190 Memoir of Charles Alexander Lesueur. 



into activity his military talents still continued, yet was it hoped 

 that under his auspices France, long the antagonist of England 

 in arms, might be enabled to prove herself to be a successful com- 

 petitor in those pursuits which tend to the improvement and hap- 

 piness of the human race. 



The measure was suggested to the government ; and the propo- 

 sition of the Institute was seconded by the First Consul, who, as 

 a member of the Academy of Sciences, felt a lively interest in its 

 proceedings. The government yielded to the wishes of the In- 

 stitute ; and at the moment when the army of reserve was about 

 to pass the Alps, to enter Piedmont, Bonaparte issued his orders 

 to hasten the execution of this great enterprise. 



As it was intended that this expedition should form an epoch 

 in the history of maritime discovery, neither pains nor cost were 

 spared to render it successful. Two sloops of war or corvettes, 

 respectively named the Geographe and the Naturaliste, were 

 equipped in the port of Havre ; and a selection from the most 

 skillful and experienced officers of the navy was made to conduct 

 them. The scientific corps, with their coadjutors, all of whom 

 had been recommended by the Institute, amounted in number to 

 twenty-three ; to wit : four astronomers and hydrographers, three 

 botanists, five zoologists, two mineralogists, four artists, and five 

 gardeners. So large and so efficient a body had never been en- 

 gaged in a similar expedition. 



It was not among the officers alone that there was discrimina- 

 tion in the choice. " The midshipmen before they were received/' 

 says the historian of the voyage, " underwent rigorous examina- 

 tions; the most inferior stations had been sought for with avidity, 

 and some of them were filled by young men of the most respect- 

 able families in Normandy, impelled by the desire, peculiar to 

 youth, of acquiring knowledge, and of participating in those dis- 

 tant voyages which ever assume a character of greatness and sin- 

 gularity, and which enforce that respect they constantly merit 

 and obtain. Among these interesting young men was my worthy 

 coadjutor, my estimable friend, Mr. Lesueur, the dear companion 

 of my dangers, my sacrifices and my toil." 



Charles Alexander Lesueur was born at Havre-de-Grace on the 

 1st of January, 1778. His father, who was an officer of the ad- 

 miralty, bestowed upon him that education which his limited 

 means afforded ; there being several other children that equally 

 claimed his paternal care. In French schools the elements ot 

 drawing are usually taught. The bent of the lad's mind being 

 towards this art, his desire to excel in it became a ruling passion, 

 which could not fail to produce the happiest results ; and, at the 

 expiration of his pupilage, his parent had the satisfaction of find- 

 ing, in the productions of his pencil, the skill and finish ot a 

 master. 



