BARON CUVIER. 137 



and therefore, according to this institution, directly they quit 

 the schools, they undergo an election in order to become 

 agreges : these agreges are assistants to sick or aged profes- 

 sors, during their attendance on whom, time and opportunity 

 are given for the developement of their talents, and to make 

 themselves known. At the death of the professor, the fa- 

 culty to which he belonged presents three candidate agreges 

 to the minister, whose choice determines the appointment. 



Long convinced that those destined to different adminis- 

 trative functions should follow a course of study especially 

 adapted to these duties, in the same manner as they do for 

 the learned professions, M. Cuvier proposed to the Simeon 

 ministry to create a new faculty, or particular school of ad- 

 ministration, on the models of those which have long ex- 

 isted in Germany, and to which faculty he desired that his 

 name should be attached. The project was prepared, and 

 nearly put in execution, when the above minister retired, 

 and from the succeeding party nothing further could be 

 obtained than a chair for administrative law, and even that 

 was very shortly suppressed. 



All the minor schools of France were likewise the objects 

 of M. Cuvier's earnest solicitude ; and, notwithstanding the 

 frustration of many of his plans, from an obstinate attach- 

 ment to old methods, he succeeded, by reiterated appeals to 

 government, in establishing among them professors of his- 

 tory, living languages, and natural history. In order to 

 further primary instruction, he caused the institution of pro- 

 vincial committees for superintending the schools of their 

 own departments, thinking that emulation would thus be 

 excited among those called to the office, consequently their 

 zeal redoubled, and their endeavours carried to a greater 

 extent. In some provinces this plan was attended with the 

 greatest success, but in others party spirit and consequent 

 dissension paralysed even the most active. As a further 

 proof of the ever-watchful cares of M. Cuvier, and the ex- 

 Lent to which he carried his anxious endeavours, I now quote 

 a discourse delivered after his death. In this we have not 

 only the words of the superintendent of an important es- 

 tablishment, but his own in evidence of the extreme inte- 

 rest he felt in this primary branch of education. This dis- 

 course emanated from M. Reynal, Rector of the Academy 



M* 



