1865 TO 1878 389 
through the troubled years of the early existence of the 
Institution and during the Civil War, no expenditure 
was made without the personal approval of the Sec- 
retary. Not a whiskbroom could be bought without a 
full explanation of the necessity for it and the Professor’s 
approval of the order. This rigid economy was necessary 
and bore good fruit. But with the establishment of 
complete confidence in Baird, and the increasing duties 
and declining strength which came with age, Professor 
Henry decided to place in Baird’s hands the whole 
matter of the disbursements for the Museum and the 
control of its working force. This was a welcome relief 
for many reasons, including the discipline of the laborers 
employed. 
The summer was chiefly passed at Eastport, Maine, 
on Fish Commission duty, and included a visit to Nova 
Scotia and conferences there with Fisheries officials. He 
first met his future associate and successor G. Brown 
Goode at Eastport, August 3rd. September 18th he had 
a conference with Professor N. S. Shaler of Harvard, in 
relation to his project of establishing a seaside zoological 
laboratory. October 18th he received a committee from 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, offering him a high 
salary and the position of Director of its Museum, which 
they hoped to renew, aided by his reputation. The offer 
was, of course, not accepted. On the 19th his brother, 
William M. Baird, the close associate of his early struggles, 
died at Reading. After attending the funeral Baird 
returned to Washington on the 23rd. About the end of 
November Goode arrived at the Smithsonian, where he 
was engaged at work during the winter. 
In 1873 Professor Louis Agassiz made his last visit 
to Washington, where he remained from the 15th to the 
