BARON CUVIEIl. 295 



this manner of closing the day by such a ra- 

 tional amusement: it served to quiet his mind, 

 which had often been previously excited; and 

 ensured him that undisturbed repose, which 

 fitted him for succeeding labours, and which his 

 appearance the next morning generally indicated 

 that he had enjoyed. Could that man's slum- 

 bers be otherwise than sweet, who had passed 

 every moment in the fulfilment of the most im- 

 portant duties of life ? The services thus ren- 

 dered to M. Cuvier were often returned by him 

 in kind; for if any member of his family was ill, 

 he would take his books and his newspapers to 

 the bed-side, and read aloud by the hour to- 

 gether. He never slept except at night; and I 

 never heard of any one surprising him in such a 

 state of inaction at any hour in the day, in his 

 house or carriage, whatever might have been the 

 fatigue he had undergone. 



No one was ever more sensible to kindness 

 than M. Cuvier, and the slightest services always 

 received acknowledgments beyond their value; 

 it is not surprising, then, that in the same cha- 

 racter there should be an equal sensibility to in- 

 gratitude. To find any one thus return the 

 affectionate cares he had bestowed, was a real 

 affliction ; and as an instance, among several 



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