2S2 MEMOIRS OF 



contain many of his Memoirs on this subject, by 

 which he demonstrated the necessity of separat- 

 ing the judicial from the administrative part of 

 government, as ordered by the Constituent As- 

 sembly ; at the same time, that this could not be 

 effected without the creation of a Council of 

 State. The duties of this body are, to prepare 

 laws, to examine ordonnances, and to decide 

 whether the complaints brought against the 

 authorised agents of the government require 

 judicial proceedings. It is composed of en- 

 lightened men, who offer a better chance of im- 

 partiality than if they themselves were attached 

 to the offices filled by the offending parties. In 

 a very few years after he was admitted to the 

 Council of State, we find M. Cuvier appointed 

 President of the Comit6 de l*Int6rieur *, and 

 from this time his legislative duties were so 

 mingled with those belonging to the University, 



* A committee belonging to the Council of State, especi- 

 ally appointed to advise with the Minister of the Interior on 

 all administrative questions, to draw up the ordonnances 

 issued from that body, and to prepare the plans of various 

 laws. This committee examines all the disputes which arise 

 between individuals and the administration, authorises the 

 grants of mines, the construction of bridges and roads, super- 

 intends the statutes of different societies, and judges if it be 

 advisable to accept legacies or donations to public establish- 

 ments, the clergy, Sec. 



