MEMOIR OF LAMARCK. 
59 
ance with the ideas which prevailed in science, 
were not calculated to recommend him to those who 
had the power of dispensing favours. When num- 
berless infirmities, brought on by old age, had in- 
creased his wants, nearly his whole means of support 
consisted of a small income derived from his chair. 
The friends of science, attracted by the high reputa- 
tion which his botanical and zoological works had 
conferred on him, witnessed this with surprise. It 
appeared to them, that a government which protects 
the sciences, ought to have provided for the wants 
of a celebrated individual ; but their esteem for him 
was doubled, when they saw the fortitude with which 
the illustrious old man bore up against the assaults 
both of fortune and of nature. They particularly 
admired the devotedness which he inspired in such 
of his children as remained with him. His eldest 
daughter, entirely devoted to the duties of filial 
affection for many years, never left him for an 
instant, readily engaged in every study which might 
supply his want of sight, wrote to his dictation a 
portion of his last works, and accompanied and 
supported him as long as he was able to take some 
exercise. Her sacrifices, indeed, were carried to a 
degree which it is impossible to express ; when the 
father could no longer leave his room, the daughter 
never left the house. When she afterwards did so, 
for the first time, she was incommoded by the free 
air, the use of which had been so long unfamiliar 
to her. It is rare to see virtue carried to such a 
degree, and it is not less so to inspire it to that 
