22 MEMOIR OF CUVIER. 



opinion, a duty which he afterwards for many years 

 performed with great clearness, in the more matured 

 Academy of Paris. In this simple trait of youth was 

 marked the ability which he afterwards so eminently 

 possessed, of condensing any subject under discus- 

 sion, and seizing only upon the important points. 



The circumstances of his parents were such, that 

 the young Cuvier could neither follow his own in- 

 clinations to study Nature, and the sciences allied to 

 her, nor was he at liberty to choose one profession in 

 preference to another. The connexion of his uncle 

 with the church allowed a hope that he might there 

 succeed in obtaining preferment, and it was arranged 

 that he should be placed at a free school in Tubingen, 

 arid commence his ecclesiastical studies, when a 

 fortunate circumstance changed the tide of his af- 

 fairs, and placed him for a time in a situation, where 

 talent would raise him, and his choice of a profession 

 would be free. 



Prince Charles of Wurtemberg, being on a visit 

 to Montbeliard, heard from his sister high enco- 

 miums of the abilities of Cuvier ; he sent for him, 

 and, pleased with his answers and performances, re- 

 solved to enrol him in the University of Stutgard at 

 his own expense, and to place him in the Academic 

 Caroline. At the age of fourteen, Cuvier, for the 

 first time, left his home and mother's care ; and ne- 

 ver, writes Mrs Lee, did he forget the three days 

 journey from Montbeliard to Stutgard. " He was 

 seated between the chamberlain and secretary of the 



