78 BARON CUVIER. 



research, his wife or daughter read to him general 

 literature. 



Every Saturday evening a reception was held at 

 the home of Baron Cuvier, and there one was sure 

 to meet the most brilliant and learned from all 

 parts of Europe, whether rich or poor. . . . 



Cuvier delighted everybody by his courtesy and 

 his cordiality. Another person also was the life of 

 these gatherings, his beautiful daughter Clemen- 

 tine, his only remaining child. Never strong in 

 body, she had been reared with the tenderest care. 

 Devoted to all good Avork, reading to aged women, 

 visiting the poor, educated, and of extreme loveli- 

 ness of character, she was the idol of her family 

 and of society. On the 25th of August, 1828, she 

 was to have been married, but, while in the midst 

 of the preparations, she fell ill of consumption, and 

 died the following month, September 28. 



The effect on both parents was crushing. Cuvier's 

 light hair grew white, and lines gathered in his 

 face. After two months he took his place again 

 at the head of the Committee of the Interior. He 

 listened attentively to all the discussions, but when 

 it came his turn to speak, he burst into tears, and 

 covered his bowed face in his hands, and sobbed 

 bitterly. Finally he raised his head and said, 

 "Pardon me, gentlemen, I was a father, and I 

 have lost all ! " and then with a violent effort he 

 resumed the business of the day, with his usual 

 calmness. 



He devoted himself now more than ever to his 



