Death of Cuvier. 213 



nity of intellectual studies, which was one of his most vivid im- 

 pressions. It is to this elevated sentiment that we may refer 

 the impartiality of his eulogies, of his explanations, and of his 

 opinions on literature and science, the distance which he always 

 kept from every intrigue whatever, and the zeal which he carried 

 to all the duties confided to him, the ardour with which he en- 

 couraged and protected young men of promising talents, and the 

 noble disinterestedness with which he spared no expense for the 

 development of his works of science. 



His varied talents are best proved by the influence he had on 

 Natural History. It may almost be said he had created, so 

 much had he improved, the Cabinet of Comparative Anatomy, 

 certainly one of the most admirable departments of the Museum 

 of Natural History at Paris, which attracts the admiration of all 

 Europe. Placed frequently by the choice of his colleagues at 

 the head of this estabhshment, he powerfully contributed to its 

 progress, and carried into its general details that activity and 

 that order which distinguished him. Called to co-operate in the 

 direction of the public instruction, at first as Inspector of the 

 University, since as Member of the Council for Public Instruc- 

 tion, as Chancellor, as Superior of diflPerent Faculties, — every- 

 where he made himself remarkable for the same qualities. His 

 remarks on the primary instruction of Holland, is a monument 

 of his solicitude for popular instruction ; and all those who have 

 watched the effect of his arrangements in the higher studies, 

 know how much he befriended their progress, and how much of 

 evil he corrected. This last kind of service, less known than the 

 others, proves the elevated mind which disdains the applause of 

 the moment for the real benefit of the future. 



He advanced gradually in the field of civil administration, as 

 Master of Requests, Councillor of State, President of the Section 

 of the Interior, Director of Protestant Worship, and at last Peer 

 of France, thus making the round of the administrative functions, 

 with exception of Censor, which he nobly refused when they wished 

 to bestow it. He maintained in all these situations that superio- 

 rity which no person could contest with him. He was so well 

 acquainted with the laws, the regulations, and the least official 

 acts, that his colleagues left the whole of the administration to 



