238 AINSWORTH RAND SPOFFORD. 



and students a veritable catalogue. It was a tradition among 

 the guides that Mr. Spofford read every book that came to the 

 library and that he knew the position of every book. A ques- 

 tion or two addressed to him would save hours of laborious re- 

 search. The writer, a year ago, had occasion to look up the 

 subject of medicine versus superstition and going to Mr. Spof- 

 ford asked if he would pick out several of the best books on the 

 subject. Mr. Spofford, taking a pencil, wrote offhand from 

 memory the title, the author, in some cases the chapter, of eleven 

 books of reference on the desired subject. When General Lew 

 Wallace was writing "Ben Hur," he appealed to Mr. Spofford 

 to help him in proper material for the local color and literary 

 atmosphere. Mr. Spofford proposed and exhibited book after 

 book from the Congressional Library without satisfying General 

 Wallace, and finally told the General that he would find what he 

 wanted in the Harvard Library in such a room and such a shelf, 

 situated " sixth from the south end." 



He contributed to many newspapers, magazines and encyclo- 

 pedias. He was editor of Catalogues of the Library of Con- 

 gress, and of the Annual American Almanac from 1878 to 1889 ; 

 edited with others, Library of Choice Literature (10 vols.), Li- 

 brary of Historic Characters and Famous Events (10 vols.), 

 Library of Wit and Humor (5 vols.). He was the author of 

 Practical Manual of Parliamentary Rules, 1884 ; and A Book for 

 all Readers, etc. 



Many of his writings dealt with the early history of our coun- 

 try and especially with the history of the Federal city. He was 

 a firm believer in the " instinctive genius " of the French engin- 

 eer, Major L'Enfant, who planned the city of Washington, and 

 in endorsing a bill, February n, 1905, presented to Congress, 

 speaks of him as "the undisputed author of the grand scheme 

 which was ultimately adopted." 



He was a charter member and Vice-President of the Colum- 

 bia Historical Society from its organization in 1894 to the date 

 of his death. Among some of the papers he contributed were : 



" The Methods and Aims of Historical Inquiry," May 7, 

 1894. 



"Life and Labors of Peter Force, Mayor of Washington/' 

 June 8, 1897. 



