242 LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 



wood-cutters in the forest, tliat mobilisation had 

 commenced. . . . 



Another storm broke out in the night. Again the 

 rolling of the thunder shook our nerves and seemed 

 like the echo of distant battles ; again mysterious 

 automobiles and horsemen raced along the road, and 

 everjrthing, every sound, every shadow seemed 

 sinister. 



We did not feel any fear, but a kind of insupport- 

 able nervous tension. Later, when we were much 

 nearer real danger, we did not experience this electric, 

 almost morbid feeling. 



The next day, Germany had declared war on 

 France. 



It was only with much difficulty that we found 

 a carriage to take us to the station. On the road 

 we were constantly being passed by various vehicles, 

 crowded with soldiers and young men going off. The 

 little station was full of people, the train also. Moved 

 and excited, the people shouted, " Vive la France ! " 

 and sent friendly salutes to unknown soldiers in the 

 train. Women, seeing their men off, were tr5dng to 

 be gay ; they encouraged the departing ones, and 

 only wept after they were gone. The general im- 

 pression, both moral and material, was excellent ; 

 every one seemed equal to his task, conscious of 

 his duty, and desirous of fulfilling it well. The 

 mobilisation seemed well organised, everything was 

 being accomplished without any flurry or bustle, 

 even the trains were almost punctual. 



All small personal interests and party quarrels 

 which had latterly poisoned life now suddenly dis- 

 appeared ; everywhere the desire to be useful was 

 noticeable ; people became better, there was more 



