THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GENIUS 149 



It was only when he was forced to it that Pas- 

 teur showed the brilliance of his mind. One 

 day at the Academy of Sciences two contra- 

 dictory spirits were raising objections unworthy 

 of attention regarding certain discoveries. After 

 a crushing reply, Pasteur, apostrophising them 

 both together, said to the one, 'Do you know 

 what you lack? You lack the power of obser- 

 vation ! ' and to the other, 'And you, the power 

 of reasoning!' A murmur arose. The Acad- 

 emy was protesting against the lack of cour- 

 tesy in his form of speech. Pasteur at once 

 interrupted himself. 



" 'The heat of the discussion carried me 

 away/ he said; 'I regret my impetuosity. I 

 beg that my colleagues will accept my sincere 

 apology/ 



"His extreme simplicity and frankness pleased 

 the members, when suddenly he added : 



" 'I have acknowledged myself at fault; I 

 have willingly made my excuses ; may I not be 

 permitted to plead an extenuating circum- 

 stance? It is this, that what I said was true! 7 



