Chapter 17: 1852-1855: Aet. 45-48.
- Return to Cambridge. -- anxiety about collections. -- purchase of collections. -- second winter in Charleston. Illness. -- letter to James D. Dana concerning geographical distribution and geological succession of animals. -- resignation of Charleston professorship. -- propositions from Zurich. -- letter to Oswald Heer. -- decision to remain in Cambridge. -- letters to James D. Dana, S. S. Haldeman, and others respecting collections illustrative of the distribution of fishes, shells, etc., in our rivers. -- establishment of schools for girls.
Agassiz returned from Charleston to Cambridge in the early spring, pausing in Washington to deliver a course of lectures before the Smithsonian Institution. By this time he had become intimate with Professor Henry, at whose hospitable house he and his family were staying during their visit at Washington. He had the warmest sympathy not only with Professor Henry's scientific work and character, but also with his views regarding the Smithsonian Institution, of which he had become the Superintendent shortly after Agassiz arrived in this country. Agassiz himself was soon appointed one of the Regents of the
