14 MEMOIRS OF 



them worthy of it, and whose parents were not 

 possessed of fortune, he was destined for the 

 church. A free school had been founded for 

 such boys at Tubingen, where they received 

 a first-rate education. But the chief of the 

 Gymnase at Montb6hard, who had never for- 

 given the young Cuvier for some childish 

 tricks, changed his destiny by placing his com- 

 position in the third rank, when the pupils 

 presented their themes for places. George Cu- 

 vier felt that his production was equally good 

 with those which had hitherto been judged 

 worthy of the first rank, and at the important 

 moment, when his station at college depended 

 on his success, he was, for no conscious fault, kept 

 back. He became disgusted, and abandoned 

 all thoughts of Tubingen, to which place he 

 was only desirous of going as a means of pur- 

 suing his studies ; and, frequently, in after-life, 

 he expressed himself most happy at the changes 

 which resulted from this piece of injustice. 



Informed of the progress of the young Cu- 

 vier, and hearing the highest encomiums of him 

 from the Princess his sister, the Duke Charles, 

 uncle to the present King of Wlirtemberg, 

 when on a visit to Montbeliard, sent for him, 

 and, after having asked him several questions, 



