INTRODUCTION. 3 



ever, I was solicited in one or two influential 

 quarters to write a short memoir for one of our 

 public journals, and, afraid to trust solely to my 

 own reminiscences, I applied to the relatives of 

 Baron Cuvier for data. These data were con- 

 tributed with a readiness whicli vouched for the 

 sentiments of the family, and I seriously applied 

 to the task. Recollection crowded upon recollec- 

 tion, anecdote upon anecdote, till, in a short time, 

 it became very difficult to select from the mass. 

 Long did I hesitate from the conviction of my 

 own inability ; but the universal desire expressed 

 to me that I should publish the documents which 

 abundantly flowed from the best sources, and 

 the anxiety evinced to know something of the 

 private character and domestic habits of the 

 great man, seemed to point out that part of his 

 career which alone I was worthy to describe. 

 Reflection whispered, that I was able to correct 

 the many errors afloat ; that, perhaps, I was the 

 only one in England, who, from having been 

 received into the bosom of his family, could per- 

 sonally speak of various circumstances and 

 events ; and when I thought of all the affection 

 and kindness I had received, I began to feel 

 that there would be a degree of ingratitude in 

 remaining silent, and determined that I would, 



B 2 



