53 



in the matter, personally appearing before the committee to explain the 

 nature, value, and importance of the work, as well as the fact that the skill- 

 ful engravings of the copper plates themselves were the work of the pro- 

 fessor's own hand, and had involved most unremitting labor for a period 

 of over twenty years. The committee showed little interest in the sub- 

 ject, however, notwithstanding that the memorial was accompanied by 

 another recommending the purchase of the work, and signed by the 

 prominent entomologists of the country, among whom were the United 

 States entomologist, proffessors of Yale, Harvard, and other colleges, 

 and members of leading scientific societies. Daring the first session of 

 the succeeding Congress the matter was again brought to the attention 

 of the Committee on Agriculture, and a letter addressed to Professor 

 Baird from the chief engraver of the Bureau of Engraving and Print- 

 ing was submitted. In this letter it was stated that any skilled en- 

 graver would charge $100 for each of these plates, and if they were 

 engraved by a scientist they were worth more. Senator Davis, of West 

 Virginia, chairman of the committee, suggested that the committee 

 would recommend the purchase at a cost of $7,500 ; but the committee 

 took no formal action. This was a great disappointment to Professor 

 Glover, who was now anxious that the work should be purchased by 

 the Government, even at a nominal valuation. At the next session the 

 matter was brought to the attention of the House Committee on Agri- 

 culture, and the sum of $7,500 for the purchaseof the work was included 

 in the sundry civil appropriation bill, and finally passed both houses, 

 Professor Riley using his influence towards its final passage. The 

 money became available soon after, and was paid to Professor Glover 

 earlj" in April ensuing the 4rth of March upon which Congress adjourned; 

 but by this time he had become quite infirm. The result was very grati- 

 fying to him, though he died in September following. 



No formal transfer of the plates was necessary after the purchase, as 

 they were already in the custody of the National Museum, having been 

 deposited there by the writer after consultation with Professor Baird 

 at the time when Mr. Glover was first stricken and unable to act for 

 himself. 



As to the value of his work, it gave Mr. Glover great pleasure while 

 living to know that it was appreciated by the late Professor Agassiz 

 and leading scientific men of his day. Speaking of the "collections of 

 drawings," Professor Agassiz attests " their excellence and great im- 

 portance, both in a scientific and economical point of view," and con- 

 sidered " the publication of his observations, and of the delineations of 

 insects injurious to vegetation as most desirable, and likely to be in 

 the highest degree creditable to the United States Government." Dur 

 iug the savant's last visit to Washington, while calling upon Prof. John 

 W. Hoyt to talk of the proposed national university, his opinion was 

 asked as to the sort of work that Professor Glover was doing. Agassiz's 

 reply was : "Magnificent! His services are extremely valuable, and 



