LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 201 



step. We knew him at once, though he seemed to 

 us different from all his portraits. We were first of 

 all struck by his eyes, deep, piercing, and yet as clear 

 as those of a child. He had nothing of that hard- 

 ness and severity that one is accustomed to see in his 

 portraits ; his features, too, seemed to us much finer 

 and more idealised. He looked straight into our eyes 

 as if he wished to read the depths of our souls. But 

 we were at once reassured by the kind and benevolent 

 expression of his whole face. He looked strong and 

 healthy and did not seem old, but full of inner life. 

 After the first words of welcome, he said to us, " You 

 resemble each other ; that happens after living 

 happily together for a long time." He questioned us 

 concerning our journey and on the impression made 

 upon us by Russia after our long absence ; then he 

 said he had to finish his morning task. 



His daughter and son took us for a walk through 

 the park and the village, and the friendly words they 

 exchanged with the peasants indicated excellent 

 relations between the villagers and the people of the 

 chateau. As soon as we came in, Leon Tolstoi re- 

 appeared, declaring that he gave himself holiday for 

 the day. He questioned Metchnikoff on his researches, 

 on the present state of hygiene, and on the application 

 of scientific discoveries. He listened attentively and 

 with visible interest. At the end of the conversation 

 he declared that it was quite erroneously that he was 

 thought to be hostile to Science, and that he only 

 denounced pseudo-science, which has nothing to do 

 with human welfare. " In reality," he said, " you and 

 I are aiming towards the same goal by different lines." 



All his words were impregnated with a deep 

 love for, and an ardent desire to serve, humanity. 



