34 LIFE OF ELIE MBTCHNIKOFF 



favourite pursuits and resumed the study of the long- 

 neglected school programme. The last examinations 

 took place in the spring of 1862. It happened to be 

 the Italian Opera season and EUe could not resist the 

 temptations ofEered him by music. In order to make 

 up the time, he often had to work the whole night 

 long at the cost of severe fatigue. 



In spite of this complication, he passed his exam- 

 iaations brilliantly and obtaiued the gold medal. 

 He now wished for nothing but to devote himself to 

 scientific study. 



