58 THE LIFE OF PASTEUR 



had recourse to the resources of chemistry and optics. Biot 

 never ceased to admire the sagacity of the young experi- 

 mentalist who had turned what had until then been a mere 

 crystallographic character into an element of chemical research. 



Equally interested by the general consequences of these 

 studies, so delicate and so precise, M. de Senarmont wished in 

 his turn to examine the crystals. No one approved more fully 

 than he the expressions of the old scientist, who ended in this 

 way his 1851 report : "If M. Pasteur persists in the road he 

 has opened, it may be predicted of him that what he has found 

 is nothing to what he will find." And, delighted to see the 

 important position that Pasteur was taking at Strasburg and 

 the unexpected extension of crystallography, Biot wrote to 

 him : "I have read with much interest the thesis of your 

 brother-in-law, M. Loir. It is well conceived and well written, 

 and he establishes with clearness many very curious facts. M. 

 de Senarmont has also read it with very great pleasure, and I 

 beg you will transmit our united congratulations to your 

 brother-in-law." Biot added, mixing as he was wont family 

 details with scientific ideas : " We highly appreciated your 

 father, the rectitude of his judgment, his firm, calm, simple 

 reason and the enlightened love he bears you." 



" My plan of study is traced for this coming year," wrote 

 Pasteur to Chappuis at the end of December. " I am hoping 

 to develop it shortly in the most successful manner. . . . I think 

 I have already told you that I am on the verge of mysteries, 

 and that the veil which covers them is getting thinner and 

 thinner. The nights seem to me too long, yet I do not com- 

 plain, for I prepare my lectures easily, and often have five 

 whole days a week that I can give up to the laboratory. I 

 am often scolded by Mme. Pasteur, but I console her by telling 

 her that I shall lead her to fame." 



He already foresaw the greatness of his work. However 

 he dare not speak of it, and kept his secret, save with the 

 confidante who was now a collaborator, ever ready to act as 

 secretary, watching over the precious health of which he him- 

 self took no account, an admirable helpmeet, to whom might 

 be applied the Eoman definition, socia rei humance atque divina. 

 Never did life shower more affection upon a man. Everything 

 at that time smiled upon him. Two fair children in the home, 

 great security in his work, no enemies, and the comfort of 



