Georges CUVIER (1769-1832), zoologist and palaeontologist. Autograph letter signed to citizen Berthier, secretary of the Lycée républicain. 1 p. in-4, "Au Jardin des Plantes", 13 nivose an 8 [3 January 1800]. Address on the back. After his appointment to the Lycée Républicain in place of Brongniart. "You treat with too much kindness a light friendly service, which I propose to render to C. Brongniart, who finds himself in a difficult situation. Brongniart, who is currently overloaded with work. I do not flatter myself at all to fill the void that this kind and learned Professor will leave for natural history by switching to teaching chemistry; but I will at least do my utmost to make myself less unworthy of the interest shown in me by the Lycée administration. I will be able to take the hours that C. My first lesson will be on the division of animals into classes, and the characteristics of these classes.