Agassiz and Humboldt

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Dr. Gibbes, of Charleston, at a dinner of the Medical Society, recently given, concluded a speech with this anecdote :— When Agassiz first came to this country, he was under the direction of Baron Humboldt, to whom he was largely indebted for aid in his pursuits, and though desirous of remaining here, he felt bound to return to Europe.— Having received the offer of the Lawrence Professorship at Cambridge, he declined it on this account ; but, in writing to his patron, he mentioned this fact, and at the same time expressed a desire to remain longer in the United States. The reply of the noble man was :— Sir, you belong to no country—you belong to Science ; that is your country. You are released from any obligation to us; if you find the field of science furnishes you a better opportunity for your labors in the United States, you must remain there.

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