344 Ehge of Barmi Cuvier. 



and the more useful details of finance, police, agriculture, and 

 technology. So sensible was he of the advantages of such a 

 branch of education, that he has always lamented that a cor- 

 responding practice has not been established in France. I have 

 oftener than once heard him express his regret at the little as- 

 sistance afforded among us to those who were employed in ac- 

 quiring a knowledge of this subject. 



" Quand la science des lois, dont les tribunaux font Tappli- 

 cation, est partout, disait-il, Tobjet d'etudes pour lesquelles tous 

 les genres de secours et d'encouragemens sont prodigues, d'ou 

 vient qu'on dedaigne, ou au raoins qu'on neglige de fournir a 

 lajeunesse les moyens d'acquerir methodiquement la connais- 

 sance de cette foule de dispositions, de reglemens qui influent si 

 puissamment sur un nombre infini d'interets publics et prives .? 

 d'ou vient qu'on ne s'occupe pas de lui apprendre de la meme 

 maniere les principes sur lesquels repose, ou devrait reposer 

 cette legislation administrative .? Je me plais a rapporter cette 

 vue de M. Cuvier, parce qu'elle indique deja Pattrait que de- 

 vaient avoir pour lui les travaux auxquels il s'est en efFet livre 

 avec tant de zele, toutes les fois que Toccasion lui a ete ofFerte 

 de preter a Tad ministration publique le secours de ses talens et 

 de ses lumieres." 



He had the happiness to find among the teachers composing 

 the faculty which was the object of his predilection, a Professor 

 of Natural History. The name of M. Cuvier's first master in this 

 department deserves to be recorded ; it was Abel ; and the lively 

 interest which he took in the young Frenchman, whose genius 

 he had not failed to perceive, contributed materially to supply 

 the latter with the means of indulging an enthusiastic inclina- 

 tion, which, in the midst of so many different occupations, con- 

 tinually brought him back to the study from which he derived 

 the most tranquil enjoyment ; sometimes engaged in reading and 

 meditating on the works of the great masters in this department 

 of knowledge, at other times in drawing the insects which he 

 met with in his walks, or in forming an herbarium, which speedi- 

 ly acquired a character of importance. Although this favourite 

 occupation was pursued with so much assiduity, it did not pre- 

 vent him obtaining the most decided success in all the studies 

 prescribed by the rules of the Academy ; for, at the termination 

 of the course, he received, in addition to the highest prizes, an 



