AN INTELLIGENT PUPIL. G5

some of the plates of his work, knew not at what.
cost the originals had been procured. Tn the
slight sketch now about to be given of this most
enthusiastic zoologist, the reader will sce an ex-
ample of almost unequalled devotedness and zeal.

Francois Peron was born 22d August 1775, at
Perilly, a small town in the Bourbonnais. The
death of his father left him unprovided for, and
his relatives were desirous that he should be taught
some lucrative business. Already the boy had
shown intense love of books and study, and, dis-
consolate at the idea of being shut out from the
acquirement of information, he prevailed on his
mother to send him to the college of Cerilly, where
the principal, charmed with the intelligence of his
pupu, paid particular attention to his education,
and when his preliminary studies were finished
advised him to become an ecclesiastic, with which
intention he was placed under the care of the curé
of the town, who was to instruct him in philosophy
and theology.

Just at this time the Revolution broke out, and
young Peron, seduced by the exalted pictures of
patriotism he had read in ancient history, deter-
mined to take his share in the mighty conflict, and
to embrace the cause of Liberty. He accordingly
left his home at the close of 1792, and enrolled
himself in the battalion of L’Allier. He was but