4< INTRODUCTION. 



independent of all other publications, attempt to 

 lay open to the English world the noblest part 

 of the gifted individual — his heart. 



Such is the chief purport of the present bio- 

 graphy ; the labours of M. Cuvier speak for his 

 wonderful mind ; and time alone can show, to 

 its full extent, the influence of that mind upon 

 science. To time also must we look for an im- 

 partial opinion upon his political career ; but it 

 is only for those who have lived with him to do 

 justice to his high moral virtues ; and iu the 

 hope that this little volume may serve, when I 

 have followed the illustrious subject of it to the 

 grave, as a basis for a more extended publica- 

 tion, I offer a narrative of facts. 



Having thus, I trust, obviated every feeling 

 of disgust which accompanies all kinds of pre- 

 sumption, and which would, most probably, be 

 attached to me, were I to dare to think myself 

 qualified for a biographer of savants, there yet 

 remains something for me to say to those to 

 whom I am unknown ; for, when an individual 

 starts from a private circle to give an account of 

 an illustrious public character, it becomes ne- 

 cessary to vouch for the veracity of details, and 

 to explain the opportunities afforded for observ- 

 ation. This will be best done by a short history 



