158 MEMOIRS OF 



cannot help me that I am in such trouble ;" evidently 

 thinking that, if he could not serve her, she had no hope. 

 The meal-times were always anticipated by his family and 

 friends with the greatest pleasure ; for then it was that 

 questions were asked, and histories related on all sides. As 

 if knowing the few opportunities there were of conversing 

 with him, he suffered himself to be constantly interrupted, 

 and never hesitated giving the desired information con- 

 cerning public or private circumstances ; and frequently, 

 when the former were not immediately comprehended, he 

 would set forth the subject in all its bearings, till it was 

 perfectly understood. The breakfast took place generally 

 at ten ; but M. Cuvier had almost always risen at seven 

 or even before that time, had prepared his papers for the 

 day, had arranged the occupations of his assistants, and 

 had received most of his visitors. Some intimate friends 

 frequently called on him at this hour, because they were 

 sure to find him at liome. His usual practice was to read the 

 newspapers as he ate his breakfast, or look over the books 

 for the use of the primary schools, sent for his inspection. 

 Still, if one of the family were missing, he would inquire 

 for the absent person with the utmost solicitude ; and even 

 if the conversation were unusually animated, he insisted 

 upon knowing the whole, though he seldom raised his 

 eyes from the paper. After breakfast was finished, he 

 dressed, and then came the routine of his numerous occu- 

 pations ; and when it was his turn to be Director of the 

 Jardin, before going to the Council, &c., he would take his 

 way, amid the trees, to the Museum of Natural History, 

 followed by secretaries, aide-naturalists, students, &c., bear- 

 ing the treasures which had just been finished in the stuf- 

 fing laboratories, and which were arranged in their respec- 

 tive cases under his superintendence. His carriage was 

 generally punctual to the moment appointed, and no one 

 w^as allowed to keep him waiting ; and, in fact, no one 

 would do so, if possible to avoid it, for it vexed him exceed- 

 ingly ; though I used to think sometimes that 1 saw a 

 faint smile on his countenance, when we flew down stairs, 

 our gloves in our hands, and our shawls streaming after us. 

 The instant he had given his orders, he would thrust him- 

 self into a corner, and resume his reading or writing, suf- 



