Pasteur gratefully accepted these wise counsels. In an excess of modesty, he wrote to Dumas that he should not apply as candidate even if a place for a correspondent were vacant in the Chemistry section. “Do you then believe,” answered Dumas with a vivacity very unlike his usual solemn calmness, “do you believe that we are insensible to the glory which your work reflects on French chemistry, and on the Ecole from whence you come? The very day I entered the Ministry, I asked for the Cross[22] for you. I should have had in giving it to you myself a satisfaction which you cannot conceive. I don’t know whence the delay and difficulty arise. But what I do know is that you make my blood boil when you speak in your letter of the necessity of leaving a free place in chemistry to the men you mention, one or two excepted.... What opinion have you then of our judgment? When there _is_ a vacant place, you shall be presented, supported and elected. It is a question of justice and of the great interests of science: we shall make them prevail.... When the day comes, there will be means found to do what is required for the interests of science, of which you are one of the firmest pillars, and one of the most glorious hopes. Heartily yours.” “My dear father,” wrote Pasteur, sending his father a copy of this letter, “I hope you will be proud of M. Dumas’ letter. It surprised me very much. I did not believe that my work deserved such a splendid testimony, though I recognize its great importance.” Thus were associated in Pasteur the full consciousness of his great mental power with an extreme ingenuousness. Instead of the pride and egotism provoked, almost excusably, in so many superior men by excessive strength, his character presented the noblest delicacy.