American Fisheries Society. 49 
DEAN OF THE LAW SCHOOL. 
Early in 1889 President Chamberlin was seeking a dean for 
the college of law. Applying to me to take the post, | pointed to 
Bryant as a prize. Senator Spooner, who intimately knew his 
fitness, cordially joined in effective commendation; and when 
the General came home on the first of May, the crowning work 
of his life stood assigned to him. His labor of preparation be- 
gan at once; his instructional service with the opening of the 
university in the autumn of 1889. Fourteen years of unbroken 
continuity followed; how ardent, severe and self-sacrificing few 
beyond his household circle entirely realized. I sometimes ad- 
monished him that his application was excessive, but with small 
effect. His devotion was not simply conscientious; he burned 
with appreciation of the high duty his position demanded for 
usefulness to the university and to the profession. He saw its 
possible value to others far beyond a gratification of personal 
ambition, to be worthy in it, indeed, was all his ambition, deeply 
feeling it to offer his last and noblest life performance. And he 
felt the due measure, and chiefest means, to success in it, was 
assiduous, untiring industry, to work with all his might to make 
avail of the utmost hmit of his talents. He never paused to 
inquire what might be demanded of him, what would be taken 
as satisfactory by the governing authorities. The simple ques- 
tion was, How can I do more to promote the good end ? 
HE WAS TIRELESS AND UNSELFISH. 
This fervor of spirit was well illustrated in his assumption 
of a class at the capitol. It happened that there were many 
ambitious youths in the state’s clerical service who desired in- 
struction in the law but were denied by their employment attend- 
ance by day upon the lectures of the college of law. One of them, 
W. F. Dockery, now resident in St. Louis, may tell the story: 
“In the fall of 1891 some fifteen of the employes about the 
state capitol, I being one, resolved to read law. Our duties made 
it impossible to attend lectures on the hill. Plans to secure the 
services of various lawyers and judges in the city to direct us in 
our work were suggested. After investigating, our committee 
reported the outlook for getting us on a working basis as dis- 
