INTRODUCTION XXVii 



will understand our deep sorrow, for they know the sen- 

 timents which united the workers of this institution to 

 its director. They were the sentiments of confidence, 

 respect and affection which a true chief inspires. 



"After Pasteur, no one knew better than Duclaux how 

 to direct this Institute, where are gathered together 

 young scientific men whose independence he knew how 

 to respect while directing their efforts toward a common 

 end. His authority was beloved, for it proceeded, not 

 from his position but from the qualities of his mind and 

 his heart. One went to him when he felt lost in the ob- 

 scurities of a scientific research, one went to him also 

 when he felt oppressed by the miseries of life. Confi- 

 dence was born from the beginning, so cordial was his 

 welcome, so much the luminous glance of his merry blue 

 eye expressed goodness. Duclaux soon learned what you 

 expected of him; his clear intelligence overcame the ob- 

 stacle which arrested you and his good heart always 

 found wherewith to comfort you. He never lost an 

 occasion to be obliging. On leaving him one always 

 felt stronger for scientific struggles as well as for moral 

 struggles. 



"The conversation of Duclaux, simple, full of imagery, 

 full of original ideas, was charming; it was moreover 

 beneficent, because it allowed a character of rare beauty 

 to show through. Thus, this man so jealous of his inde- 

 pendence, so respectful of that of others, became, with- 

 out suspecting it, a director of consciences. None of us, 

 disciples or friends, would have had a tranquil spirit if 

 Duclaux had disapproved any of his actions. 



"Duclaux owed this influence to the fact that his acts 

 were worth even more than his words. When he be- \ 

 lieved a thing just, nothing would have prevented him 1 

 from undertaking it. He went ahead without blowing 

 a trumpet, without considering the prejudices that would 



