Biographical Memoir of' M. Corvisart. 17 



nate man, who, amid all his amusements, was capable of leaving 

 such a monument. 



It is asked, and the question naturally suggests itself with 

 respect to many others, if, on the frequent occasions when pro- 

 fessional duty brought him near a man whose power was unli- 

 mited *, he had not some opportunities of giving him advice that 

 might have been useful to himself, and have perhaps spared 

 some of the blood of Europe ? It is certain that he did not al- 

 low himself to sink so much as many personages who appeared 

 externally in a higher position, and that whenever, for example, 

 the master shewed a disposition to banter him on his profession, 

 a smart reply quickly checked the attempt ; but it is also cer- 

 tain, that he never conversed about any thing of general interest. 

 On matters of indifference, every familiarity was allowed him ; 

 but a cold look, or a harsh word, stopped him the moment he 

 tried to break this circle. He himself related, that, at the pe- 

 riod of a birth, which, coming especially from such a marriage, 

 seemed calculated to satisfy the most ambitious hopes, he per- 

 mitted himself to ask if any thing more could be desired. Tou- 

 jours Champenois Docteur ! was the only reply he received, and 

 the speaker turned his back. 



M. Corvisart had applied on himself his inexorable talent of 

 foresight, and had obtained from it but a very melancholy 

 augury. His conformation, and the instance of his father, had 

 given him a presentiment of the apoplexy which threatened 

 him, and which did not fail to come on nearly at the time that 

 he had foretold it. This cruel disease at first only affected his 

 motions; his judgment remained sound, and the first use which 

 he made of it was to renounce all exercise of his art, and give 

 himself up entirely to repose. But this precaution delayed only 

 for a very short time an attack which proved fatal. He died 

 on the 18th September 1821, leaving no family. 



His place in the Academy of Sciences has been filled up by 

 M. Magendie, and his chair in the College of France had for 

 •several years been occupied by M. Halle. 



* Bonaparte. 

 OCTOBEU DECEMBEE 1829. B 



