168 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839, 



for a moment the examination of a batch of candi- 

 dates for a vacant professorship by concours ; also 

 the examination of students in the same way ; then I 

 visited the Musee Dupuytren, a surgical museum of 

 great extent ; then went to the He St. Louis (oppo- 

 site the Garden) to call on M. de St. Hilaire ; not at 

 home, so I saved a little time. Next to the Garden ; 

 looked on my way at the animals, the hyenas, lions, 

 giraffe, monkeys, etc., besides a few large snakes ; then 

 called at Mirbel's rooms, who took a great deal of 

 trouble to show me most curious things in vegetable 

 anatomy, but of this I will write to your good papa, 

 who will care much more for it than you. After this 

 I saw Decaisne for a few minutes at the botanical 

 gallery ; took one of the young lads with me ; saw the 

 mineralogical cabinet and that of fossils, which occupy 

 a new and most beautifully arranged gallery. Here 

 I saw many of the famous things I have heard so 

 much of. In the vestibule to this gallery they are 

 preparing a pedestal for a fine and large statue of 

 Cuvier. I went next to Jussieu's house, talked with 

 him for a few minutes, and bid him good-by. On 

 my way home stopped at Balliere's, the bookseller, to 

 transact some business ; home ; dined at half past 

 seven ; went to Webb's, where I like to go of an even- 

 ing, as I get a good cup of tea (no common thing in 

 Paris), which, after such a day's work, was very grate- 

 ful, I assure you ; remained until half past nine ; re- 

 turned here, took up my pen, and voici the result ; 

 and if I do not write plainly and neatly, it is no great 

 wonder, and I trust you will excuse it, for I have 

 other writing to do also this evening. Besides, I must 

 rise at seven, as I expect another very busy day. On 

 my return this evening, I found a polite note from 



