Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. 21 



condition which made his scientific work in later years 

 subject of the severest criticism. He was still a young 

 man, it is true, having seen but thirty-two summers, but 

 those who have studied character will agree that this 

 misfortune affected him as it might but one in a thou 

 sand. Of this loss he writes as follows: 



&quot;Some hearts of stone have since dared to doubt of these facts 

 or rejoice at my losses! Yes, I have found men, vile enough to 

 laugh without shame at my misfortune, instead of condoling with 

 me ! But I have met also with friends who have deplored my loss, 

 and helped me in need.&quot; 



Rafinesque appears never again to have known pros 

 perous business adventures. He belonged to that large 

 class of men, from this time, who imagine that the 

 hand of every other man is against them. 



Leaving New London, Rafinesque went to New York, 

 where, pending the settlement of his insurance claims 

 in London, he found warm friends. With Dr. Samuel 

 L. Mitchill, with whom he had enjoyed a correspondence 

 while yet a resident of Sicily, and to whom he had sent 

 numerous scientific, chiefly botanical, papers, he found 

 friendly greeting and a helpful friendship. The neces 

 sities of making a livelihood led him to accept the 

 position of private tutor in a wealthy family by the 

 name of Livingston, residing on the Hudson; therein 



