164 MEMOIRS OF 



contrary feeling led him merely to avoid intercourse, and 

 did not, in any manner, extend towards the real welfare ol 

 the individual. Even the annoyances and disappointments 

 he met with in his public career left not one grain of bitter- 

 ness in his soul ; and he generally laid the fault to the igno- I 

 ranee, rather than the bad feeling, of the offenders ; saying 

 of them, "They are more to be pitied than blamed, for 

 they know not what they do. ;} No one knew better how 

 to soften a refusal ; and, whatever might be his reasons, i 

 he took care that his opinion should not wound the feelings 

 of any applicant for his favours. During one of my visits 

 to his house, a gentleman, anxious to obtain the vote of 

 M. Cuvier, as serviceable in procuring a public employment, 

 applied to me to intercede with my noble host. I felt that 

 J had no right to do so, and mentioned my dilemma to 

 Madame Cuvier, at the same time expressing my vexation, 

 that such advantage should have been taken of my inti- 

 macy. This being repeated to M. Cuvier, he laughed at 

 the scruples which had withheld me from conversing with 

 himself on the subject, and then desired me to reply to the 

 applicant, that he never suffered the ladies of his family to 

 interfere in such matters. When I left the room in order 

 to do this, he called me back, as if a sudden thought had 

 struck him ; and he added, " Tell your friend, if he wishes 

 to see me, or ask my advice, I shall be happy to receive him 



at ;" evidently wishing to save me from the pain of 



an abrupt refusal to one whom I might esteem. 



The soirees of Baron Cuvier, which took place every 

 Saturday evening, and were sometimes preceded by a par- 

 ty, were the most brilliant and the most interesting in Paris. 

 There, passed in review, the learned, the talented, of every 

 nation, of every age, and of each sex ; all systems, all opi- 

 nions, were received ; the more numerous the circle, the 

 more delighted was the master of the house to mingle in 

 it, encouraging, amusing, welcoming every body, paying 

 the utmost respect to those really worthy of distinction, 

 drawing forth the young and bashful, and striving to make 

 all appreciated according to their deserts. Nothing was 

 banished from this circle but envy, jealousy, and scandal ; 

 and this saloon might be compared to all Europe ; and not 

 till the guest had repassed the Rue de Tournon, or " the 



