LOVE OF TRUTH 127 



written at length, and he has written well. That he 

 is not a man of strict scientific training in no way 

 detracts from the merit of the work ; rather, in many 

 respects, this makes the book more readable. The 

 pupils of Pasteur, who are now carrying on his work, 

 have, out of the abundance of their knowledge, helped 

 in the more technical portions of the book; whilst 

 M. Vallery-Radot, from his intimacy and relationship 

 with the subject of his biography, has been able to 

 supply those personal details which form so essential 

 and so interesting a part of every good biography. 



For one who knew Pasteur only during the last 

 decade of his life to attempt any account of his 

 character may savour of impertinence. Still, it is 

 impossible to close this article without some tribute 

 to his simple dignity of manner, and, above all, to his 

 infinite kindness. No man has done more to lessen 

 suffering in this world, both in man and in the lower 

 animals, and probably but few have felt so much 

 sympathy with suffering in others. As a boy and 

 French country boys are not more thoughtful about 

 the suffering of animals than those of other races he 

 refused to go shooting. ' La vue d'une alouette 

 blessee lui faisait mal.' As an old man it was a 

 touching sight to see him amongst the sufferers under 

 treatment at the Institut Pasteur, patting the little 

 children on the head, heartening up the timid and 

 giving sous to the brave, infinitely tender to the 

 frightened mothers. ' Men of science, my Sandra, are 

 always the humanest,' as Laura said in 'Vittoria.' 

 Another dominating trait in his character was his 

 unflinching desire for truth ; to 4 prove all things,' 

 and to ' hold fast that which is good,' was the 

 motto of his working life. His success was in no 

 small measure due to the rigorous tests he applied 

 at all stages of his investigations ; it was also due 

 to the untiring assiduity with which he worked, 



