Biographical Memoir of M. Daubentoh. I# 



also employed as a contributor to the Journal des Savaris ; and 

 in his last years, at the request of the Committee of Public In- 

 struction, he undertook to compose Elements of Natural History 

 for the use of the higher schools. These Elements were never 

 finished. 



It may be asked how, with a weak habit of body, and so 

 many laborious occupations, he could have attained so advan- 

 ced an old age without painful infirmities. For this he was in- 

 debted to an ingenious study of himself, an attention calculated 

 equally to avoid excesses of the body and mind. His regimen, 

 without being severe, was very uniform ; having always lived 

 in easy circumstances, and not holding fortune and grandeur in 

 higher estimation than they merit, he had little desire for them. 

 He had especially the strength of mind to avoid the rock on 

 which almost all literary men are apt to suffer shipwreck, an in- 

 temperate passion for a premature reputation ; his researches 

 were to him an amusement rather than a labour. Part of his 

 time was employed in reading romances, tales, and other light 

 works, with his wife ; the more frivolous productions of out 

 days were read by him : he called this mettre son esprit cL la 

 diete. 



Unquestionably this regular mode of living, and his constant 

 good health, contributed much to the amenity which rendered 

 his society so agreeable; but another trait in his character, 

 which did not Less contribute to this effect, and which struck all 

 who came near him, was the good opinion which he appeared to 

 have of men. ^i 



It seemed naturally to arise from the circumstance that he 

 had seen little of them, — that, being solely occupied with the 

 contemplation of nature, he never took part in the plans and 

 movements of the active portion of society. This man, possessed 

 of so delicate a tact in distinguishing error, never had the air of 

 supposing deceit ; he always experienced new surprize when the 

 intrigue or selfishness, concealed under a fair exterior, were un- 

 veiled to him. Whether this disposition was natural to him, or 

 whether he had voluntarily renounced the knowledge of men, to 

 spare himself the pain and disgust which those feel who know 

 them too well, it did not the less diffuse over his conversation a 

 tone of good nature, so much the more amiable that it contrast- 

 ed strongly with the intellect and acuteness which he carried into 



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