BARON CUVIKR. 241 



kindness, asked him several questions relative to 

 the event, and expressed himself as deeply con- 

 cerned. 



For the last thirteen years of his life did 

 M. Cuvier preside over the Comit^ de Tlnt^rieur, 

 and the number of affairs which passed through 

 his hands in this office alone is almost frightful 

 to the imagination : I ought not, perhaps, to say 

 passed through, but that they were examined, 

 deeply considered, and forwarded by him. I 

 should speak much within the limits of the truth, 

 if I were to state them at ten thousand every 

 year. The art of properly distributing the work 

 among his colleagues ; his talent in directing 

 discussion ; his unfailing and prodigious me- 

 mory, supplying antecedent decisions at the de- 

 sired moment ; his profound knowledge of the 

 principles which ought to regulate each affair, the 

 best method of applying these principles at the 

 best opportunity; — these qualities all rendered his 

 presidency the most remarkable of the present 

 age, and have indelibly impressed it on the 

 recollection of all who had the advantage of 

 labouring with him. To see him at one of these 

 meetings was, perhaps, to see him in his great- 

 est perfection as a legislator. Rarely eager to 

 give his advice, he even appeared to be thinking 



R 



