BARON CUVIER. 27 



very advanced age, M. Cuvier was named pro- 

 fessor in his place, at the College de France, 

 where he taught natural philosophy, at the same 

 time that he lectured on comparative anatomy 

 at the Jardin.* On succeeding to this chair he 

 resigned that of the central school of the Pan- 

 theon. Also in 1800, Buonaparte, who, as First 

 Consul, aspired to civil as w ell as military glory, 



* An estimate of the pecuniary advantages then attending 

 the career of a savant, may be gathered from the following 

 letter, written by M. Cuvier, in answer to one from the late 

 M. Hermann. 



" My dear and learned confrere, (1800.) 



" You are not to suppose that Paris is so highly favoured ; 

 for twelve months pay are now due at the Jardin des 

 Plantes, and all the national establishments for public in- 

 struction, in Paris as well as at Strasburgh ; and if we envy 

 the elephants, it is not because they are better paid than we 

 are, but because, while living on credit, as we do, they are 

 not aware of it, and, consequently, are insensible to the pain 

 it gives. You know the saying about the French, that when 

 they have no money they sing. We savans, who are not 

 musicians, work at our sciences instead of singing, which 

 comes to the same thing. Believe me, my dear confrere, 

 this French philosophy is better than that of Wolff, or even 

 that of Kant ; and you are even more able to profit by it 

 than we are, for you can still purchase beautiful books, and 

 even artificial anatomy, which are objects of luxury in their 

 way. I have not yet read Poli, and defer this study till the 

 time when I publish my anatomical history of animals with 

 white blood. There is, as yet, but one copy of it in Paris, as 

 I am informed ; and thus you see we offer nothing which can 

 excite your envy." 



