THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 151 
had an unusual appreciation of good English. Without 
being strictly a blonde, she had light brown hair and a 
fair complexion, was of medium height and as a young 
woman, slender. Probably she never laid claim to beauty 
other than that given by Nature in the spring of one’s 
years; but a charming smile, a face lighted up by intelli- 
gence and cordiality, aided by a delicate sense of humor 
and a wit which enlivened conversation without stinging, 
made her a delightful hostess and companion. She was 
subject from girlhood, especially in hot weather, to sudden 
attacks of illness, not dangerous or prolonged but, for 
the moment, needing special care; and the tenderness and 
devotion shown by her husband at such times could not 
be exceeded. 
After their return to Carlisle and removal to Mrs. 
Churchill’s many of his specimens were taken to the 
College Museum as a temporary deposit, giving more 
room for his home work. Baird took up vigorously the 
study of fishes, collecting them with his usual energy. 
He found that by placing the specimen of which he 
‘desired to clean a skeleton, in a tub of water with a lot 
of small tadpoles, the latter would do the work most 
beautifully, without dismembering the bones. In this 
way without labor and in a comparatively short time he 
brought together a series of skeletons of the local fishes 
which was quite unique. 
On the 15th of September College opened and he began 
his attendance at the 6 a.M. prayers, met and organized 
his classes and arranged the hours for recitations. He 
taught fourteen hours a week in the Preparatory Depart- 
ment at first and six in the College. He spent the Christ- 
mas holidays with his wife in Philadelphia. The following 
letter to his brother describes his activities: 
