A STUDIOUS BOYHOOD 5 



factor of humanity: on a field azure, a pelican 

 or plucking her breast above her young, sup- 

 ported on a nest or, with drops of blood gules. 

 Its population, consisting of a few bourgeois 

 families, and chiefly of vine-growers and ar- 

 tizans, are rough in manner and at the same 

 time proud. They convey an impression of 

 stalwart courage and rugged honesty. Joseph 

 Pasteur numbered among them several chosen 

 friends, Dr. Dumont, retired army surgeon ; M. 

 Bousson de Mairet, the historian of Franche- 

 Comte ; M. Romanet, the principal of the high 

 school, and a few others besides who were fre- 

 quent visitors at the tannery. Young Louis 

 used to listen to their conversations, in which 

 duty, industry and patriotism were exalted; 

 and, through the direct influence of his father, 

 he became imbued with high and noble senti- 

 ments. 



While still very young he was sent to the pri- 

 mary school, and later to the Arbois college, 

 where he began his classical studies. As a pu- 

 pil, he was rather slow, and gave no indication 



