SELECTED PAPERS 



voices are raised complaining about the neglect of microbiology as a 

 science. Let me cite Nicolle, the Director of the Pasteur Institute in 

 Tunesia, who after his visit to Paris recently wrote [Lichtenberger, 

 192 1] : 'Les etudes microbiologiques se meurent. Le pays qui a produit 

 Pasteur, Duclaux, Laveran, Roux, pour ne pas citer que les plus illus- 

 tres et qui a recueilli Metchnikoff, laisse, sans en temoigner nul souci, 

 perir une science qui lui a valu jusqu' a present une belle part de sa 

 gloire'. 



If I contemplate this state of affairs, and particularly if I recall Rahn's 

 sober tribute to my great predecessor's work in the field of theoretical 

 bacteriology, then it is inevitable that I close my address by returning 

 to my starting point. Once more shall I express my profound feeling 

 of responsibility towards microbiology, not merely as a subject to be 

 taught at this university, but also as a science. I shall endeavour to 

 serve it according to the best of my modest abilities. 



Members of the Board of Trustees, 

 It is for me a reason of deep-felt gratitude that you have been willing 

 to propose my name to the Government for the chair of microbiology ; 

 me who resided at so great a distance from my mother-country, and 

 who must perforce have been a more or less mythical personality to 

 you. To me this is proof that in your choice you have also been guided 

 by considerations of potentialities, which implies confidence in my 

 future efforts and ability. It will be my serious endeavour not to shame 

 this confidence. 



Moreover, I want to express the hope that you will not deny me 

 your support. Personally I do not doubt that you also represent that 

 spirit of progressiveness and that keen insight that were exhibited by 

 the educational authorities when, in 1895, tne Y decided to include bac- 

 teriology as a subject in the curriculum of the Polytechnical School, 

 a farsightedness which, as I have previously indicated, elicits the envy 

 of other countries even to-day. What I have said may contribute to 

 keeping alive the notion that, amongst the various sciences taught at 

 this university, general and applied microbiology deserves to occupy 

 an important place, at present, and perhaps even more so in future. 



Highly esteemed Beijerinck, 

 Amongst the congratulations that I received as a result of my appoint- 



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