BARON CUVIER. 155 



>om where I was sitting, when decked in all the parapher- 

 alia for a grand meeting. The long, flowing gown of 

 ch, violet-coloured velvet, bordered with ermine, added to 

 s height, and concealed the corpulence of his figure ; the 

 p, of the same materials, could not confine his curls ; and, 

 rilliant with his ribands and his orders, the outward ap- 

 arance fully accorded with the internal man. His refined 

 iste was often manifested in the buildings of the Jardin, 

 ade according to his direction, and was extended to the 

 inutest details. The menagerie for the wild beasts is classi- 

 lly beautiful, and was built entirely after his designs and 

 ider his inspection, while he held the annual office of di- 

 ctor. The new wing of the Museum, which joins the 

 orps de Garde, was also added by his orders during one of 

 ese directorships. 



The manners of M. Cuvier, by their dignity, resembled 

 3 ancient deportment of French people, divested of its 

 treme ceremony ; for, accustomed to mingle with the 

 ghest of all classes and countries, and naturally desirous 

 paying a just tribute of respect and good-will to every 

 dy, he was likely to be generally polished and courteous, 

 ough in company, at the houses of others, sometimes 

 ately. That stateliness was often deemed stiffness ; and 

 must not be denied that real stiffness was assumed on 

 me rare but necessary occasions. Frequently, however, 

 Delieve that it arose from timidity ; for it wore off' the in- 

 int he saw any one inclined to lay aside the restraint which 

 s presence very often, and most needlessly, imposed. On, 

 e contrary, when he saw people afraid of him, he fancied he 

 ust have caused it by something on his side ; and thus a 

 unter-reserve was produced, that seldom ceased with either 

 arty. To the young, however, he was universally encour- 

 ing, and they could not more entirely win his heart than 

 T talking, in his presence in their naturally open manner, 

 bwards females he was particularly kind and attentive, 

 istinguishing all whom he thought worthy of more than 

 .e general respect he paid to the sex, even appealing to 

 ,em on various occasions, delighting in their sensible re- 

 arks, and listening to their anecdotes with the greatest in- 

 irest. His attentions to his guests, either when visitors for 

 few hours or a few weeks, were surprisingly thoughtful ; 



