140 LOUIS PASTEUR 



It was a period of great solicitude for many 

 friends who were anxious to be of service to the 

 sufferer and his family. "All scientific Paris," 

 wrote Pasteur's cousin, "comes with anxiety to in- 

 form itself concerning the condition of the patient; 

 intimate freinds take turns in waiting by him. 

 Dumas, the great chemist, insisted yesterday in the 

 most affectionate manner on fulfilling the same 

 duty. Every morning the Emperor and Empress 

 send a footman to obtain news." 



Recovery was slow. A laboratory whose con- 

 struction had been authorized by the Emperor for 

 Pasteur's researches had been started, but work on 

 it was discontinued, apparently on account of the 

 probability that Pasteur might never be able to use 

 it. During his illness the patient would enquire 

 anxiously how the building was getting on, but he 

 was put off with various evasive answers. Pasteur 

 soon became aware of this and expressed himself 

 with some bitterness. The Emperor hearing of 

 Pasteur's disappointment wrote the following note 

 to the Minister of Public Instruction: 



My dear Monsieur Duruy: 



I have learned that, doubtless without your knowledge, 

 work was suspended on M. Pasteur's laboratory on the 



