Memorial Afrr/inq-. 31 



societies, not only for the use and benefit of the outsiders, 1)Ut 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, yet the traditions he handed down and Goode's own wide knowl- 

 edge of the 3-ounger generation gave him .satisfactor\- qualifications of 

 this most necessary and special kind. 



Leaving the ostensibly scientific, not the least embarrassing duty 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 

 Librar}', upon whose letter head he writes, is desirous of a full set of the 

 publications and, being the onl}' librar}^ in a large region round about, 

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

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

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

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

 would he 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 peoplewho.se taxes .support the Museum, and is enti- 

 tled to courte.sy and illumination if it can be furni.shed. 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 ma.ss of correspondence. 



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

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

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

 that no ordinarj' man could have done this work (and nuich else) and 

 3'et have left behind him no antagoni.sms, no memories of failure, no 

 hint of insufhciency, as.sociated with his name. He is remembered as 

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

 aiming higher ; whose example stinuilated and wlio.se history will prove 

 a lasting in.spiration. 



