MEMOIR OF BUFFON. XI 



or distracted the thoughts of the learned possessor. Within this was 

 another cabinet, where Buffon resided the greater part of the year, on 

 account of the coldness of the other apartment, and where he composed 

 the greater number of his works. It was a small square building 

 situated on the side of a terrace, and was ornamented with drawings 

 of birds and beasts. Prince Henry of Prussia called it the cradle of 

 natural history ; and Rousseau, before he entered it, used to fall on his 

 knees and kiss the threshold. At nine o'clock, Buffon usually took an 

 hour's rest ; and his breakfast, which consisted of a piece of bread and 

 two glasses of wine, was brought to the pavilion. When he had 

 written two hours after breakfast, he returned to the house. At dinner 

 he spent a considerable portion of time, and indulged in all the gaieties 

 and trifles which occurred at table. After dinner he slept an hour in 

 his room, took a solitary walk, and during the rest of the evening, he 

 either conversed with his family or guests ; or sat at his desk examining 

 the papers which were submitted to his judgment. At nine o'clock 

 he went to bed, to prepare himself for the sam e routine of judgment 

 and pleasure. In this manner were spent no fewer than fifty years of 

 his life." 



During the whole period of Buffon's career, we find him particular 

 and anxious regarding the purity and elegance of his style ; and he 

 translated many standard works in various languages, with the view 

 of improving it. The first of these which he published was " Hales's 

 Vegetable Staticks," accompanied with an appropriate preface of consi- 

 derable length and ability. At this time he also instituted and carried 

 through experiments, to prove the relative strength of the different 

 woods which were used in France for purposes of public utility, and 

 the best season for cutting the timber. 



The next subject with which he became interested, was the manner 

 in which the Roman fleet under command of Marcellus, was set on fire 

 by Archimedes, and which was supposed could not be accomplished 

 by means of burning mirrors, as has been recorded. Buffon com- 

 menced his researches with ardour and perseverance, and his experi- 

 ments were eminently successful. They are the most important which 

 he performed, in those branches unconnected with natural history ; 

 and it is probable, that, had he not been appointed Intendant of the 

 Royal Garden and Cabinet, the various branches of mathematics, 

 optics, &c, would have received part of his attention, and might have 

 been attended with the most splendid results. 



Buffon commenced his researches, with the view of constructing a 

 burning mirror, which would be cabable of performing, what had been 

 thought Archimedes could not have executed ; but, before cummen- 



