EXPERIMENTS IN CHEMISTRY 35 



whose nobility and sweetness of character are so 

 transparent that they inspire, almost at once, a 

 perfect confidence. Mere time, as an element in 

 acquaintance and understanding, becomes an irrele- 

 vant detail. Only two weeks after Pasteur's ar- 

 rival, he sent, in accordance with prevailing custom 

 in such matters, the following communication to 

 M. Laurent: 



Monsieur, a request of high import for me and for 

 your family will be made to you in the course of a few 

 days, and I believe that it is my duty to put you in 

 possession of the following facts, which may enable you 

 to grant or refuse this request: 



My father is a tanner in Arbois, a little village in the 

 Jura. My sisters, in the care of the household and the 

 business, take the place of my mother, whom we had 

 the misfortune to lose during last May. My family is in 

 a comfortable position, but without fortune. I estimate 

 our possessions at not over 50,000 francs; and, as to 

 myself, I have long since decided to leave to my sisters 

 all that may fall to my lot. I have therefore no fortune. 

 All that I possess is good health, good principles, and 

 my position in the University. I graduated two years 

 ago from the Ecole Normale as an Agrege in Physical 

 Science. I took my doctor's degree eighteen months ago, 

 and I have presented to the Academy of Sciences some 



