176 MEMOIRS OF 



for those whose cares and aflfection had embellished his 

 life, and for those who had most aided him in his scientific 

 labours. He could not sign it himself but four witnesses 

 attested the deed. He sent for that good M. Royer, who 

 was so soon to follow him, to make a statement of tlie 

 sums he had expended, out of his private fortune, on the 

 alterations of the rooms behind his house, though the 

 affliction of this Chef du Bureau d' Administration was so 

 heavy as almost to disable him from doing his duty. M. 

 Cuvier alone was tranquil ; and, perfectly convinced that 

 all human resource was vain, he yet, for the sake of the 

 beloved objects who encircled him, submitted without impa- 

 tience to every remedy that was suggested. The malady 

 augmented during the night, and the most celebrated medi- 

 cal practitioners were called in: emetics were administered 

 by means of a tube, but, like all other endeavours, they did 

 not cause the least alteration. Friday was passed in various, 

 but hopeless, attempts to mitigate the evil ; and, perhaps, 

 they only increased the suffering of the patient. In the 

 evening the paralysis attacked the legs ; the night was 

 restless and painful ; the speech became affected, though 

 it was perfectly to be understood. He pointed out the seat 

 of his disorder, observing to those who could comprehend 

 him. " Ce sont les nerfs de la volante qui sont malades :'** 

 alluding to the late beautiful discoveries olSir Charles Bell 

 and Scarpa, on the double system of spinal nerves :t he 

 clearly and precisely indicated the changes of position 

 which the parts of the limbs yet unparalyzed rendered de- 

 sirable ; and he was moved from his own simple and com- 

 paratively small bed-room, into that saloon where he had 

 been the life and soul of the learned world ; and, though 

 his speech was less fluent, he conversed with his physi- 

 cians, his family, and the friends who aided them in their 

 agonizing cares. Among other anxious inquirers came 

 M. Pasquier, whom he had seen on the memorable Tues- 

 day : and he said to him, " Behold a very different person 

 to the man of Tuesday — of Saturday. Nevertheless, I 



* " The nerves of the will are sick." 



t A month before his ilhiess, he had read a paper at the Institute upon 

 a memoir of Scarpa's, on this distinction between the nerves of will, and 

 those of sensibility. 



