These studies were begun in 1871, in my laboratory
in the Faculty of Sciences of Clermont-Ferrand, and in
the chemical laboratory of the School of Medicine of the
same town. They were undertaken without any definite
aim, simply to occupy the enforced leisure which the
Commune and the Siege of Paris gave to Pasteur. He
had at once set himself to work to contribute his knowl-
edge which was already great, as his share in the rehabili-
tation of his humiliated country. He already dreamed
of a Pasteur Institute where he would be surrounded
by all of his assistants and where he would lead them
on to new victories. "I have a head full of the most
beautiful projects for work," he wrote lie March 29,
1871. "The war has forced my brain to lie fallow.
I am ready for new productions. Alas! Perhaps
I am laboring under an illusion. In any case I shall
make the attempt. Oh! why am I not rich! A
millionaire! I would say to you, to Raulin, to Gernez,
to Van Tieghem, etc. Come! We will transform the world
by our discoveries! How fortunate you are to be young
and to have good health! O, that I could begin a new
life of study and work! Poor France, dear land of our
fathers! Why can I not help to lift you up once more
from your disasters?"

While waiting to engage in the great schemes, the

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