34 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



favourite pursuits and resumed the study of the long- 

 neglected school programme. The last examinations 

 took place in the spring of 1862. It happened to be 

 the Italian Opera season and Elie could not resist the 

 temptations offered him by music. In order to make 

 up the time, he often had to work the whole night 

 long at the cost of severe fatigue. 



In spite of this complication, he passed his exam- 

 inations brilliantly and obtained the gold medal. 

 He now wished for nothing but to devote himself to 

 scientific study. 



