MEMOIR OF M. FRANCOIS PERON. Memoir of M. Peron, Correspondent de l'Institute, IN the following Memoir, we invite attention to a brief sketch of the eventful life of the illustrious Peron, whose course was alike short and brilliant. In early life, disabled from further service in that bloody field, misnamed the field of glory, for which by nature he was peculiarly fitted, but where he witnessed much that almost broke his heart, he betook himself to the study of Natural History, and, after a period of ardent application, he spent several most busy years in the dreary regions of the Antarctic Seas-there working as Naturalist had never worked before. He then returned to Paris, loaded with the spoils of his successful industry B and skill, and when the first fruits were just begin ning to give promise of a most glorious harvest, he was himself cut down in early spring, as is feelingly expressed in our interesting portrait, which, with its motto, may prove a homily to every heart :-[] s'est desséché comme un arbre chargé des plus beaux fruits qui succombe à l'excès de sa fécondité. FRANCOIS PERON was born at Cerilly, in August 1775. From his earliest years his intelligence exhibited itself by his extreme curiosity, and an insatiable desire for information. Scarcely had he learnt to spell, when his passion for reading became so strong, that, to gratify it, he had recourse to all those little arts to which children usually resort to procure their play. The death of his father having deprived him of all resources, his relatives wished to engage him in some lucrative trade. Almost in despair at the thoughts of being torn from his favourite delights, he prevailed on his mother to send him to the College of Cerilly, where the Principal, delighted with the tastes of his scholar, became much attached to him, and spared no pains on his improvement. His elementary studies being finished, he advised him to become an ecclesiastic, and the curate of the town consented to take him under his roof, and superintend his professional pursuits. Up to this period, Peron, absorbed in his studies, was quite ignorant of the extraordinary events which were then agitating the world. He heard of them with astonishment; and, seduced by those principles of false liberty which led to the Revolution, inflamed by what is misnamed patriotism, and seduced by the examples of ancient history, he longed to embrace the profession of arms. He then quitted his home, betook himself to Moulins, and joined the battalion of L'Allier, towards the close of the eventful year 1792. He was soon sent to the army of the Rhine, and found himself at the Siege of Landeau, where the garrison maintained a most obstinate defence. After the siege was raised, he rejoined the army in the field, fought in the battle of Wissembourg against the Prussians, and was again present when the French experienced a defeat at Kaiserslautern. On this occasion Peron was wounded and taken prisoner; he was soon conducted first to Wesel, and then to the Citadel of Magdebourg. It was many years after the occurrence of these events, when, on the bosom of the wide Atlantic, he entered in his private journal the following reflection:- "Alas! how many excesses and villanies have soiled the trophies of our soldiers how many a deep sigh have they wrung from my heart! I could not, indeed, restrain them; but I never joined in them: though I was young and enthusiastic, yet the rights of misfortune were always sacred in my eyes.” During his captivity he gave himself up to study, to which even when on service he was much addicted; and now that he had no other employment, he devoted himself, without distraction, to the read ing of history, and the careful perusal of voyages and travels. Being liberated from prison, in exchange, in 1794, he was discharged from the army on account of the loss of an eye, and returned home in 1795, at the age of twenty. After remaining several months in the bosom of his family, wishing for some active and honourable employment, he solicited the Minister of the Interior that he might become an élève of the Medical School of Paris, where, for three years, he not only studied Physic, but also devoted himself to Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, and then took his degree. His previous study of Mathematics, of Languages, of Philosophy, and, most of all, his own reflections, had given him such a methodical turn, that he was enabled to arrange and classify his knowledge with wonderful rapidity, in every department of science, and to an extent that astonished his associates. But, whilst ambitious of distinction, and enamoured with study, a still stronger passion now took possession of his heart; he loved with all his constitutional enthusiasm; but his suit being rejected, on account of his poverty, he was almost driven to despair. His distress was extreme, and he took a disgust even to his country, in which his cruel disappointment was often forced on his notice, and where he no longer expected either comfort or peace. Not being eligible for the army, he looked round for some other adventurous career, and the Government Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere, consisting of two frigates, Le Geographé and Le Na turalist, being on the eve of departure, he solicited an engagement in the service; but the complement of Savants being filled up, his offer was rejected. Under these circumstances, he applied to M. de Jussieu, one of the Commissioners for the appointment of Naturalists, imploring his good offices, and at the same time explaining his views with an enthusiasm which manifested he was capable of executing what he so boldly planned. Jussieu listened with astonishment, and advised him to present a written explanation of his plan. He then recounted to his colleagues his conversation with M. Peron; and, in concert with Lacépède, determined not to repel a young man in whom was conjoined such extraordinary energy, with an extent of information much above his years. Some days after, M. Peron read to the Institute a Memoir on the importance of adding to the other Savants of the Expedition a person who was at once a Physician and a Naturalist, and who would especially undertake to make researches on Anthropology, or the natural history of man. Every one was delighted with the suggestion, and the Minister conferred on Peron the appointment of Zoologist to the Expedition. The short time that was now at his disposal he employed in obtaining from Messrs Lacépède, Cuvier, and others, such hints as would be useful in his researches. He determined to devote his energies principally to Zoology, as that portion of Natural History which presented the widest and most inviting field. He procured the necessary books and |