228 MEMOIRS OF 



views, and he preferred that mode of govern- 

 ment which lent most aid to his enlarged and 

 philanthropical schemes. At the same time, he 

 steadily and firmly rejected every thing which 

 would have disturbed that internal repose of con- 

 science which was absolutely necessary to the 

 exertion of his own powers. 



It is not to be supposed, because M. Cuvier 

 supported every government under which he 

 lived, defended its laws, its institutions, and its 

 existence itself, in his temporary office of Com- 

 missaire du Roi*, as Counsellor of the Univer- 

 sity, and Counsellor of State, that he was blindly 

 attached to existing forms. On the contrary, 

 he wished for, he sought amendment and cor- 

 rection ; but his knowledge of the history of all 

 nations, the experience of his youth, taught him, 

 that the sudden subversion of these forms and 

 institutions produced anarchy and confusion, 

 and stagnated every thing like progress ; and 

 what he demanded was, that every attempted 

 improvement should be the result of deep 

 thought, calm discussion, and vigorous search 

 after the necessity of its taking place. He felt 

 that the passion for innovations of all kinds, 



* The office of Commissaire du Roi is, to defend all the 

 bills brought before either House by the ministry. 



