THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 151 



had an unusual appreciation of good English. Without 

 being strictly a blonde, she had light brown hair and a 

 fair complexion, was of medium height and as a young 

 woman, slender. Probably she never laid claim to beauty 

 other than that given by Nature in the spring of one's 

 years; but a charming smile, a face lighted up by intelli- 

 gence and cordiality, aided by a delicate sense of humor 

 and a wit which enlivened conversation without stinging, 

 made her a delightful hostess and companion. She was 

 subject from girlhood, especially in hot weather, to sudden 

 attacks of illness, not dangerous or prolonged but, for 

 the moment, needing special care; and the tenderness and 

 devotion shown by her husband at such times could not 

 be exceeded. 



After their return to Carlisle and removal to Mrs. 

 Churchill's many of his specimens were taken to the 

 College Museum as a temporary deposit, giving more 

 room for his home work. Baird took up vigorously the 

 study of fishes, collecting them with his usual energy. 



He found that by placing the specimen of which he 

 desired to clean a skeleton, in a tub of water with a lot 

 of small tadpoles, the latter would do the work most 

 beautifully, without dismembering the bones. In this 

 way without labor and in a comparatively short time he 

 brought together a series of skeletons of the local fishes 

 which was quite unique. 



On the 1 5th of September College opened and he began 

 his attendance at the 6 A.M. prayers, met and organized 

 his classes and arranged the hours for recitations. He 

 taught fourteen hours a week in the Preparatory Depart- 

 ment at first and six in the College. He spent the Christ- 

 mas holidays with his wife in Philadelphia. The following 

 letter to his brother describes his activities: 



