180 MEMOIRS OF 



were affected, pointed out the progress of the 

 paralysis to his attendants, and expired at the 

 age of eighty-four, without suffering ; so that it 

 may be said of him, that he attained, if not the 

 most briUiant, the most perfect happiness for 

 which man is permitted to hope. 



Although confining myself to the principal 

 features of the above 6loge, I have dwelt on it 

 much longer than will be advisable for the 

 others. Two reasons have induced this ; and 

 the first is, the circumstance of its being one of 

 the earliest of M. Cuvier's productions which 

 was read in presence of the Emperor, on whom 

 it made a great impression. The natural style 

 in which it was written, the natural tone in 

 which it was read, amid the reigning affectation, 

 produced the happiest effect ; and it was of this 



that M. D , celebrated for his apt remarks, 



observed, " At last we have a secretary who 

 knows how to read and write." The second 

 reason is, that it may be offered as a proof of 

 the innate excellence of M. Cuvier's judgment; 

 it is not the work of a man whose reason was ma- 

 tured by long years of study, whose feelings 

 have been rendered impartial by age ; but it was 

 written when the fire of youth is generally apt 

 to be dazzled by some favourite opinion, is de- 



