New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-19
HOW HE PLANNED HIS CAREER.

He made this proposition 10 his father when only
twenty years old: If during the of my
studies I succeed in making myself known by a
work of distinction. Will you not then consent that
I shall study. at least during year. the natural
sciences alone, and then accept professorshp of
natural history with the understdn ding that in the
first place and In the time agreed upon shall take
my doctors deGree?" This purpose he allowed
carry out and he got the degree of Phi. n. and
had 1t inscribed the title page of work devoted
Brazilian fishes when only twenty-one. Later
he took his degree in medicine he had planned.
OF his purpose in lifo ne wrote II wish IL may be
said of Louis Agassiz that he the first natur-
alist OF HIS time, good citizen and good son.
beloved of those who knew him
After graduating in medicine he sought 10 build
up practice but drawn Paris as the CEN
tire of scientific thought where he brought into
association with the master minds of Cuvler and
Humboldt. The former turned to the young
scientist the material he mad gathered for a work
fossil fishes and aided Agassiz in carrying out
his plans Humboldt gave AGassiz both the finan-
cial assistance and the mental encoura cement he
needed to press in his career and aided him in
securing the professorship at Neuchatel where the
Swiss scientist put In thirteen years of important
work and valuable study.
This story Is told OF the youthful professor:
Among the visitors 10 Neuchatel was Leopold Won
Buch, the well known seoloSist OF Berlin, an add
l am in NeuchAtel ana | knock at the door Of
companion. Il dread" said Won Buch. lest he
take for species
II while in Neuchatel that AGassiZ made the
Investigations of glaciers in the Alps which threw
so much light on the ice age in Europe and save
him reputation as a geOlogst Well zooQ-
gist. When he paid his first visit to England in
1884, where the Woiaston prize for scientific re-
search had been awarded to him. he subjected
10 a remarkable test. He was known author
ity on fossil fishes. of which new specimen had
just been found in stratum of such ancient rock
that fossil remains had been believed exist
In II. At scientific meeting Agasslz who was In
ignorance of the discovery. asked TO describe
possible fish from such rock. lie To a black
board ana drew the OUtllneaOI possible fish AS In
took form there applause and the original 81
the fish he had Imagined was shown the two CORE
spending exactly.
In his scientific Investigations Agassiz was con-
tiu0al.y mourning expenses in advance of his in
come. and when his mind was turned to trip TO
this country. in 1873 he TO a friend: DO
You think any position viii be open TO me in the
United States where might earn enough to enable
me 10 continue the publication OF my unhappy
books which never pay their way because they do
not meet the wants OF the world?'
Three years later the opportunity came in an
ofrer Tor course OF lectures before the lowell
inst tate, in Boston, and the tender $1,000 francs
by the King OF Prussia for scientific Investigations.
or his purpose he wrote to friend: In order L,
prepare Tor the extra expense. shall be obliged TO