American Fisheries Society. 183 



him. Prof. Baird lived in a higher plane of life and breathed o 

 purer atmosphere than most men. Quiet and unassuming, with 

 a nature as gentle as a child's, his natural superiority never 

 failed to show itself when he was with other men, not even 

 among the distinguished men who gathered in the winter at the 

 national capital. Yet he was thoughtful and considerate of hh 

 subordinates, and always ready to give his meed of praise of any 

 work well done by his humblest employee. Prof. Baird had the 

 enviable gift not only of endearing everyone to him who came in 

 contact with him, but of inspiring them with his own enthusiasm 

 and energy. Tliis made congressmen vote him all tlic appropria- 

 tions that he asked for ; for it was a common saying at Wash- 

 ington that congress gave Prof. Baird everything that he wanted. 

 Like a good general, he had the personal welfare of his men at 

 heart while he was Fish Commissioner, and they in turn wanted 

 to do everything in their power for him, which doul)tless, was 

 one of the secrets of his great success. 



It is a fact that his employees in the Fish Commission would 

 voluntarily work a gi-eat deal harder for Prof. Baird than they 

 would for themselves. This fact is accountable for another say- 

 ing at Washington at that time, that Prof. Baird's men were the 

 busiest workers of all the departments. It was the inspiration 

 of this patient, disinterested, tireless, kind-hearted and lovable 

 man whose work they were doing that made them work so well, 

 and also made their work a pleasure. 



It is unnecessary to say that Prof. Baird possessed extraor- 

 dinary mental endowments, but I perhaps may mention one or 

 two, as they are so rare. He had a quickness of appreliensioii 

 that sometimes seemed su])ernatural. For instance he would 

 glance down a ])rinted page and comprehend in a monicnt what 

 would take others several minutes to read. 



He had a marvelous memory, not only retentive of eveiTlliiug 

 intrusted to it, Init ([uick to call up anything that was wanted 

 when it was wanted — a quality which most of us know well how- 

 to appreciate. His mind was also of the clearest type. Xo com- 

 plications ever seemed to confuse liim; he never becaiii(> imohed 

 during his conversation, no matter what were the intricacies of 

 the subject. His mind, like his placid temper, never seemed to be 

 ruflfled or disturbed. Extraordinary as his mental faculties were. 



