MEMOIR OF BUFFOS 21 



and at six o'clock he regulated his studies at the pavi- 

 lion called the Tower of St Louis. This pavilion was 

 situated at the extremity of the garden, about a fur- 

 long from the house ; and the only furniture which it 

 contained was a large wooden secretary and an arm- 

 chair. No books or pictures relieved the naked ap- 

 pearance of the apartment, or distracted the thoughts 

 of the learned possessor. The entrance was by green 

 folding-doors, the walls were painted green, and the 

 interior had the appearance of a chapel, on account of 

 the elevation of the roof. Within this was another 

 cabinet, where Buffon resided the greater part of the 

 year, on account of the coldness of the other apart- 

 ment, and where he composed the greater number of 

 his works. It was a small square building, situated 

 'on the side of a terrace, and was ornamented with 

 drawings of birds and beasts. Prince Henry of Prussia 

 called it the cradle of natural history ; and Rousseau, 

 before he entered it, used to fall on his knees and kiss 

 the threshold. At nine o'clock, Buffon usually took 

 an hour's rest ; and his breakfast, which consisted of 

 a piece of bread and two glasses of wine, was brought 

 to the pavilion. When he had written two hours after 

 breakfast, he returned to the house. At dinner he 

 spent a considerable portion of time, and indulged in 

 all the gayeties and trifles which occurred at table. 

 After dinner, he slept an hour in his room, took a 

 solitary walk, and during the rest of the evening, he 

 either conversed with his family or guests, or sat at 



