^56 The American Geologist. -^^p'"'^- ^^^'' 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Prof. Jami's Hall and the Troost manuscript. In professor 
Glenn's recent biographical sketch of Gerard Troost, published in 
the Geologist for February, occurs some reference to- his relations 
with the late James Hall which places the latter in an unfavorable 
light. As professor Glenn's reference to the matter is not the first 
that has appeared in print it seems to me well and fair not to per- 
petuate the statements there given. 
Professor Hall was a vigorous spirit in American geology, his 
productivity was enormous and much of the secret of it was that 
lie could and did lay under tribute to his work so many avenues of 
supply. The excellence of his achievement and its breadth of 
scope disturbed many individual and lesser ambitions, and aroused 
some antagonisms which could not be justified. It is history re- 
peating itself; the towering genius in science sweeps everything 
before him and human progress rejoices in the result, regarding 
little the scars of the luckless who got in the way of the triumphal 
•car. 
I speak in this way for it is even now necessary to remind 
younger geologists that Hall was no ordinary figure, that he did 
his work under circumstances which no longer exist in science, that 
his capacity for production was not less than his capacity of ab- 
sorption of others' work and that his excellence was the composite 
result of all these causes combined with his wisdom in surrounding 
himself with competent observers whose fortunes he devoted to his 
own. Hall was ever the target for caustic comment among his 
-countrymen and the repeated published insinuations of peccability 
constitute a tribute to which he seldom took pains to reply. But it 
is appropriate to observe that the marks of distinction which he re- 
ceived from the whole world fully equal the sum total of all such 
honors borne by the American geologists of to-day, and these were 
gained when honors were not easy. 
The Troost manuscript and materials on the American crinoids 
was, as professor Glenn has said, more than forty years in Hall's 
possession. It was referred to him by the secretary of the Smith- 
sonian, professor Henry, to pass on its quality before acceptance 
by the Smithsonian for publication. If accepted the materials on 
which it was based were to become the property of the govern- 
ment. It was never accepted or recommended for publication and 
therefore never became the property of the Smithsonian Institution 
or National Museum. That the latter now has possession is due 
to no proper right, but rather to the fact that the executors of pro- 
fessor Hall's estate, in their desire to meet every validated claim 
against it, were not fully advised in this matter. 
The entire lack of concern on the part of the secretaries of the 
"Smithsonian Institution in the Troost manuscript is indicated by 
