122 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



Mary had returned from Charleston, South Carolina, 

 the day before and were at Mrs. Riddle's. 



Political changes in Washington resulted in retiring 

 Mr. Penrose from his position as Solicitor of the Treasury, 

 so a useful source of influence should a Government 

 appointment be desired was lost to his nephew. The 

 Pinegrove iron furnace having been sold to Mr. Watts 

 by the Penrose interest, Baird made a collecting trip 

 to the place in May. 



At the Commencement exercises of the college July 

 loth Baird was elected Honorary Professor of Natural 

 History and Curator of the Cabinet of Dickinson College. 

 He records it in his Journal with the comment "No 

 salary and nothing to do. Received many congratulations 

 thereupon." His grandmother writes: 



From Mrs. Lydia S. Biddle to Spencer F. Baird. 



DEAL, MONMOUTH Co., N. J. 



July 25, 1845. 

 MY DEAR SPENCER, 



I do not know that I should write to you at this time, were it 

 not to express my gratification in the honour you have received in 

 the appointment of your professorship in Dickinson College, for 

 although at present there is no Salary attached to the situation, 

 yet as the institution rises in fame and importance, which I doubt 

 not it will under your guidance, and that soon, there will be ample 

 compensation made for the support of its professor. Besides, dear 

 Spencer, the appointment is so honourable to a young man of your 

 age, that the fame and credit is almost worth a principality to a 

 young man who wishes to establish himself scientifically in the world; 

 indeed I think this beginning of your career most excellent and 

 promising, especially if you have patience to wait until your turn 

 comes, and mind the opinion of the Poet who says, 



"Heroes must rise by small degrees to glory, 

 'Tis stairs that lead them to the attic story." 



