“Nothing could be more singular than his manners, his life, and his _ménage_. Two old maiden ladies, Mdlles. de Fourcroy, sisters of the professor of that name, kept his house. I remember the first time that I entered it, I was ushered into a sort of bed-chamber, which likewise served as a drawing-room. One of these ladies was in bed, but employed in preparations for the kitchen; and was actually paring truffles.... Nothing could be more extraordinary than the simplicity of his conversation;--he had not the slightest tact, and even in the presence of young ladies, talked of subjects which, since the paradisaical times, never have been the objects of common conversation.” “CUVIER had even in his address and manner the character of a superior man;--much general power and eloquence in conversation, and a great variety of information on scientific as well as popular subjects. I should say of him, that he is the most distinguished man of _talents_ I have known; but I doubt if he is entitled to the appellation of a man of genius.” “HUMBOLDT was one of the most agreeable men I have ever known, social, modest, full of intelligence, with facilities of every kind: almost _too fluent_ in conversation. His travels display a spirit of enterprise. His works are monuments of the variety of his knowledge and resources.” Of his great rival his comment is as follows:-- “GAY LUSSAC was quick, lively, ingenious, and profound, with great activity of mind and great facility of manipulation. I should place him at the head of living chemists of France.” “BERTHOLLET was a most amiable man; when the friend of Napoleon even, always good, conciliatory and modest, frank and candid. He had no airs, and many graces. In every way below La Place in intellectual powers, he appeared superior to him in moral qualities. Berthollet had no appearance of a man of genius; but one could not look on La Place’s physiognomy without being convinced that he was a very extraordinary man.”