4 INTRODUCTION. 



Most of those who were either anxious to inquire of me 

 concerning the surviving family, or who were kindly soli- 

 citous about myself under such a calamity, seemed to think 

 it a matter of course that I should publish some particulars 

 of my lost friend ; but although this certainly suggested the 

 possibility of doing so, I still felt my own inadequacy too 

 deeply to do other than refuse the undertaking. In a few 

 weeks, however, I was solicited in one or two influential 

 quarters to write a short memoir for one of our public jour- 

 nals, and afraid to trust solely to my own reminiscences, I 

 applied to the relatives of Baron Cuvier for data. These 

 data were contributed with a readiness which vouched for 

 the sentiments of the family, and I seriously applied to the 

 task. Recollection crowded upon recollection, anecdote 

 upon anecdote, till, in a short time, it became very difficult 

 to select from the mass. Long did I hesitate from the con- 

 viction of my own inability ; but the universal desire ex- 

 pressed to me that I should publish the documents which 

 abundantly flowed from the best sources, and the anxiety 

 evinced to know something of the private character and 

 domestic habits of the great man, seemed to point out that 

 part of his career which alone I was worthy to describe. 

 Reflection whispered, that I was able to correct the many 

 errors afloat ; that, perhaps, I was the only one in England, 

 who, from having been received into the bosom of his 

 family, could personally speak of various circumstances and 

 events ; and when I thought of all the affection and kind- 

 ness I had received. I began to feel that there would be a 

 degree of ingratitude in remaining silent, and determined 

 that I would, independent of all other publications, attempt 

 to lay open to the English world the noblest part of the 

 gifted individual his heart. 



Such is the chief purport of the present biography ; the 

 labours of M. Cuvier speak for his wonderful mind" ; and 

 time alone can show, to its full extent, the influence of that 

 mind upon science. To time also must we look for an im- 

 partial opinion upon his political career ; but it is only for 

 those who have lived with him to do justice to his high 

 moral virtues ; and in the hope that this little volume may 

 serve, when I have followed the illustrious subject of it to 



