88 MEMOIRS OF 



lion is that which teaches us to direct and control our self- 

 love within its just limits, and, at the same time, tends to 

 develope and augment our love for others, our desire of he- 

 ing useful, and doing them good. These reflections lead 

 us back to M. de Monty on, who, always animated by this 

 desire, wished to render all men wiser, better, and ha}3pier. 

 It was with this intention that he founded the prizes of virtue. 

 the distribution of which has been confided to the Academie 

 Fran^aise, and this is the tenth timeof fulfilling thishonoura- 

 ble mission. . . . But the hberahty of M. de Montyon. though 

 great, must be limited ; and a choice must be made among' 

 those who are presented to us, each with the strongest 

 claims. It may be imagined how diflScult it is to make 

 this choice ; how painful, and even afflicting, it is to the 

 judges to be obliged to compare and coolly weigh actions 

 which amount to sublimity ; and, while animated to en- 

 thusiasm, or moved almost to weakness, thus impartially 

 and calmly to pronounce judgment. Besides, what man 

 can flatter himself that he can l3e exempt from error in 

 such decisions ? God alone is the judge of virtue, because 

 he alone can read our hearts, penetrate into our motives. 

 and know our intentions : God alone gives to virtue its 

 real reward. We can only see the exterior, and presume 

 on the motives, which we are bound to consider as pure 

 and upright, when the actions bear the appearance of dis- 

 interestedness and goodness." 



Thus far I have attempted, by translation, to give some 

 idea of this beautiful little volume : but as the account of M. 

 Cuvier's works draws near to the close, it will be desirable, 

 occasionally, to give specimens of his style, by extracts from 

 the French :.and having thus stated the motive, these pas- 

 sages will be introduced whenever they seem to me to be 

 best calculated for displaying his powers. The following is 

 selected from the " Prix de Vertu : " * — " Nous avons a ra- 



^Wehave now to recount the good deeds of fifteen other persons, to 

 whomtlie Academy has decreed medals; but as we commence these reci- 

 tals, a fear assails us of fatiguing our readers by monotony, by want of 

 variety. These histories are all alike ; it is always chanty, always bene- 

 volence, always a disinterested devotion to the cause of the unfortunate. 

 These we must for ever praise, for ever admire ,• and this is not the way to 

 rouse or to fix attention. Eulogiuni fatigues or sends us to sleep, and au 



