282 MEMOIRS OF 



blished. I was very anxious to see him in his 

 University robes, and having mentioned my wish, 

 he came into the room where I was sitting, 

 when decked in all the paraphernalia for a grand 

 meeting. The long, flowing gown of rich, violet- 

 coloured velvet, bordered with ermine, added to 

 his height, and concealed the corpulence of his 

 figure; the cap, of the same materials, could not 

 confine his curls ; and, brilliant with his ribands 

 and his orders, the outward appearance fully 

 accorded with tlie internal man. His refined 

 taste was often manifested in the buildings of 

 the Jardin, made according to his direction, and 

 was extended to the minutest details. The me- 

 nagerie for the wild beasts is classically beauti- 

 ful, and was built entirely after his designs and 

 under his inspection, while he held the annual of- 

 fice of director. The new wing of the Museum, 

 which joins the Corps de Garde, was also added 

 by his orders during one of these directorships. 

 The manners of M. Cuvier, by their dignity, 

 resembled the ancient deportment of French 

 people, divested of its extreme ceremony j for, 

 accustomed to mingle with the highest of all 

 classes and countries, and naturally desirous of 

 paying a just tribute of respect and good- will to 

 every body, he was likely to be generally po- 

 lished and courteous, though in company, at the 



