18651870 123 



ment to the memory of this, perhaps the greatest of all French 

 scientists. He had hoped that a Bill would be passed by the 

 Government of Louis Philippe decreeing that this edition of 

 Lavoisier's works would be produced at the expense of the 

 State. But the usual obstacles and formalities came in the 

 way. Governments succeeded each other, and it was only in 

 1861 that Dumas obtained the decree he wished for and that 

 the book appeared. 



Certainly Pasteur knew and admired as much as any one the 

 discoveries of Lavoisier. But, in the presence of the series of 

 labours accomplished, in spite of many other burdens, during 

 that life cut off in its prime by the Eevolutionary Tribunal 

 (1792), labours collated for the first time by Dumas, Pasteur 

 was filled with a new and vivid emotion. His logic in reason- 

 ing and his patience in observing nature had in no wise 

 diminished the impetuous generosity of his feelings ; a beautiful 

 book, a great discovery, a brilliant exploit or a humble act of 

 kindness would move him to tears. Concerning such a man as 

 Lavoisier, Pasteur's curiosity became a sort of worship. He 

 would have had the history of such a life spread everywhere. 

 "Though one discovery always surpasses another, and though 

 the chemical and physical knowledge accumulated since his 

 time has gone beyond all Lavoisier's dreams," wrote Pasteur, 

 " his work, like that of Newton and a few other rare spirits, will 

 remain ever young. Certain details will age, as do the fashions 

 of another time, but the foundation, the method, constitute 

 one of those great aspects of the human mind, the majesty 

 of which is only increased by years. ..." 



Pasteur's article appeared in the Monitcur and was much 

 praised by the celebrated critic Sainte Beuve, whose literary 

 lectures were often attended by Pasteur, between 1857 and 

 1861. The chronological order that we are following in this 

 history of Pasteur's life allows us to follow the ideas and feel- 

 ings with which he lived his life of hard daily work combined 

 with daily devotion to others. Joys and sorrows can be 

 chronicled, thanks to the confidences of those who loved him. 

 His fame is indeed part of the future, but the tenderness which 

 he inspired revives the memories of the past. 



In September, 1865, little Camille died. Pasteur took the 

 tiny coffin to Arbois and went back to his work. A. letter 

 written in November alludes to the depth of his grief. 



It was a propos of a candidature to the Academic des 



