BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF ISAAC LEA, LL. D. XV 



a time, Mr. Lea went on and was joined by Mr. Cooper in the autuniD. 

 In a letter from Vevay, dated May 26, 1832, stating the time he would 

 leave there, Mr. Cooper wrote as follows : 



" The comparison between Europe and America is not easily made. In many things 

 wLicli are the inevitable consequence of time and a dense population, this quarter 

 of the world has the advantage, but the balance is, in my opinion, immensely in our 

 favor. In moral civilization and in common sense, we are a century in advance of 

 the best of them. The time will come when our notions will come in fashion, and, 

 allowing for the omissions that are part of the plan, the book will become authority."* 

 ' ' I have only to develop its opinions and support what I have said by a citation of facts 

 and reasons that are at my fingers' end, to give it vogue in six months. But I have 

 higher views. *• * * It is my intention to return home in the spring, or rather 

 in June next. The age of my children requires this of me, for no consideration 

 would induce me to establish one of them in Europe." 



Soon after Mr. Lea's arrival iu Paris he called to see General Bernard^ 

 with whom he had been well acquainted in the United States, during 

 his several years' service in the Army as chief of the Engineer Corps. 

 At this time he was the war minister of Louis Philippe. From him Mr. 

 Lea learned many things of the workings of the Government not gen- 

 erally understood. Before leaving Paris in the autumn he addressed 

 the following note to Mr. Lea: 



Pakis, October 12, 1832. 

 Dear Sir : I intended to call on you and present to yourself and family my respects, 

 but, being under pressure of business, I could not find one moment to do it. 



I have received a lettei', iu which General La Fayette complains of your having 

 not yet visted him ut La Grange.^ He insists, and requests me that I should inform 

 you, that it will be for him a great pleasure to receive you at La Grange before your 

 departure for America. 



Make my best compliments acceptable to Mrs. Lea, and be so kind as to receive the 

 expression of my best respects and of my distinguished consideration. 

 Your devoted servant, 



BERNARD. 



Mr. Lea had been introduced to La Fayette on his visit to the United 

 States, and had called at his residence in Paris, but he had gone to La 

 Grange. 



He also called on Baron Ferussac, the best authority in Paris on ter- 

 restrial and fluviatile mollusca. He was received with great politeness, 

 and they talked over their favorite subject, the Unionidw, for two hours. 

 The baron was at tliat time engaged in iireparing his great work on 

 the Unionidce, embracing those known in all countries. It was to be 

 folio size, and equal in elegance to his work on the Helices. He showed 

 Mr. Lea some of the drawings, which were very fine. The latter had 

 XJublished his first two memoirs, which Baron Ferussac had received, 

 and he complimented Mr. Lea by saying that he could not go on with 

 his work until he (Mr. Lea) had finished his memoirs. The subject was 

 continued by Mr. Lea, who published thirteen quarto volumes. The 



*The book referred to was a work which Mr. Cooper .was preparing, which was 

 published by Mr. Lea's house. 



