LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 75 



civilised races, demands a long period of development 

 in order to equal that of the adult, whilst certain 

 instincts in the organism mature, on the contrary, long 

 before their function is possible. Moreover, a child's 

 sensibility is extremely developed whilst his will is 

 by no means so. These causes provoke suffering and 

 a series of regrettable consequences. 



Apart from frenzied efforts and unceasing labour, 

 Metchnikoff was going through a painful moral crisis, 

 due to the impossibility of making his conduct accord 

 with his convictions. Party intrigues continued to 

 be rife at the Odessa University : Poles were being 

 persecuted by Nationalists ; one professor was refused 

 admission on account of his Polish nationality, and 

 Cienkovsky resigned by way of protest. Metchnikoff 

 shared his views and longed to follow his example, 

 but was prevented by his lack of means and felt it 

 deeply. It also went against his conscience to ask 

 for leave as frequently as his wife's condition made it 

 necessary. 



She wished to see her parents once again before 

 going to Madeira, and he took her to Russia for the 

 last time : she never saw her family again. 



At last they were able to start. The long journey 

 was very fatiguing, the sea voyage was rough, but, 

 when she landed in Madeira, the patient thought herself 

 saved. The very next morning Metchnikoff started 

 feverishly on a voyage of discovery. Nature on the 

 island was extremely beautiful ; alone the sight of 

 numerous sick people reminded him of suffering and 

 death. The words " a flower-decked grave " haunted 

 his mind, and a growing despondency warned him that 

 he had nothing to expect from this luxuriant spot. 

 From the aspect of the rocky coast, beaten by the 



