BARON CUVIER. 19 



ance, that uprightness of character, from which 

 he never swerved. To these admirable found- 

 ations for glory, he afterwards added that re- 

 markable clearness of system, that perfection 

 of method, that tact of giving only what is 

 necessary, in short, tliat elegant manner of sum- 

 ming up the whole, which particularly distin- 

 guishes the French writers : the whole super- 

 structure was completed by the most perfect 

 modesty, and that respect for his own esteem, 

 without which, talents become the medium of 

 traffic for the acquirement of sordid possessions."* 

 Whilst with the family of the Count d'Hericy, 

 M. Cuvier saw all the nobility of the surround- 

 ing country ; he acquired the forms and manners 

 of the best society, and became acquainted with 

 some of the most remarkable men of his time. 

 Nor was his favourite study followed with 

 less ardour in consequence of finding himself 

 surrounded by new friends and new duties. A 

 long sojourn on the borders of the sea first in- 

 duced him to study marine animals, but, without 

 books, and in complete retirement, he confined 

 himself to the objects more immediately within 

 his reach. It was at this period also, (June, 



* Baron Pasquier. 



C "^ 



