CHAPTER VII 



THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GENIUS 



IN spite of a small refractory group, Pasteur's 

 rise into fame was continuous, and his 

 genius radiated throughout the scientific world 

 of Europe. The government had appointed 

 him as delegate to the International Medical 

 Congress held at London in April, 1881; and 

 there he was the recipient of exceptional hon- 

 ours. M. Vallery-Radot cites a very beautiful 

 letter, which Pasteur wrote to his wife concern- 

 ing the attentions that he received. When the 

 President of the Congress. Sir James Paget, 

 happened to mention his name, the entire as- 

 semblage burst into applause, and Pasteur was 

 obliged to rise and salute'his colleagues. 



"I was very proud," he wrote, "very proud 

 internally, not for myself you know how I feel 

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