BARON CUVIER. 43 



beautiful young woman of twenty-two, on the 

 eve of marriage, and whose bridal chaplet 

 mingled with the funeral wreath on her bier. 

 Lovely in every action, lovely in person and 

 manner, and rich in her attainments, no question 

 ever arose as to who did or did not admire 

 Clementine Cuvier ; she unconsciously com- 

 manded universal homage, and secured its conti- 

 nuance by her lowliness of heart and her un- 

 failing charity. The daughter was worthy of 

 the father : it may be imagined, then, how that 

 father loved her, and how heavy was the visit- 

 ation. But M. Cuvier, with that high sense of 

 duty which had always distinguished him, felt 

 that he lived for others, and that he had no right 

 to sink under the heavy load of grief imposed on 

 him. With the energy that might be expected 

 from such a character, he sought relief in his 

 duties ; and although many a new furrow ap- 

 peared on his cheek ; although his beautiful hair 

 rapidly changed to silvery whiteness ; though 

 the attentive observer might catch the suppressed 

 sigh, and the melancholy expression of the up- 

 lifted eye, no one of his important offices re- 

 mained neglected ; his scientific devotion even 

 increased ; his numerous proteges received the 

 same fostering care, and he welcomed strangers 



