134 MEMOIRS oil- 



very far from being popular, and as the public mind was at 

 that moment considerably agitated by political events, it was 

 generally understood that the students intended to raise a 

 violent commotion. Whether he was in reality unprepared 

 with his discourse, or whether he feared the consequences of 

 appearing on this occasion, the recently chosen dignitary re- 

 quested M. Cuvier to officiate for him. Tottering, as the 

 University was at that time, under the enmity of many 

 powerful men, one act of violence, one instance of excita- 

 tion and imprudence on the part of its youthful followers, 

 might have caused its downfall ; but M. Cuvier met the 

 difficulty with his wonted energy and judgment. Half an 

 hour, taken from the duties of the preceding evening, was 

 devoted to the composition of a discourse, which only re- 

 quired some minutes to deliver. The day arrived, and the 

 students appeared, manifesting every hostile disposition. 

 The sight of M. Cuvier first checked their excited feelings : 

 they remained in respectful silence ; the reason and gentle- 

 ness of his expressions restored complete tranquillity ; the 

 distribution took place, and as the benevolent and revered 

 master laid the crowns upon the heads of his disciples, he 

 addressed them as a father would his children ; nothing but 

 the murmurs of gratitude and applause were heard, instead 

 of the angry and turbulent conduct threatened, and the 

 University was saved. 



Even had Charles X. made the Grand Mastership of 

 the University a permanent office, which intention he more 

 than once expressed, M. Cuvier could not have held it, ow- 

 ing to the insurmountable obstacle presented by his religion ; 

 therefore was he made perpetual Grand Master of the Pro- 

 testant Faculties. This honour was not even opposed by 

 the Catholic bishops, who were thoroughly sensible of M. 

 Cuvier's profound knowledge of ecclesiastical affairs, of his 

 tolerating spirit, which never prompted him to one harsh 

 measure, and he assumed this important charge to the great 

 satisfaction of all France ; if, indeed, we except the fanatics 

 of his own creed, who were, perhaps, as much opposed to his 

 enlightened views as the Jesuits, and caused even greater 

 obstacles to the meliorations he endeavoured to establish^ 

 He instantly commenced a completely new system of order 

 and encouragement, which, it is true, did not always sue- 



