1/6 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



were the result of many a pleasant hour of thought 

 when things were dark enough around him. /_He 

 was always poor, he married four times, had a large 

 family, and a very small income. His genius led 

 him to investigate other branches of natural science 

 for which his education had not very well preparea 

 him, and he got into disgrace with Napoleon foi' 

 paying attention to meteorology. His patrimonj- 

 and savings were lost in some wild speculation, ana 

 his thorough independence of thought and be-\ 

 haviour did not make him friends with the great 

 and wealthy. His sight failed, and age grew apace, 

 and he may be said to have simply existed fori 

 some years. Strangers and scientific men saw his| 

 state and poverty with surprise and regret ; and 

 their sympathy with Lamarck was redoubled when 

 they observed the fortitude with which the illus- 

 trious old man supported the vicissitudes of fortune, 

 and the failing of his natural powers. They alsp 

 admired the devotion with which he had been abl^ 

 to inspire those of his children who remained unde* 

 his roof. His eldest daughter consecrated her tim^ i 

 to the duties of filial love for many years, never 

 quitting her father for an instant, lending herself to 

 every study which could in any way supply th: 

 defect of his vision, writing under his dictation 

 part of his last works, accompanying him, and sup- 

 porting him when he was able to take any exercise, 

 and enduring sacrifices greater than could be ex4 

 pressed for his sake. When the father could nq 

 longer leave his chamber, the daughter no longer 



