Elephant Pipes and Inscribed Tablets in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Daveport, Iowa - Softcover
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1885 Excerpt: ... 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 when he made his discoveries. It would seem, in the view of Mr. Henshaw, that explorers should go to their work with a bodyguard of affidavit-makers, or, peradventure, with some accredited representative 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 little 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 wellfounded 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. HSnshaw, 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 g...
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