310 THE LIFE OF PASTEUR 



a colleague, and that in all discussions of that kind, he never 

 thought of anything but to defend the exactitude of his own 

 work. 



The Journal de la Medecine et de la Chimie, edited by M. 

 Lucas-Championniere, said a propos of this very reasonable 

 letter — "We, for our part, admire the meekness of M. Pasteur, 

 who is so often described as combative and ever on the war- 

 path. Here we have a scientist, who now and then makes 

 short, substantial and extremely interesting communications. 

 He is not a medical man, and yet, guided by his genius, he 

 opens new paths across the most arduous studies of medical 

 science. Instead of being offered the tribute of attention and 

 admiration which he deserves, he meets with a raging opposi* 

 lion from some quarrelsome individuals, ever inclined to con- 

 tradict after listening as little as possible. If he makes use of 

 a scientific expression not understood by everybody, or if he 

 uses a medical expression slightly incorrectly, then rises before 

 him the spectre of endless speeches, intended to prove to him 

 that all was for the best in medical science before it was assisted 

 by the precise studies and resources of chemistry and experi- 

 mentation. . . . Indeed, M. Pasteur's expression of equivo- 

 cation seemed to us moderate!'* 



How many such futile incidents, such vain quarrels, traverse 

 the life of a great man! Later on, we only see glory, 

 apotheosis, and the statues in public places; the demi-gods 

 seemed to have marched in triumph towards a grateful pos- 

 terity. But how many obstacles and oppositions are there to 

 retard the progress of a free mind desirous of bringing his 

 task to a successful conclusion and incited by the fruitful 

 thought of Death, ever present to spirits preoccupied with 

 interests of a superior order? Pasteur looked upon himself 

 as merely a passing guest of those homes of intellect which 

 he wished to enlarge and fortify for those who would come 

 after him. 



Confronted with the hostility, indifference and scepticism 

 which he found in the members of the Medical Academy, he 

 once appealed to the students who sat on the seats open to 

 the public. 



''Young men, you who sit on those benches, and who are 

 perhaps the hope of the medical future of the country, do not 

 come here to seek the excitement of polemics, but come and 

 learn Method." 



