xxii LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



once both complex and one-sided, it was necessary to 

 possess the key to his psychology. In his life, as in 

 his work, everything was so closely knitted that it 

 was impossible to understand the whole without know- 

 ledge of every link of his evolution. 



In the soothing calm of that summer evening, I 

 submitted my reflections to him ; he warmly en- 

 couraged me, and I then and there resolved to write 

 his biography. He advised me to relate his whole 

 life without any reticence, considering that thus 

 alone does a biography justify its existence. That 

 advice was to guide me, within limits, for to dissect 

 an individual life without touching other lives as well 

 is not always possible. 



Numerous were the difficulties before me ; yet, I 

 considered the task as a mission, hoping, in spite of 

 all, that this biography would present a true picture 

 of the life and evolution of Elie MetchnikofL 



We talked over this project for a long time. The 

 moon now appeared above the trees, the soft light 

 tracing silver designs through the ivy leaves. The 

 lawn, the walnut tree in front of the house, and every- 

 thing around us was bathed in peaceful radiance. 

 Under its mysterious charm, we ceased to speak, we 

 listened to the inward voices of nature and of our 

 own hearts. 



In youth, vague reveries fill our minds; after a long 

 life, distant memories. ... He whose life I describe 

 is no more. . . . Without his help my task could not 

 have been accomplished. 



Often, when he was not too tired, he would sit 



