288 MEMOIRS OF 



not immediately comprehended, he would set 

 forth the subject in all its bearings, till it was 

 perfectly understood. The breakfast took place 

 generally at ten ; but M. Cuvier had almost 

 always risen at seven, or even before that time, 

 had prepared his papers for the day, had ar- 

 ranged the occupations of his assistants, and had 

 received most of his visitors. Some intimate 

 friends frequently called on him at this hour, 

 because they were sure to find him at home. 

 His usual practice was to read the newspapers as 

 he ate his breakfast, or look over the books for 

 the use of the primary schools, sent for his in- 

 spection. Still, if one of the family were missing, 

 he would enquire for the absent person with the 

 utmost solicitude ; and even if the conversation 

 were unusually animated, he insisted upon know- 

 ing the whole, though he seldom raised his eyes 

 from the paper. After breakfast was finished, 

 he dressed, and then came the routine of his 

 numerous occupations ; and when it was his turn 

 to be Director of the Jardin, before going to the 

 Council, &c., he would take his way, amid 

 the trees, to the Museum of Natural History, 

 followed by secretaries, aide-naturalists, students, 

 &c., bearing the treasures which had just been 

 finished in the stuffing laboratories, and wliicli 



