Eloge of' Baron Cuvier. 175 



tion of the nervous system. It may be supposed that the ex- 

 tent of his labours, during the latter years of his hfe, had con- 

 tributed to produce it. All the assistance of art, lavished upon 

 him by men of the greatest skill, was ineffectual, and it soon 

 became apparent that his end was drawing near. 



Every one knows with what courage and serenity he saw it 

 approach. The unremitting care and attention which were be- 

 stowed on him affected him deeply, but did not diminish his 

 courage. Even to the last he permitted those to approach 

 who had been on terms of intimacy with him, and it was thus 

 that I was a witness of his dying moments. Four hours be- 

 fore his death, I was in that memorable cabinet where the 

 happiest hours of his life had been spent, and where I had seen 

 him surrounded with so much homage, enjoying his well merit- 

 ed success ; he caused himself to be carried thither, and wished 

 that his last breath should be drawn there. His countenance 

 was in a state of perfect repose, and never did his noble head 

 appear to me more beautiful, or worthy of admiration ; no alter- 

 ation of a too sensible or painful kind had yet taken place, only 

 a little weakness and difficulty in supporting himself were ob- 

 servable. I held the hand which he had extended to me, while 

 he said in a voice scarcely articulate : — " You see what a 

 difference there is between the man of Tuesday (we had met 

 on that day), and the man of Sunday; yet so many things 

 remain to be done ! Three important works to be published, 

 the materials of which are prepared, and nothing remains for 

 me but to write them."" I made an effort to find some words to 

 express to him the general interest which he excited. '* I love 

 to believe it,"" he replied, " I have long endeavoured to render 

 myself worthy of it.'' 



It will be seen, that his last thoughts were towards the fu- 

 ture, and aspiring after glory, — a noble desire of immortality ! 

 At nine o'clock on the evening of the 1 3th May, he had ceased 

 to live, having reached only the age of sixty-two, although be- 

 longing to a family remarkable for longevity. Shall I mention 

 the profound grief which immediately environed this vast sanc- 

 tuary of science, in the bosom of which his mortal remains re- 

 pose .'' shall I describe his funeral obsequies, which neither the 



