Memorial Mcctitig, 31 



societies, not only for the use and benefit of the outsiders, but for the 

 safety and protection of the Museum itself. While no one could exceed 

 Professor Baird in the breadth and accuracy of his information on such 

 topics, 3^et the traditions he handed down and Goode's own wide knowl- 

 edge of the younger generation gave him satisfactory qualifications of 

 this most necessary and special kind. 



Leaving the ostensibly scientific, not the least embarrassing dut}" the 

 head of the Museum has to perform is the answering of letters from the 

 people at large. Here the variety ranges from the intelligent seeker for 

 , an explanation of some observed phenomenon, to the fraudulent scheme 

 of some rascal for securing books or specimens by false pretenses. The 

 most ignorant are often the most confident in their own explanation of 

 something which has temporarily puzzled them ; nevertheless they seek 

 official sanction and approval. Cranks write letters in blue ink, the 

 nouns filled in with red. So and so announces that the Apollonian 

 Library, upon whose letter head he writes, is desirous of a full set of the 

 publications and, being the only library in a large region round about, 

 should undoubtedly receive them ; and signs himself librarian. It is 

 known to the initiated that the signer is himself the Apollonian Library 

 and its only reader. Ill-spelled letters tell of natural curiosities, mar- 

 velous to behold, sometimes for sale, sometimes to be freely donated. It 

 would be a great mistake to suppose that these letters may be treated 

 with scorn, or ignored. It has often happened that the layman in his 

 blindness has stumbled upon something good. At any rate he is one of 

 the great American people whose taxes support the Museum, and is enti- 

 tled to courtesy and illumination if it can be furnished. At all events, 

 it will be clear to you that special knowledge, tact, and kindliness will 

 not be superfluous in the treatment of the daily mass of correspondence. 



I have tried to throw a little light on the difficulties and problems our 

 dear friend met and solved so well. Illustrations might be greatly mul- 

 tiplied did time permit. What has been said, I trust, is enough to show 

 that no ordinary man could have done this work (and much else) and 

 3^et have left behind him no antagonisms, no memories of failure, no 

 hint of in.sufficiency, associated with his name. He is remembered as 

 one never weary of welldoing ; who reached the heights, though ever 

 aiming higher ; whose example stimulated and whose history will prove 

 a lasting inspiration. 



