224 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
ishness gained him a respectful hearing from men of 
affairs; and the plans which he recommended were 
acquiesced in for the most part without objection. A 
man of stately presence which commanded respect with- 
out seeming to demand it; of simplicity and prudence, 
of hospitality generous without pretension, and of a 
fatherly warmth of heart to the deserving, he drew from 
others not only the deference due to his position, but the 
deep affection of all those who intimately knew him. 
It is hardly possible in these days of reform in the 
civil service and the general recognition of morality as 
essential to good government, to realize the difficulties 
of Henry’s position. 
Among scientists then as now were men of marked 
peculiarities. Indeed to devote himself to Science then, 
when it could hardly be expected to afford one the where- 
withal to support life, to say nothing of a reasonable 
income, a student must have been possessed of an irre- 
sistible bent in that direction. In the popular mind 
such students were regarded as akin to lunatics. 
Medicine and teaching were the only practicable 
byways to a scientific career. What wonder then that 
among those unfavored with the training for a profes- 
sional career there should be a certain proportion on 
whom the struggle had left its scars? 
Among those taken into the service of the Smithsonian 
were necessarily some of these. Peace had to be kept 
not only among them but between them and the public 
only too ready to criticise. 
Opinions on politics and on the burning question of 
human slavery must be withheld from utterance. The 
pleadings of politicians for places for unfit persons must 
be gently denied. The members of the staff must deny 
