BARON CUVIER. 159 



be limited ; and a choice must be made among 

 those who are presented to us, each with the 

 strongest claims. It may be imagined how diffi- 

 cult it is to make this choice : how^ painful, and 

 even afflicting, it is to the judges to be obliged to 

 compare, and coolly weigh actions which amount 

 to sublimity ; and, while animated to enthusiasm, 

 or moved almost to weakness, thus impartially 

 and calmly to pronounce judgment. Besides, 

 what man can flatter himself that he can be ex- 

 empt from error in such decisions? God alone 

 is the judge of virtue, because he alone can read 

 our hearts, penetrate into our motives, and know 

 our intentions : God alone gives to virtue its 

 real reward. We can only see the exterior, and 

 presume on the motives, which we are bound to 

 consider as pure and upright, when the actions 

 bear the appearance of disinterestedness and 

 goodness." 



Thus far I have attempted, by translation, to 

 give some idea of this beautiful little volume : 

 but as the account of M. Cuvier's works draws 

 near to the close, it will be desirable, occasion- 

 ally, to give specimens of his style, by extracts 

 from the French ; and having thus stated the 

 motive, these passages will be introduced when- 

 ever they seem to me to be best calculated for 



