CUVIER. 207 



remonstrances. To these high attributes we may 

 add charity. The failings of others were never 

 trumpeted forth by Cuvier ; he did not even 

 tolerate playful satire, however disguised by wit ; 

 his earnest desire was to make all happy around 

 him, even by a sacrifice of his own convenience ; 

 and his resignation was great, under calamities 

 which bereaved him of the dearest objects of his 

 affection ; all these things appear to establish his 

 character as a Christian." 



The character of Cuvier was hardly equal to 

 this panegyric, for he held his own boldly enough, 

 and faced his enemies with no feeble humility ; 

 moreover, the details of his everyday life prove 

 that he was sufficiently exacting, and that every- 

 thing had to give way to his will. Nevertheless, 

 it is true that that will was to advance knowledge 

 in the right direction, and that it was stimulated 

 by an earnest desire for truth. Men like Cuvier 

 are very apt to be misunderstood by their most 

 intimate friends. When studying the collections 

 of animals, and when comparing the forms of 

 ancient and modern life, Cuvier mentally recognized 

 a divine wisdom and the work of the God he 

 worshipped. That was his worship, and he 

 probably cared all the less for the oratory of the 

 pulpit, which he was expected to listen to. He 

 was not a constant attendant at his church, and 

 this seems even to have afflicted his daughter when 

 on her deathbed, according to some reports. But 

 in all probability she knew her father's worth and 



