1844—1849 49 



are good health, some courage, and my position in the 

 Universite. 



"I left the Ecole Normale two years ago, an agrege in 

 physical science. I have held a Doctor's degree eighteen 

 months, and I have presented to the Academie a few works 

 which have been very well received, especially the last one, 

 upon which a report was made which I now have the honour 

 to enclose. 



"This, Sir, is all my present position. As to the future, 

 unless my tastes should completely change, I shall give myself 

 up entirely to chemical research. I hope to return to Paris 

 when I have acquired some reputation through my scientific 

 labours. M. Biot has often told me to think seriously about 

 the Institute ; perhaps I may do so in ten or fifteen years' time, 

 and after assiduous work ; but this is but a dream , and not the 

 motive which makes me love Science for Science's sake. 



" My father will himself come to Strasburg to make this 

 proposal of marriage. 



" Accept, Sir, the assurance of my profound respect, etc. 



" P.S. — I was twenty-six on December 27." 



A definite answer was adjourned for a few weeks. Pasteur, 

 in a letter to Madame Laurent, wrote, " I am afraid that Mile. 

 Marie may be influenced by early impressions, unfavourable to 

 me. There is nothing in me to attract a young girl's fancy. 

 But my recollections tell me that those who have known me 

 very well have loved me very much." 



Of these letters, religiously preserved, fragments like the 

 following have also been obtained. ' All that I beg of you, 

 Mademoiselle (he had now been authorised to address himself 

 directly to her) is that you will not judge me too hastily, and 

 therefore misjudge me. Time will show you that below my 

 cold, shy and unpleasing exterior, there is a heart full of 

 affection for you!" In another letter, evidently remorseful 

 at forsaking the laboratory, he says, "I, who did so love my 

 crystals ! " 



He loved them still, as is proved by an answer from Biot to 

 a proposal of Pasteur's. In order to spare the old man's 

 failing sight, Pasteur had the ingenious idea of cutting out of 

 pieces of cork, with exquisite skill, some models of crystalline 

 types greatly enlarged. He had tinted the edges and faces, 



B 



