20 Baron Cuvier's Eloge of 



concealed from the whole world, and which gave him some re- 

 lief by news of his country and family. If he did not accom- 

 plish his liberty, it was not for want of employing all the means 

 imaginable with the government which detained him with so 

 much injustice. And what he did for our countrymen, he was 

 not less zealous to demand for his own. Every one is aware of 

 that other violation of the right of nations, by which thousands 

 of Englishmen residing, or peaceably travelling, in France, were 

 declared prisoners of war. Sir Joseph hastened to find out all 

 those in favour of whom some scientific occupation or title could 

 be alleged ; it was through the Institute that he was enabled to 

 make the claim, and the Institute was not less eager than him- 

 self in the use of this pretext. Thus were several persons 

 worthy of esteem rescued from a captivity which might perhaps 

 have been fatal to them. 



Assuredly he who thus uses his influence, has every right to 

 watch that it remain untouched ; it is even his duty to do so ; 

 and in this universal struggle for power, when chance has 

 brought some portion into the hands of a man animated with 

 such sentiments, should he neglect to preserve it, society in 

 general would have a right to complain. This is the only an- 

 swer which Sir Joseph's friends can have to make to what might 

 be said against the jealous care with which he prevented what- 

 ever might weaken the consideration of his place, or excite dis- 

 cord in his Society. Sometimes, we admit, his precautions might 

 have appeared extravagant ; but, attacked so often by exas- 

 perated men, had he not reason to dread, that a moment of re- 

 laxation might grant them success ? The mere fact of having 

 replied with some politeness to the Institute, which in 1802 

 named him a foreign associate, reawoke all the fury of Dr 

 Horsley, who seemed to have forgotten him for fifteen years, 

 and whose age, and episcopal dignity, ought to have inspired 

 more moderation. He wrote a virulent pamphlet against Sir 

 Joseph Banks, and after his death, left inheritors of his hatred 

 which the death of Sir Joseph himself could not calm. 



Considering ourselves capable of forming as impartial a judg- 

 ment as posterity, we think it our duty to offer the unreserved 

 tribute of praise to the courage in Sir Joseph Banks, which en- 

 gaged him in so many perilous enterprises ; the whole use which 



