st do
what we can to help him, and not hamper him by unnecessary
restrictions and criticisms." His helpfulness came from his
quickness in seizing the important point and his readiness to take
endless trouble in the important work of looking into details before
and after the meetings. The amount of work that he did in response
to the requirements of various Committees was very great, and it was
curious to realise in how many cases he seemed to have diffidence as
to the value of his contributions.

But on the whole, the work which he was able to carry out, in addition to
professional duties and research, was in matters of general importance
unconnected with the University. To these we shall return.

In 1884 he became engaged to Miss Maud Du Puy of Philadelphia. She came
of an old Huguenot stock, descending from Dr. John Du Puy, who was born
in France in 1679, and settled in New York in 1713. They were married on
July 22nd, 1884, and this event happily coloured the remainder of
George's life. As time went on, and existence became fuller and busier,
she was able by her never-failing devotion to shield him from fatigue and
anxiety. In this way he was helped and protected in the various
semi-public functions in which he took a principal part. Nor was her
help valued only on these occasions, for indeed the comfort and happiness
of every day was in her charge. There is a charming letter {171} from
George's mother, dated April 15th, 1884:

Maud had to put on her wedding-dress in order to say at the
Custom-house in America that she had worn it, so we asked her to come
down and show it to us. She came down with great simplicity and
quietness . . . only really pleased at its being admired and at
looking pretty herself, which was strikingly the case. She was a
little shy at coming in, and sent in Mrs. Jebb to ask George to come
out and see it first and bring her in. It was handsome and simple.
I like seeing George so frivolous, so deeply interested in which
diamond trinket should be my present, and in her new Paris morning
dress, in which he felt quite unfit to walk with her.

Later, probably in June, George's mother wrote {172a} to Miss Du Puy,
"Your visit here was a great happiness to me, as something in you (I
don't know what) made me feel sure you would always be sweet and kind to
George when he is ill and uncomfortable." These simple and tou