Page:The International Folk-Lore Congress of the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, July, 1893.djvu/32

16 incessant correspondence and the publications to which reference has already been made, did probably as much as any other student in this department of research to arouse the popular interest in Folk-Lore studies, and stimulate the formation of Folk-Lore societies. He was secretary of the International Folk-Lore Association and an honorary member of the French Society of Popular Traditions. His wide knowledge, his practical familiarity with modern languages, and his official experience in the American Navy led to his appointment as Chief Interpreter and Translator of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.

As chairman of the Folk-Lore Congress, he conducted an extensive correspondence with the leaders of Folk-Lore in all parts of the world; solicited their co-operation and participation in the work; and made engagements for the papers and addresses more especially desired. Without entering into the details of this important work, suffice it in this connection to say, that his efforts resulted in the completion and successful execution of a well-ordered plan for the largest and most representative Folk-Lore Congress ever convened.

The exhausting responsibility and toil involved in this great work, as well as in his labors as general interpreter and translator of the World's Columbian Exposition, proved to be burdens greater than his health and strength could bear, and resulted in his death on October 19, 1893, a few days before the close of the Exposition. The ability, fidelity and zeal with which Lieutenant Bassett discharged the duties which came to him in the course of his career well deserve a more extended account and higher tributes of praise than the present occasion will permit, but this much is due to his memory in connection with the publication of the proceedings of the World's Folk-Lore Congress of 1893.