396 LEADING AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE 



executive work was recognized by Wesleyan University by the 

 degree of LL.D. conferred in 1888. 



The writer first met Mr. Goode in 1874, while he was en- 

 gaged in work for the United States Fish Commission in Noank, 

 Connecticut. He was then a young man of scholarly appearance, 

 winning manners, and a very enthusiastic student of fishes. In 

 figure he was of medium height, rather slender, and very active. 

 His countenance was intellectual, and he seemed always to have 

 a very definite idea of what he wished to do. 



Our first meeting was in connection with an effort on his part 

 to find the difference between the two genera of fishes called 

 Ceratacanthus and Alutera. At this time I was greatly impressed 

 with the accuracy and neatness of his work, and especially with 

 his love of what may be called the literary side of science, a side 

 too often neglected by scientific men. He detested an inaccuracy, 

 a misspelled name, or a slovenly record, as he would have despised 

 any other vice. Indeed, in all his work and relations, moral purity 

 and scientific accuracy were one and the same thing. He had 

 inherited or acquired "the Puritan conscience," and applied it 

 not only to lapses of personal integrity, but to weaknesses and 

 slovenliness of all sorts. Hence he became in Washington not 

 only a power in scientific matters, but a source of moral strength 

 to the community. His influence is felt in the Museum, not only 

 in the wisdom of its organization, but in the personal character 

 of its body of curators. The irresponsible life of Bohemia is not 

 favorable to good work in science, and the men he chose as asso- 

 ciates belong to another order. 



As to Doctor Goode's moral influence and youthful character- 

 istics the following extracts from a private letter of Prof. Otis T. 

 Mason will be found valuable: 



" Two characteristics of the man fixed themselves upon my mind 

 indelibly: I found him to be intensely consciencious and I could see 

 that he was a young man who not only wished to live a correct 

 life himself, but abhorred the association of evil men. 



"Another characteristic which forced itself upon me was his 

 devotion to the museum side of scientific investigation. He wrote 



