6 INTRODUCTION. 



confidence, I have to express a sincere gratitude towards 

 those who have assisted me, either by their notes or their 

 works,* and to give an outline of the plan I have thought 

 it necessary to adopt. 



Unwilling to incur the risk of confusion, by mingling too 

 much anecdote, either with my narrative of events or de- 

 scription of scientific and legislative labours, I have divided 

 the present volume into four parts or portions, that each 

 may bear its own share of detail. The first will give the 

 data of all the important circumstances of the Baron 

 Cuvier's life, in their respective order ; the second will con- 

 tain an account of his various works, as a savant and phi- 

 losopher ; the third will be devoted to his legislative career ; 

 and the fourth will be chiefly confined to those anecdotes 

 which will best illustrate his character as a man. In follow- 

 ing this method, I may, probably be led into something like 

 repetition ; but I hope I shall be excused, if each part shall 

 be found to contain a whole in itself, which facilitates refer- 

 ence. 



* Foremost among these are, Baron Pasquier, M, Laurillard, Dr. Dw- 

 , and the Baron de H . 



