CUVIER. 201 



occasional complete change given to the train of 

 thought, or were forced to join in a general shout 

 of laughter. The period of these brilliant soirees 

 was that of the prime of the lovely daughter who 

 was so fondly loved by Cuvier. A perfect lady, of 

 great grace and goodness, was Clementine Cuvier. 

 She was a highly-gifted girl, and her resemblance 

 to her father was remarkable. She had a delicate 

 constitution, and gradually faded away, dying of 

 rapid consumption at last amidst the joyful pre- 

 parations for her marriage. A great change then 

 took place in Cuvier, who mourned his daughter 

 greatly. Society was given up for a long time, 

 and when the evening meetings were resumed, the 

 life of them seemed to be gone, and the dejection 

 of Madame Cuvier added to the feeling. After the 

 death of his own daughter, Cuvier became more 

 than ever attached to his step-daughter, and his 

 care and anxiety on her account manifested itself 

 on all occasions. If she were ill he would be up 

 and down stairs over and over again, and worried 

 himself about even the most trivial symptoms. 

 Although so greatly occupied and so often absorbed 

 in scientific pursuits, he never neglected the oppor- 

 tunity of doing good in his way. His private 

 charities were large and well bestowed. His purse 

 was ever open to the needy and unfortunate of all 

 countries and stations, and the miserable inhabit- 

 ants of the dens of Paris and the modest student 

 struggling under adversity were alike the recipients 

 pf his bounty. Many hotels in the neighbour- 



