160 MEMOIRS OF 



Before dinner, M. Cuvier would occasionally give a few 

 minutes to his family, by joining the assembled party 

 in Mme. Cuvier's room. On the sound, " Madame est 

 servie," he would offer his arm to his wife, and leading her 

 to her seat, all gathered round them both at this once happy 

 table. M. Frederic Cuvier, his son, and very often one or 

 two intimate friends who came by chance, would increase 

 the circle, and the most delightful conversation would en- 

 sue. On proceeding to the drawing-room, M. Cuvier 

 would occasionally gratify those present by an hour's stay 

 among them before he retired to his occupations, or paid his 

 visits. Occasionally he would bring forth some old book he 

 had picked up at a stall on one of the Q.uais, and boasting 

 of his bargain, read some passages ; or, bidding some one 

 read to him, he compared different editions. At a more re- 

 cent period, if he had any of M. Champollion's letters from 

 Egypt, he would station us at different tables, with volumes 

 of the great work on Egypt, and verify the descriptions of 

 tlie antiquary step by step. He never was weary of re- 

 search ; though, it must be owned, we occasionally wished 

 for the sound of the carriage-wheels, to interrupt our em- 

 ployment. He never suffered people to be idle in his house ; 

 and no sooner did friends station themselves among the 

 family for a time, but he would come into their rooms with 

 folios and paper in his hand, and set them to trace plates for 

 him ; and seldom forgot, on his return home from his duties 

 abroad, to inquire how much had been done. To be sure, 

 it was a pleasure to work for him, he was so grateful for the 

 service, and so happy when the task was properly completed. 

 His thirst for knowledge took an unbounded range, and the 



M. Frederic Cuvier, M. Chevrevul, M. Valenciennes, M. Deleuze, and 

 M. Laurillard, thank God ! still live to receive this public testimony of 

 my sense of their kindness. M. Haiiy, M, Latreille, M. Thouin,"M. 

 Royer, M. Dufresne, W. Vanspaendonck, M. Lucas, have been called to 

 another world, where human feelings are of no avail. Our pass-word for 

 every thing- was, "de la Maison Cuvier ;'' and night and day we wander- 

 ed about this little world as if we had been among its permanent inhabi- 

 tants. Great have been the changes since then; and nov/ the master 

 spirit of this beautiful abode is no more, I shall never look on it again, and 

 fancy that it has retained its perfection. During my late visit, not even 

 the subordinate employes whom I had known in former times, but, after 

 their respectful greeting, lamented the death of their great patron, iu 

 words that betokened the sincerest grief. 



