MEMOIK OF CUVIER V60 



It will be recollected tliat tlic functions of secretiuy of tlie Institute were at 

 first temporary. M. Cuvier was called, among the first, to fulfil these functions 

 in liis class, and soon afterwards, in 1803, a new org-anization of the learned 

 body having re-established the perpetuity of these oilices he was chosen per- 

 petual secretary for the ])hysical or natural sciences, with nearlj- entire unanimity. 



It was in this new ca])acity of })erpetual secretary that he coni})osed his mem- 

 orable lieport on the progress of the natural Hcknccs since 1789. Delauibre had 

 been chai'ged with the report on the mathematical sciences, and thus each class 

 of the institute was called upon to present one on the sciences or arts which j'ell 

 within its province. It is well known with what state the Emperor received 

 these reports. The peculiar satisfaction which that of M. Cuvier gave him was 

 expressed by a happy turn of words. " He has praised me," said the imperial 

 personage, '' as I like to be praised." '' And yet," remarks M. Cuvier, " I had 

 done no more than invite him to imitate Alexander, and to make his power 

 instrumental to the progress of natural history." But this sort of praise is pre- 

 cisely that which must most flatter a man who had comprehended all kinds of 

 glory, and would willingl}^ remain a stranger to none. We are at liberty to 

 think, morover, that the praise which has no other object but to induce a sover- 

 eign to do worthy things is not unworthy of a philosopher. 



To all these occupations, as historian of the sciences, perpetual secretary, pro- 

 fessor at the Museum and at the College of France, M. Cuvier added several 

 others. He was named member of the council of the University in 1808, and 

 master of re(piests in 1813. Nor was the Eestoration insensible to his merit. lie 

 preserved his position, and was even invested with new functions. Appointed 

 successively counsellor of state,* president of the commission of the interior, 

 chancellor of public instruction, and finally, in 1831, peer of France ; his genius 

 embraced all orders of ideas and lent itself to all kinds of labor. 



It may well be supposed that he was a mem])er of all the learned Academies 

 of the world j for what Academy could have afforded to omit the inscription of 

 his name on its list i And that which is an honor, of which there Avere few 

 examples befoi'e him, he belonged to three Academies of the Institute, the Acade- 

 mic Fran^aise, the Academy of Sciences, and ihat of Inscriptions and Belles- 

 letters. 



His great renown brought to him, from all parts, whatever occurred in the 

 way of observation and discovery. It was, moreover, in great part his genius, 

 his lectures, his works, which animated all observers, and everywhere created 

 them ; and never could it have been said of any man with mine truth than of 

 him, that nature heard herself everywhere interrogated in his name. Hence 

 there is nothing comparable to the rich collections which he created at the museum, 

 and which were all j)laced in order by him. And when we think of that direct 

 study of rrtyects which was the principal occupation of his life, and through which 

 he has occasioned the outgrowth of so many results, it cannot surprise us that 

 he was often heard to say : " That he believed himself to have been not less 

 useful to science by his collections alone than by all his other works." 



In the course of a career so full of success and of honors, M. Cuvier had sus- 

 tained not a few severe blows. He had Itjst his first two children, either a few 

 days or a lew years after birth ; tlie third, who was a son, died at the age of 

 seven, and all tliese sorrows were renewed, and with far more bitterness, when 

 he lost his daughter, a young lady of rare (qualities, who offered, not onl}- in 

 mind but in features, no faint resemblance to her father. In all the misfortunes 

 of life his consolation was ordinarily sought in redoubled labor; but a consola- 

 tion still more efficacious consisted in the afi'ectionate attentions with which his 

 family, and above all, Madame Cuvier, were sedulous to surround hiui. 



If we consider the numerous public appointments of M. Cuvier, his miinter- 



* Hci was also baron and grand officer of the Legion of Honor. It la well to recall these 

 titles ; a nation honors itseit by thus bestowing theuj. 



