86 MEMOIRS OF 



tain sum to this purpose. Besides this, he left funds for 

 bestowing prizes on those who invented machines to be 

 used in agriculture or mechanical arts, and also on any 

 one who should discover efficacious remedies for the diseases 

 which afflict humanity, or diminish the danger to which 

 workmen are exposed in carrying on several of their occu- 

 pations : he founded a third prize for books, which should 

 instruct the poor in moral conduct and proper deportment ; 

 and. lastly, he instituted that of virtue, exclusively in fa- 

 vour of the poorer classes. This prize is annually bestow- 

 ed, and awarded by the Academic Fran9aise. In 1829, 

 M. Cuvier was appointed, at the meeting of St. Louis, to 

 inform the public how the prizes had been bestowed : and 

 his discourse on the subject forms the volume of which I 

 now speak. 



In his introduction to the history of those who have ob- 

 tained the prizes, the author says, '' Let us first ask the 

 question, What is virtue? An ancient philosopher an- 

 swers, ' Remarkable and brilliant virtue is that which sup- 

 ports w^oe and labour, or which exposes itself to danger, 

 in order to be useful to others, and that without expecting 

 or desiring any recompense.' The philosopher has well 

 said that this is rare and brilliant virtue ; perhaps it is even 

 above humanity ; but let us observe, that its two principal 

 characters are, usefulness to others, and perfect disinterest- 

 edness. But we will turn from pagan antiquity, open the 

 Gospel, and there seek an answer to the (question propos- 

 ed. We read in the Holy Writings, ' Love God above all 

 things, and your neighbour as yourselves : the law^ and 

 the prophets are contained in these two precepts.' Thus, 

 he who has followed these precepts is virtuous ; he will 

 have accomplished the entire law. Now, what is it to love 

 God? How can we prove that we love him? It is by 

 conforming to his will, by doing that which he orders ; 

 and the first thing which he commands us to do, after lov- 

 ing him, is to love our neighbour as ourselves ; and our 

 neighbours are all men, without distinction or exception, 

 as the Gospel also teaches us in the parable of the Sama- 

 ritan. This command, given us by God, has been ren- 

 dered easy and pleasing in execution by himself having 

 implanted in our souls, at our birth, a love for our neigh- 



