MARCUS BAKER. 
285 
During the years when duties had not pressed too heavily 
upon him he enjoyed solving mathematical problems, many 
of which he contributed to various mathematical period¬ 
icals, and he also was interested in collecting these period¬ 
icals, and especially the older ones and certain almanacs, in 
which space was given to problems and their solution. 
He was of a peculiarly cheery and lovable disposition, 
devoted to young people, and always ready to give of his 
time to assist them in their lessons or explain in lucid fash¬ 
ion some obscure passage in arithmetic or science. He was 
never affluent, but always generous, and gave of his means 
freely toward the education of younger brothers, nephews, 
and nieces. 
After an intimate acquaintance extending over thirty 
years the writer hesitates to express his estimate of Mr. 
Baker’s attractive attributes and fine character lest it should 
seem merely the eulogistic exaggeration due to personal 
friendship and the feelings of regret common to humanity 
when those we hold dear have passed beyond the veil; but 
he feels that reticence in this case robs the departed of none 
of his just dues, since every member of the Philosophical 
Society during the long period of Mr. Baker’s membership 
has known the qualities by which he was characterized and 
can supply from his own consciousness and sense of loss 
that eulogy which is here withheld. His life and labors 
speak more eloquently than a biographer, for we all know 
that he was never weary of welldoing and was worthy of the 
reward which shall come to every man who hath kept his 
soul unspotted from the world. 
William Healey Dall. 
40-Bull. Phil. Soc., Wash., Vol. 14. 
