224 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



ishness gained him a respectful hearing from men of 

 affairs; and the plans which he recommended were 

 acquiesced in for the most part without objection. A 

 man of stately presence which commanded respect with- 

 out seeming to demand it; of simplicity and prudence, 

 of hospitality generous without pretension, and of a 

 fatherly warmth of heart to the deserving, he drew from 

 others not only the deference due to his position, but the 

 deep affection of all those who intimately knew him. 



It is hardly possible in these days of reform in the 

 civil service and the general recognition of morality as 

 essential to good government, to realize the difficulties 

 of Henry's position. 



Among scientists then as now were men of marked 

 peculiarities. Indeed to devote himself to Science then, 

 when it could hardly be expected to afford one the where- 

 withal to support life, to say nothing of a reasonable 

 income, a student must have been possessed of an irre- 

 sistible bent in that direction. In the popular mind 

 such students were regarded as akin to lunatics. 



Medicine and teaching were the only practicable 

 byways to a scientific career. What wonder then that 

 among those unfavored with the training for a profes- 

 sional career there should be a certain proportion on 

 whom the struggle had left its scars? 



Among those taken into the service of the Smithsonian 

 were necessarily some of these. Peace had to be kept 

 not only among them but between them and the public 

 only too ready to criticise. 



Opinions on politics and on the burning question of 

 human slavery must be withheld from utterance. The 

 pleadings of politicians for places for unfit persons must 

 be gently denied. The members of the staff must deny 



