[Autograph]. [Sciences]. PASTEUR (Louis). Autograph letter s - Lot 35

[Autograph]. [Sciences]. PASTEUR (Louis). Autograph letter signed, addressed to "Mon cher confrère". Paris, November 5, 1872 noon. One page and 3 lines in-8° (very slight crease in 2). This letter, hastily written by Louis Pasteur immediately after receiving a bill sent the day before by his correspondent, testifies to the ardor with which the scientist strove to defend his scientific approach. It takes place at the end of 1872, when a major controversy was unfolding over the origin of ferments, pitting Pasteur against chemist Edmond Frémy and botanist Auguste Trécul. Pasteur criticized his correspondent for not being clear about his intention to publish a reply to his letter in the minutes of the Académie. He added: "I shall publish my proposal and program of experiments to be verified by an academic commission. I regret that your acquiescence to the opening of these experiments, at least of the 7 that concerned you, did not put an end to all discussion. I would have declared myself immediately satisfied, for I have no theories. I have only facts and conclusions that fit the facts. Please think it over carefully" (Cf. R. Valléry-Radot, La vie de Pasteur, Paris, 1900, p.312-316).