24 The Life and Writings of 



THE VISIT TO HENDERSON. 



Extensive botanical and other collections were made 

 by Rafinesque all the way from Louisville to Henderson ; 

 the trip being made by day, that he might better study 

 the plants and fishes and shells. Arrived at Henderson 

 he sought John J. Audubon, the ornithologist, to whom 

 he had a note of introduction and with whom he remained 

 several days. Rafinesque says &quot; some days&quot;; Audubon 

 himself says &quot;three weeks&quot;. 



In this connection, perhaps better than in any other, 

 reference may be made to an episode which Audubon 

 has recorded of Rafinesque. With some reluctance, in 

 this place, is the incident again related, not because it 

 will have harmful effect in judging the work of Rafin 

 esque, but because it must needs detract much from the 

 fame of Audubon, whose reputation for strict truthfulness 

 was never of the best among those who knew him. It 

 serves to explain some features of the great ornitholo 

 gist s life and strengthens the unfavorable opinion which 

 some entertain of him; it serves also to throw light 

 upon the plain, straight - forward, trusting character of 

 Rafinesque. When the story is read between the lines 

 the effect on the reader would appear to be most favorable 

 to the victim. 



