CHAPTEE VI 



1865—1870 



An epidemic was ruining in terrible proportions the industry 

 of the cultivation of silkworms. J. B. Dumas had been desired, 

 as Senator, to draw up a report on the wishes of over 3,500 

 proprietors in sericicultural departments, all begging the public 

 authorities to study the question of the causes of the pro- 

 tracted epidemic. Dumas was all the more preoccupied as 

 to the fate of sericiculture that he himself came from one of 

 the stricken departments. He was born on July 14, 1800, 

 in one of the back streets of the town of Alais, to which he 

 enjoyed returning as a celebrated scientist and a dignitary of 

 the Empire. He gave much attention to all the problems 

 which interested the national prosperity and considered that 

 the best judges in these matters were the men of science. He 

 well knew the conscientious tenacity — besides other character- 

 istics — which his pupil and friend brought into any under- 

 taking, and anxiously urged him to undertake this study. 

 "Your proposition," wrote Pasteur in a few hurried lines, 

 ' ' throws me into a great perplexity ; it is indeed most flatter- 

 ing and the object is a high one, but it troubles and em- 

 barrasses me ! Kemember, if you please, that I have never 

 even touched a silkworm. If I had some of your knowledge 

 on the subject I should not hesitate ; it may even come within 

 the range of my present studies. However, the recollection of 

 your many kindnesses to me would leave me bitter regrets if I 

 were to decline your pressing invitation. Do as you like with 

 me." On May 17, 1865, Dumas wrote : " I attach the greatest 

 value to seeing your attention fixed on the question which 

 interests my poor country ; the distress is beyond anything 

 you can imagine." 



Before his departure for Alais, Pasteur had read an essay 

 on the history of the silkworm, published by one of his col- 



i 2 



