452 THE LIFE OF PASTEUR 



department of Constantine. I am happy that I have been 

 able to render this slight homage to your illustrious person." 

 **I feel a deep emotion," replied Pasteur, "in thinking that, 

 thanks to you, my name will remain attached to that corner 

 of the world. When a child of this village asks what was 

 the origin of this denomination, I should like the schoolmaster 

 to tell him simply that it is the name of a Frenchman who 

 loved France very much, and who, by serving her, contributed 

 to the good of humanity. My heart is thrilled at the thought 

 that my name might one day awaken the first feelings of 

 patriotism in a child *s soul. I shall owe to you this great joy 

 in my old age; I thank you more than I can say." The 

 origin of Seriana is very ancient. M. Stephane Gsell relates 

 that this village was occupied long before the coming of the 

 Romans, by a tribe which became Christian, as is seen by ruins 

 of chapels and basilicas. It is situated on the slope of a 

 mountain covered with oaks and cedars, and giving rise to 

 springs of fresh water. A bust of Pasteur was soon after 

 erected in this village, at the request of the inhabitants. 



Enthusiasm for Pasteur was spreading everywhere. 

 Women understood that science was entering their domain, 

 since it served charity. They gave magnificent gifts; clauses 

 in wills bore these words: **To Pasteur, to help in his 

 humanitarian task." In November, 1893, Pasteur saw an 

 unknown lady enter his study in the Rue Dutot, and heard her 

 speak thus: "There must be some students who love science 

 and who, having to earn their living, cannot give themselves 

 up to disinterested work. I should like to place at your dis- 

 posal four scholarships, for four young men chosen by you. 

 Each scholarship would be of 3,000 fr.; 2,400 for the men 

 themselves, and 600 fr. for the expenses they would incur in 

 your laboratories. Their lives would be rendered easier. You 

 could find amongst them, either an immediate collaborator 

 for your Institute or a missionary whom you might send far 

 away; and if a medical career tempted them, they would be 

 enabled by their momentarj^ independence to prepare them- 

 selves all the better for their profession. I only ask one thing, 

 which is that my name should not be mentioned." 



Pasteur was infinitely touched by the scheme of this mys- 

 terious lady. The scholarship foundation was for one year only, 

 but other years were about to follow and to resemble this one. 



