198 Biographical Notice of 
knowledge of Aristotle. But even this admiration awoke all 
his critical instincts, and already he had formed in his own 
mind the rash resolution of one day engaging in a contest 
with him. 
While he dreamed of opposition and independence, the 
penetrating discernment of the man of genius had oftener 
than once rested upon him. Cuvier desired such proselytes 
to science ; he sought for them, courted them, opened to them 
his library and his house, and did all this with a noble gene- 
rosity, while they remained the satellites of his fame; but as 
soon as they became strong, and presumed to dispute the 
lion’s part, the connection ceased. On one occasion, in the 
depth of a gallery, when M. de Blainville was absorbed in 
his contemplations, he saw Cuvier, the great Cuvier, then in 
the zenith of his brilliant career, coming up to him. “I 
have,’’ he said to him, (whom he knew only by his works, and 
now spoke to him for the first time), ‘‘I have a proposal to 
make to you. Will you join your exertions to mine for the 
completion of a great work on Comparative Anatomy, with 
which I have been engaged foralongtime? You shall have 
a share in my reputation; we will assist each other.” Al- 
lured by the lively gratification experienced by a man of 
merit on feeling himself appreciated, and appreciated by a 
superior nature, M. de Blainville hastened to accept of this 
co-operation. 
Placed forthwith in the first rank among the disciples, al- 
ready celebrated, who devoted laborious exertions to the exe- 
cution of works, the conception of which belonged only to their 
master, M. de Blainville, who could never endure the shadow 
of any kind of subordination, allowed the resentment of of- 
fended susceptibility to arise inhis mind. He became fretful, 
complained with bitterness, and was listened to with kindness 
and gentleness ; for much was to be pardoned in one who was 
of so much value. When the right ef finding fault was con- 
ceded to him, the intractable pupil placed it on so broad a 
basis, that Cuvier said, with a smile, “‘ Ask M. de Blainville’s 
opinion on any thing whatever, or even say to him only 
Good-day, he will reply, No!” 
Forced into a state of continual warfare, M. Cuvier still 
