HOME LETTERS. 171 



having delivered a few of my letters, I have 

 never been again, because I cannot, in my 

 position, spare time for visits. . . . Another 

 excellent reason for staying away now is that 

 I have no presentable coat. At M. Cuvier's 

 only am I sufficiently at ease to go in a frock 

 coat. . . . Saturday, a week ago, M. de Fe- 

 russac offered me the editorship of the zoo- 

 logical section of the " Bulletin ; ' it would 

 be worth to me an additional thousand francs, 

 but would require two or three hours' work 

 daily. Write me soon what you think about 

 it. In the midst of all the encouragements 

 which sustain me and renew my ardor, I am 

 depressed by the reverse side of my position. 



This letter drew forth the following one. 



FROM HIS MOTHER. 



CONCISE, March, 1832. 



. . . Much as your letter to your uncle de- 

 lighted us, that to your brother has saddened 

 us. It seems, my dear child, that you are 

 painfully straitened in means. I understand 

 it by personal experience, and in your case I 

 have foreseen it ; it is the cloud which has 

 always darkened your prospects to me. I 

 want to talk to you, my dear Louis, of your 



