8 PASTEUR 



those who preside over the unfolding and nur- 

 [turing of young minds. 



When barely sixteen years of age Louis Pas- 

 teur, who at this time was applying himself 

 with tireless tenacity to the pursuit of his stud- 

 ies, was sent to Paris for the purpose of being 

 prepared to enter the Ecole Normale. This 

 meant a sacrifice on the part of the family, 

 which had been augmented to the extent of 

 two young daughters. But it was lightened by 

 the concessions, made by the director of the 

 pension, M. Darbet, a compatriot from 

 Franche-Comte. Louis Pasteur left his beloved 

 little town of Arbois accompanied by one of 

 his fellow pupils, Jules Vercel, in October, 1838. 

 But no sooner had he reached Paris than a 

 sombre melancholy seized him. He could not 

 forget the home circle he had left behind him ; 

 and in consequence of these memories that kept 

 him awake throughout long nights he fell into 

 a state of languor and ill health that rendered 

 him unfit for any work. 



"Oh! if I could only smell the odour of the 



