LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 29 



name soon appeared on the honours list. The 

 Russian language teacher became his friend, and 

 greatly contributed to his development by choosing 

 for him books of general knowledge. Under this 

 direction Elie read, among other things. Buckle's 

 History of Civilisation, which had at that time a very 

 great influence on the young Russian mind. Accord- 

 ing to the author's principal thesis, the progress of 

 humanity depended chiefly upon that of positive 

 science ; this idea sunk deeply into the boy's mind and 

 confirmed his scientific aspirations. 



When he reached the fifth class he formed a 

 friendship with one of his school-fellows, Bogomoloff, 

 who had great influence over Elie's ulterior develop- 

 ment ; he was the son of a colour manufacturer, and 

 his elder brothers were studying chemistry at the 

 Kharkoff University with a view to applying it to 

 their industry. They had travelled abroad and had 

 brought back novel ideas and books forbidden by the 

 Russian censorship ; they influenced their young 

 brother, who in his turn initiated Elie. It was thus 

 that the latter became acquainted with materialistic 

 ideas and social theories ; he read the Popular Star, 

 the Bell ofHerzin, and other publications prohibited in 

 Russia. Little by Uttle he lost the faith which he had 

 held when under his mother's influence. Atheism, how- 

 ever, was to him more interesting than disappointing ; 

 it incited in him a state of general criticism. Ardently 

 passionate in this as in aU things, he preached atheism 

 to others and received the nickname of " God is not." 

 The course of teaching at the Lycee did not escape his 

 criticism; when he had reached the fourth class he 

 omitted those exercises which seemed to him devoid 



r 



of interest. On the other hand, he plunged with 



