BARON CUVIER. 133 



as a legislator. Rarely eager to give his advice, he even 

 appeared to be thinking of subjects wholly irrelevant to the 

 matter in discussion; but he was often, at that very mo- 

 ment, writing the judgment or regulation which must ne- 

 cessarily follow the deliberation. His turn to speak only 

 came when all others had stated their reasons, when use- 

 less words were expended. Then a new light burst upon 

 the whole ; facts assumed their proper position, confused 

 and mingled ideas were arranged in order, the inevitable 

 consequences appeared, and when he ceased to speak, the 

 discussion was terminated."* 



But these were not all the legislative labours of M. Cu- 

 vier. Always holding the office of Chancellor to the Uni- 

 versity, he had twice been forced, in the temporary vacation 

 of the Grand Mastership, to take upon himself the highest 

 dignity, and, during these two periods, fewer complaints 

 were made against this institution than at any other.t A 

 most gratifying proof of the respect felt for him took place 

 at the moment that a change was made in this appointment. 

 It was the duty of the newly named Grand Master to dis- 

 ribute some prizes awarded by the University ; but he was 



* These are nearly the words of one of M. Cuvier's brother legislators, 

 he Baron Pasquier, to whose eloquent eloge, delivered in the Chamber of 

 J eers, of which he is president, I am deeply indebted. My sole object is 

 ,o do justice to M. Cuvier's talents and character ; and to accomplish this, 

 may be excused for employing better language than my own, especially 

 when the writers speak from personal knowledge. 



f It should be understood, that, in twice accepting the functions of 

 jrand Master, for the time being, M. Cuvier never received the salary at- 

 tached to this high dignity, though it increased his household expenses, and 

 though it was richly endowed, even under the restored government. The 

 following are the dates of his holding this office : M. Royer Collard va- 

 cated the presidency of the committee of public instruction on the 13th of 

 September, 1819. M. Cuvier replaced him on the same day ; and a letter 

 from the minister of the interior, dated the 17th of the same month, noti- 

 fied the desire of the King, that the committee should continue its labours 

 under the presidency of the counsellor holding the place of chancellor. 

 M. Cuvier was that chancellor, and continued in the rank of Grand Mas- 

 ter until the 21st of December, 1820, at which period M. Corbiere was 

 appointed to it. M. Corbiere resigned on the 31st of July, 1821, and M. 

 Cuvier was again chosen to fill the vacancy until the 1st of June, 1822. 

 when M. Frayssinous was named Grand Master. The day on which M. 

 Frayssinous was called to the ministry, M. Cuvier was appointed Grand 

 Master for Protestant Affairs, which dignity only ceased with his exist- 

 ence ; and, let it be remembered, was equally filled by him without pecun- 

 iary remuneration. 



M 



