MEMOIR OF CUVIER. 4l 



ments, and all that her parents could desire, had 

 reached her twenty-second year, the estate of wo- 

 man ; hut she also was taken away 



In her first age's spring, 

 Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde 



and the parent was left childless. The most insi- 

 dious of diseases had, in youth, given one or two 

 alarms, hut for a few years no appearance had re- 

 turned; and it was fondly hoped, that, with her age, 

 she would gather strength. Some exposure, some 

 " slight cold," had renovated the lurking seeds. 

 They appeared in a rapid consumption, and termi- 

 nated fatally in five or six weeks. 



The grief of the parents after this melancholy 

 event, was deep indeed ; but the high principles 

 which were early instilled into Cuvier by his excellent 

 mother, afforded him a sure resource, and enabled 

 him to give that consolation to others which he knew 

 it was his duty to administer; and the important 

 offices by which he was surrounded, with the know- 

 ledge that he lived not for himself alone, allowed 

 him to regain a quiet resignation. While his saloons 

 remained for a time closed, he returned to his studies 

 almost with increased energy ; and the conclusion of 

 the same year saw him earnestly engaged in his 

 great and long projected work on Ichthyology. 



In this new undertaking, Cuvier associated him- 

 self with M. Valenciennes, a well known naturalist ; 

 being conscious that even his own great industry and 

 perseverance could not accomplish all the details 



