INTRODUCTION xxiii 



comfortably in his armchair and recount to me with 

 his usual spirit and animation some period or episode 

 of his past. I read to him a sketch of the first part of 

 this biography and a few chapters only of the second, 

 which was hardly begun. Thus we spent many 

 evenings, never to be forgotten. 



He wanted this biography written, for he held that 

 the evolution of a mind, of a character, of a human 

 life is always an interesting psychological document. 



During his long and painful illness, he urged me to 

 relate the " last chapter " of his life ; he hoped that 

 his attitude in the face of death might diminish the 

 fear of it in others. Also he considered that men are 

 rare who are conscious until the end ; even rarer, those 

 who reach the development of the " death-instinct." 

 Therefore, according to him, an example would be 

 interesting. 



I have tried to accomplish his desire within the 

 measure of my strength. 



The only object of this simple and truthful story 

 is to show Elie Metchnikoff as he was, a help, a support, 

 and a lesson to others. 



I dedicate this book to his dear memory. 



OLGA METCHNIKOFF. 



SfevBES, 15th Dec. 1918. 



