8o POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



man explaining them as well as he could in the light of his studies. 

 When it was all over and Mr. Mason turned to go, Baird turned to 

 him and said, ' Now I want you to give all this up.' While the young 

 man almost gasped in astonishment, Baird continued : ' If you devote 

 your life to such a subject as this, you will have to take the leavings 

 of European workers. It will not be possible for you here in America 

 to obtain the material for important researches; but — I give you the 

 two Americas ! ' And Dr. Mason said to me, ' I was born again that 

 day.' Before the young man left, Baird added an invitation to visit 

 him at his house the following Friday; and for many years this visit 

 was repeated on each successive Friday. 



It would be impossible to select a better example of benevolent and 

 helpful wisdom than that just described. Keen to pick out good men, 

 wise in directing their activities, even in fields not specially his own, 

 kindness itself in his dealings with them, it is no wonder that he gave 

 an impetus to the study of natural history in this country which is not 

 yet spent, and it may well be, will continue as a living influence for 

 many generations. It was just the same in his dealings with his official 

 subordinates, from the highest to the lowest. Every day he made the 

 round of the departments, offering a suggestion or cheering word to 

 each worker; and, as Dr. Bidgway tells me, there was no matter too 

 small to excite his interest. He himself knew too much of the details 

 of scientific research not to care about every step leading to the 

 final results. It is just this sort of interest that distinguishes the true 

 worker from the outsider ; and fortunate it was for the growing museum 

 that the chief could be thus a true comrade to each member of the staff. 



This sympathetic attitude extended to every one about him. Mr. 

 Pollock, who was a messenger under Baird, tells me that he was like 

 a father to him. When Pollock had to go on some errand down town, 

 if the day was hot, Baird would thoughtfully offer him his carriage; 

 and if he saw him walking on the street, would stop and take him in. 

 Baird's manners were absolutely democratic, and that without the 

 least loss of dignity; he was thus an ideal American. 



Dr. Eidgway tells me that Mrs. Bidgway often recalls the first 

 time she ever saw Agassiz. It was in the great public hall of the 

 Smithsonian, and Baird and Agassiz were walking side by side, each 

 eating his lunch, while they chatted and examined the specimens. 

 What a picture the scene would have made ! Is there no artist who 

 may yet attempt to do it justice? 



When Professor Henry died, in 1878, it was inevitable that Baird 

 should become his successor as head of the Smithsonian. Thus addi- 

 tional heavy cares were thrown upon his shoulders ; and when, in 1882, 

 the new building was completed, he had to superintend the reorganiza- 

 tion of the museum, with an increased staff suited to its new oppor- 



