 either side, Where
open air concerts were 10 progress TO large au-
dieoces The avenue for driving aud promen.-
aiding, which is mile and quarter long, aud
inIlv e' two hundred feet in width, was also
thropped with vehicles, while the lively spec,a.
Gle was being enjoyed by thousands of persons
seated op the iron chairs with which the slce-
walks are lined These chairs are rented tor
two or three sous the hour, they being owned
by company which pays $4,000 francs per
annum to the city for the privilege. The city
also receives $4,000 francs per annum for rents
from the places of amusement. number OF
little carriages, each holding six to nine child
rep, drawn by six goats in harness, were doing
good business, the boys occupying the drlv-
ers,seats and plying the whip With great dex-
terity. AS uight set In all the cafes were bril-
liantly illuminated, the lights of the carriages
on the avenue made it appear as if being pa.
raded by torchlght procession, and bands OF
music ia the convent gardens gave additional
animation to the scene. The circus building
was also illuminated, and the doors thrown
open tor a grand equestrian performance, with
all the usual stale jokes and clap trap pertor-
mances which prove so attractive to young
America.
CONTINGENCIES. The contingent fund OF
the Treasury department for the past few years
is being overhauled, and some curious, not to
say extraordinary, features are exposed and will
have to be explained For instance, 10 single
year 50 600 were expended for carpets, over
$4,000 for ice. :
There are also items for the purchase. OF
horses aud carriages-a very incomprehensyl11,ie IL,
subject 10 the mind of the committee. The
DEPARTMENT is entitled to four horses. and &C
cordng to the accounts it costs tor single
year 81 500 for oats, 5000 for hay, $4,000 tor
care, over $500 for shoeing, $4,000 for repairs
of wagons, 81 900 for repairs OF harness, S400
for repairs Of carriages, one pair of horses S6OO
and carriages $7OO. 1t has reached the atten.
ton of the committee that the appropriation.
for four express horses and two wagons has
been used to cover other horses aud carriages
for the accom- mediation of officials and favored
clerks OF the Department. The committee is
otthe impression, if small matters make such
showing, there may be great reduction In the
larger annronriations - Baltimore Sun. J.