The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-01-15
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AGASSIZ.
INCIDENTS IN HIS LIFE.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Dec. 17.-Cam
bridge had no greater light in her 6rma
ment than the one which death extinguish
ed on Sunday night. 1t is loss not only
oS.ksht, but of warmth. Somehow, when
you passed by Agassiz's house, you felt
less in need of your overeoat than when
you passed the doors of certain notables
who live in and around Boston. 1t was
always sunshine when AgassiE was near
He was one whom the common people
heard gladly" He had kind word and q
bean,ing face for everybody, and he i'm
parted to others something Of his own JOY
Gus mood. He had his sorrowtul moments.
his occasions Of anxiety, when the expires.
sion of his face took painful significance,
and one could see that there was some bur-
den pressing upon him; but let him meet
friend. especially child, and the
shadow fed from his face so quickly that
in the after-warmth you forgot there had
been any there Grasp his hand, and you
never found it cold.
1t was this greatness of heart that caus-
ed him to make such host of friends and
acquaintance among all classes. He was
one Of those men whom, when sick, the
butcher, the baker, the grocery man and
the laborer, always ask about. He was a
great lover of children. He was constant
ly speaking to them in the streets, and ca.
ressing them. not from affectation or desire
to be popular, but because he could not
help it. His grandchildren, George and
Max, were always running over to see
grandpa, and grandpa was always glad to
see them. Ifgrandpa had had the entire
training Of them, perhaps there would
have been some spoiled children.
A friend tells me fan instance. which
we'll illustrates his tenderness for children.
Once while conducting some scientific ex-
pertinent, it became necessary to have some
water, Immediately. Agassiz seized
pitcher and ran out to pump near by
He went out quickly, but Was slow i'll
coming back. They waited twice as long
for the water as would have sufficed to
bring it, aud then went out to see what
was the matter. There sat Agassiz down
by the pump, his legs crossed, and little
child, which he was fondly caressing, mes
tied in between them. In his haste at
the pump he had accidentally struck the
child which was standing near by. Though
the blow was Of little account, the cxigcn
cies of science seemed the less important,
and he had to put down his pitcher and
open his heart When deeply engaged in
scientific Investigations, he would leave
his work, seize and fondls child that had
strayed into his room, and the interrupted
mental process seemed to be resumed with
out difficulty.
Agassiz was philanthropist by nature
He was fond of "doing good as he had
opportunity"
".Who can I get to make some drawings
for Inc ?" I once asked
"Take --, he is a good draughtsman,
and he needs the money; it will help him
along"
One day, from my window, | noticed
horse and buggy standing in the street
The horse had been carelessly hitchcd, had
worked himself loose, and having moved
little way of in the street, seemed inclined
to go off with an empty wagon. A student
and minister fthe gospel in turn passed
that way, but neither made any effort to
keep the horse from straying. Presently
I saw Agassiz coming down the avenue,
apparently absorbed in deep thought, his
eye bent upon the ground. He stopped
when he got to the horse, and without
seeming to take his mind off the subject
with which he was engaged, picked up the
hitching strap, tied the horse, and went
on, leaving the owner ignorant that any
body had done him favor.
1t is one of the traditions among the
old bellies Of Cambridge, that when Agas-
siz came there, he was regarded as one OF
the handsomest men they had ever seen,
the tradition does not need much testlmo'
ny, for even to the day of his death, he
was handsome, especially whom he smiled.
His personal attractions, geniality and
attention to little courtesies, always made
him favorite with the ladies. They at
tended his school in large numbers. There
was not great deal of discipline there
The rule was that they must speak IN
French, but there was deal of whisper