198 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



written of Cuvicr's domestic life, it could not have 

 been very enjoyable by those around him, and yet 

 it was the kind of life which has to be led by most 

 prominent men in science, art, and literature. 

 Work, everlasting work, with but little relaxation. 

 He certainly wasted no time. Before and after 

 breakfast he saw anybody who wished to have an 

 audience of him. By seven in the morning he was 

 dressed, and began preparing his day's work and 

 that of his assistants, so that by ten o'clock, when 

 he breakfasted, he had time to look at the news- 

 papers, to read correspondence, and look over any 

 particular works. After breakfast he dressed for the 

 day and began work. His carriage was punctual 

 to a moment, and no one was allowed to keep him 

 waiting. When the ladies were to accompany him, 

 they made a point of being as exact to time as was 

 possible ; and he seems to have enjoyed the sight 

 of his womankind rushing downstairs with their 

 shawls streaming after them and their gloves half 

 on their hands. The instant he had given his 

 orders he would thrust himself into a corner of the 

 carriage and set to work reading, but suffered the 

 ladies to talk as much as they pleased. The family 

 dinner hour was half-past six ; and if Cuvier had a 

 few moments to spare before that time, he would 

 occasionally join his friends in Madame Cuvier's 

 room, but more frequently he seems to have given 

 even this short time to study. One or two intimate 

 friends joined the circle at dinner, and then Cuvier's 

 conversation was delightful. On proceeding to the 



