LIFE IN WASHINGTON 229 
driveways sparsely sprinkled with river gravel and ankle 
deep in mud on rainy days. The Washington Monument 
to the west was a mere stump, and the Capitol, to the 
east, far from being the stately building of the present. 
It was not a pleasant undertaking then to reach the 
Smithsonian building on slushy winter days. 
There were numerous free negroes in the city, even 
then, and Northern folks employed many of them as 
domestics. Kindly, careless, provoking, but often excel- 
lent cooks, they identified themselves with the family 
they served and, when efficient, seldom changed. Promi- 
nence in public on the part of the blacks was not approved 
of by the average white citizen, but their love of color, 
glitter and music found vent at their funerals. Burial 
associations clad themselves in stupefying uniforms, and 
every member who did not attend in his or her place at 
such a function, unless unavoidably detained, was subject 
to a fine. 
Mrs. Baird, who was a model housekeeper and blessed 
with very faithful maids, was fond of telling this story. 
Once, when visitors were due at dinner, the maids could 
not be excused to attend a funeral. A few weeks later a 
similar exigency required their presence. A third time, 
not long after, they were again denied, and Mrs. Baird, 
sympathizing with their disappointment, said, “Never 
mind, Mary; when the circus comes to town next week 
I will buy you both tickets.” 
On which, instead of being cheered, the disconsolate 
Mary burst into tears, saying, “‘Oh, Mis’ Baird, you never 
want us to have any amusement!”’ 
The house was open to all visiting men of science, and 
they were many. Mrs. Baird’s army connections formed 
another element always welcome, and few officers got 
