MEMOIR. xi 
In this vast work on the fossil remains, Cuvier furnished to the 
world not only the ample results of his personal labours, in the neigh- 
bourhood of Paris, in different parts of provincial France, in Italy and 
Holland, whither he had been sent on political or educational purposes, 
but also the fruits of researches carried on by the naturalists of other 
countries, which he gathered either from their published productions or 
from their correspondence. The effect in the scientific world which was 
produced by the intimate connection demonstrated by Cuvier to subsist 
between Zoology and Geology, was altogether of the most useful and gra- 
tifying kind; and it was the fond superstition of the enthusiastic students 
of those branches of intellectual pursuit to believe, that the unparalleled 
assemblage of opportunities of which Cuvier had the command for the 
elucidation of this mingled science, were purposely consigned to one 
whose rare qualifications rendered him the only competent agent to 
make the proper use of them. 
Whilst the world’s honours were thus profusely showered upon Cuvier’s 
head, his heart was doomed to feel all the anguish which the bereave- 
ment of the dearest objects of life is calculated to excite. In 1812, he 
lost a daughter at the age of four years, and the year which succeeded 
swept away an only son in his seventh year. The latter calamity occur- 
red whilst the father was fulfilling the duties of a high commission at 
Rome, where he proved that his philosophy was sufficient to enable him 
to avoid the evil consequences that usually arise from collision of creeds 
in matters of state importance. His services in Italy were rewarded with 
the appointment to the office of Master of Requests in the Council of 
State; and, in 1813, he wasnominated Imperial Commissioner, and set 
out for Mayence, in order to rouse the people on the left bank of the 
Rhine to declare in favour of France; but his journey terminated at 
Nancey, into which the allied army had just made its entrance, and he 
returned to Paris. Napoleon finally advanced him to the rank of Coun- 
cillor of State; but the promotion of Cuvier only took place on the eve 
of his master’s downfall. After the restoration he was re-appointed to 
the same office. During the hundred days Cuvier lived in retirement; 
and when Louis finally came to the possession of the crown, the illus- 
trious Naturalist continued to receive from the restored dynasty that 
respect and attention which he deserved. He was made Chancellor of 
the University by Louis XVIII., and enjoyed office until his decease. 
In 1819 he was created a Baron. 
From the history of the career of Cuvier to this point, we learn that 
under every form of government his scientific merits were uniformly ac- 
knowledged. The republic, the imperial ruler, and the regal dynasty, 
alike rendered homage to his talents and his integrity. Jealous of 
