2 74 DAVKNFORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



In all this "destructive criticism," which Major Powell commends as 

 "successful," the only "fact" presented as a basis for their sweeping 

 "suspicions" is this same fictitious statement, that the explorer was 

 alone 70/ien he made his discoveries. It would seem, in the view of 

 Mr. Henshaw, that e.xplorers should go to their work with a body- 

 guard of affidavit-makers, or, peradventure, with some accredited rep- 

 resentative of the Bureau of Ethnology, to verify each discovery; and 

 that, unless so witnessed, such discovery must be discredited. As the 

 finding of many of these relics is accidental, and often by men having 

 litde appreciation of their scientific value, the adoption of so narrow a 

 rule would eliminate from our museums some of the most remarkable 

 mementos. This low estimate of human nature does not correctly 

 represent the liberal spirit of pure science. All of us can point to 

 earnest and disinterested workers, impelled by the love of science, 

 with no thought of gain, whose single, simple word would be received 

 with absolute trust, when the carefully verified narratives of a crowd of 

 professional collectors, delving for hire, would be regarded with well- 

 founded distrust. Had Mr. Henshaw taken the trouble to ascertain 

 this important fact, he would have found that the principal discoverer 

 of the inscribed tablets belonged to this select circle of voluntary 

 workers, and that, in his own home, his word was beyond question 

 and his character above reproach. In this connection it may properly 

 be stated that Mr. Gass, who, as the discoverer of these unique relics, 

 is assailed by Mr. Henshaw, is now preaching to a congregation at 

 Postville, in Northern Iowa, where he is, as he everywhere has been, 

 highly esteemed by his people. He is a good classical scholar, well 

 grounded in Hebrevv, but with a decided scientific bent of mind, which 

 accounts for his perseverance and enthusiasm in these archaeological 

 explorations. It would seem that his fine abilities, extensive attain- 

 ments, high social position, and spotless character should have shielded 

 him from attack ; and if, peradventure, it ever falls to the lot of his 

 assailants to themselves encounter "destructive criticism," it will then 

 serve them in good stead should they be able to confront it with as 

 clean a record. 



The uniustifiable attack made by Mr. Henshaw upon the scientific 

 character of .Mr. (iass is followed with the warning that in future all 

 such exj^lorations must cease, and enforced with the dire threat that 

 any more such discoveries will surely encounter the "ever-increasing 

 suspicion" of archaeologists! We will repeat this unique paragraph, 

 and bespeak for it careful attention, as a scientific curiosity : 



