50 PASTEUR 



ing or in full vigour. This was indeed a light 

 thrown upon what had hitherto been nothing 

 but darkness, a discovery which was destined 

 to create an entire new science and of which the 

 consequences were at that time incalculable. 



The scientific associations, both in France 

 and abroad, disturbed at first by Pasteur's far- 

 sighted genius and by the unforeseen results- of 

 his researches, awaited his communications 

 with something bordering upon impatience. He 

 received recognition beyond any of the other 

 young investigators, for he had proved himself 

 to be one of those with whom it was henceforth 

 necessary to reckon. He began to receive rec- 

 ompenses. In 1857 the Royal Society of Lon- 

 don bestowed upon him the great Rumford 

 medal for his work in crystalography, and the 

 same year his friends in the Institute, and Biot 

 among the first, who felt a paternal affection 

 for him, urged him to present himself as a can- 

 didate for the Academy of Sciences in the sec- 

 tion of mineralogy. Pasteur accepted this flat- 

 tering invitation from the masters of his pro- 



