678 Grove Karl Gilbert. 



Gilbert's helpful influence extended far beyond the 

 Survey office in Washington. When articles and reviews 

 appealed to him, he had the pleasant way of writing a 

 note of appreciation to their authors ; and these spon- 

 taneous expressions of approval from so competent a 

 critic won for him the warm regard of many younger men 

 who had little or no personal acquaintance with him. 

 Indeed two generations of American geologists enter- 

 tained toward this master of their science a sentiment 

 that approached affection more closely than is common 

 among men. It was about as much as an expression of 

 personal regard as of scientific esteem that he was chosen 

 president of nearly every learned society of which he 

 was a member. His bearing in the chair had a simple 

 dignity that was very acceptable to his constituencies. 

 He was a welcome speaker at all scientific gatherings 

 where his fine presence went well with his exceptional 

 clearness of exposition. 



In personal relations he was frank and outspoken, free 

 from all formalities, a delightful companion indoors and 

 out, with a lively sense of humor and a merry laugh. 

 Indeed he was often by no means so serious as he looked. 

 On meeting an over-assiduous correspondent he said : — 

 "I received a long circular letter from you lately, and I've 

 put it away in a safe place. ' ' His whispered comment on 

 a speaker who had made an inconclusive reply in a dis- 

 cussion was in the western phrase : — "You can't prove it 

 by him." A friend once inquired whether a visiting 

 European geographer of distinction, whom Gilbert had 

 guided on an excursion, was quick in responding to field 

 evidence. "Hair trigger," was the concise reply. Not 

 long afterwards when the inquirer repeated the charac- 

 terization to its beneficiary — alas for the break of rela- 

 tions with him in these troubled years ! — it brought forth 

 the puzzled exclamation — "Vat is 'hair trigger'?" — but 

 the phrase gave much satisfaction when explained. 



After Gilbert's relief from the position of chief geol- 

 ogist of the National Survey, he continued for a time in 

 charge of correlation problems, and was then (1893-96) 

 assigned to study certain areas of the great plains, where 

 he prepared two geologic folios. In later years he held 

 various roving commissions. Among these were the 

 study of the Great Lakes region, which he had already 

 taken up in 1885 as if for vacation exercise in the field, 

 and in which he had then at once made the fruitful dis- 



