120 LOUIS PASTEUR 



their misfortunes and the methods by which they 

 might be avoided. From England a business man 

 wrote to Pasteur, "In France people are astonished 

 that trade in French wines has not been more ex- 

 tensive in England since the commercial treaty. 

 The reason is quite simple. At first we received 

 these wines with eagerness. But we soon had the 

 sad experience that the business led to great losses 

 and to much embarrassment on account of the 

 maladies to which they are subject." 



The Emperor Napoleon III, who had followed 

 Pasteur's career with interest and appreciation, 

 called upon him for aid in this emergency. Pasteur 

 entered upon this investigation with his accustomed 

 energy. The volume of Studies on Wine (Etudes 

 sur le Vin), which is the product of his labors, was 

 dedicated to his royal patron in the following 

 terms : 



Sire, Your Majesty, concerned with reason over the 

 prejudice against the trade in French wines which has 

 caused the alterations to which they are subject has 

 deigned to invite me, now two years ago, to seek the 

 causes of the diseases of wines and the means of pre- 

 venting them. Since the day on which I was honored by 

 this important mission I have not ceased to devote my- 

 self entirely to this work. 



