FRIENDS AND COADJUTORS AT PARIS. 25 



with Humboldt. Born in Paris in the year 1794, he was the 

 author before attaining his twenty-fifth year of several 

 treatises on zoological subjects, and had written the Introduc- 

 tion to Humboldt's ' Observations de Zoologie,' through which 

 was laid the foundation of the cordial friendship existing 

 between them. To him, in conjunction with Cuvier, was 

 entrusted the editorship of the ' Histoire des Poissons,' a task 

 he accomplished in a manner so able as to add greatly to his 

 renown. In after years Humboldt showed marked interest in 

 his fortunes, and in the tone of an old bachelor who sees a 

 young friend burdened with a large family, he alludes to him 

 on one occasion as one ' qui a eu 1'imprudent courage de se 

 marier.' On this account he sought to procure for him some 

 remunerative employment, and furnished his friend with the 

 following recommendation to Gruizot, in a letter of considerable 

 political interest, dated Berlin, February 11, 1840. 1 After a 

 masterly introduction, in which he expatiates with grief and fore- 

 boding upon the restless disquiet agitating European politics, 

 Humboldt proceeds to mention his ' anxiety concerning the 

 position of my friend and fellow-labourer, M. Valenciennes, the 

 favourite pupil of Cuvier, and one who well deserves that dis- 

 tinction. I am aware that M. Valenciennes, who has been 

 my coadjutor for the last twenty years in the publication of 

 my works, has already the honour of your acquaintance. He 

 is distinguished as much by the extent and variety of his know- 

 ledge as by the delicacy of his feelings ; he is, moreover, an 

 excellent classic, and has studied the fine arts under the 

 instruction of his uncle, the well-known landscape painter. 

 He is known and appreciated in Germany ; he was with me 

 at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, and on several occasions 

 at Berlin, where he was honoured by marks of distinction from 

 the present king. Now my friend M. Valenciennes as not 

 unfrequently happens with men of scientific celebrity, even 

 in your magnificent France is in a position of some pecuniary 

 .embarrassment. His family consists of three children, and he 

 has sisters and other relatives almost wholly dependent upon 

 him, in addition to which one or other of his household are 



1 De la Roquette, vol. ii. p. 180. 



