64 HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM. 



consequence of this decision , M. de la Billarderie 

 convoked the officers , who ,'. naming M, Dau- 

 benton president and M. de Lacepede secretary, 

 drew up a report, which was signed by the per- 

 sons then in office, and by MM. Petit and Le- 

 monnier, as honorary professors. 



The regulations proposed were very similar to 

 those adopted three years after. During that in- 

 terval, the officers ceased to assemble, or to oc- 

 cupy themselves about the administration ; but con- 

 tinued to discharge their professional duties with 

 so much zeal, that several of them delivered twice 

 the number of lectures prescribed, and, after the 

 public lessons, gave private instructions to such 

 pupils as thought proper to consult them. This 

 was all that in existing circumstances could be 

 done , to keep alive the ardour for science , and 

 to aid the progress of the student. 



The disorders of the revolution beginning at 

 this period, M. de la Billarderie withdrew from 

 France, and his place of intendant was filled by 

 the appointment of M. de Saint-Pierre in 1792. 



M. de Saint-Pierre undertook the direction of 

 the King's Garden at a difficult conjuncture. That 

 distinguished writer was gifted with eminent 

 talents as a painter of nature , and a master of 

 the milder affections ; he knew how at once 

 to awaken both the heart and the imagination ; 



