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: : THE LIFE OF : :
SIR JOSEPH BANKS

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: : THE LIFE OF I I
SIR JOSEPH BANKS

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY
WITH SOME NOTICES OF HIS
FRIENDS AND CONTEMPORARIES
& BY EDWARD SMITH, F.R.H.S. «
WITH A PHOTOGRAVURE FRONTISPIECE
AND SIXTEEN OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON : JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD

NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY. MCMXI

WILLIAM BSENDOM AND SOU, LTD. PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH

ERRATA.

Illustration facing page 314. For George Cruickshank
read John Gillray.

Page XVI, last line. For G. Cruickshank read
John Gillray.

DEDICATED
BY PERMISSION

TO
SIR JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER, O.M., G. C.S.I., M.D., F.R.S.

223116

PREFACE

WITH the idea of presenting to modern
readers an unfamiliar side of the
eighteenth century, in which Science
and Public Spirit would be represented,
it appeared to me that a prominent figure could be
chosen to serve as a common centre. The eye fell upon
the name of Sir Joseph Banks : concerning whom many
persons have vague notions of a distinguished character,
not yet unveiled to the student of English social history.
Banks 's record is that of a man of unbounded Public
Spirit. Science was his passion, and the public service
through the applications of science was his constant aim.
Fortune favoured him in several ways, and he left an
enduring mark upon the times in which he lived. The
ensuing pages will be something of a revelation ; es-
pecially in the devotion and regard shown to Banks by
so many varied characters among his co temporaries.
The man has practically vanished from our ken, as an
individual ; but, as the tale develops, we shall discover
that Banks was the inspiring agent of a number of
useful works which have permanently benefited the
world.

A detailed life of this worthy man has always been
wanted. Several abortive attempts were made to collect

viii PREFACE

his papers with the view to an authoritative biography.
When another generation arose which knew little of him
personally, the opportunity had passed for reproducing
those intimacies which only surviving friends could deal
with. Thus the personality of a man who had held a
foremost place in scientific society and in the polite
world for upwards of forty years was lost. The grateful
recollection of friends and cotemporaries was soon only
to be found in some stray memorial sketches.1

There were many noble examples of men, during the
eighteenth century, who left an impress of goodness and
greatness upon their time. Banks was a child of Fortune,
favoured alike in his manly and generous person and
in the possession of ample means wherewith to gratify
his liberal tastes. Light has been thrown upon many
fine characters, hitherto almost forgotten, through the
Dictionary of National Biography. In that useful cyclo-
paedia of the men who have made Britain famous, we are
ever reminded of the truth that Man is never so great as
his work. In the case before us, our own generation
knows him not ; but the fruit of his labours is ever
with us.

Sir Joseph Banks gave enormous impulse to the study
of Natural Science, and to the improvement of social
conditions.

His conduct of the Royal Society for forty years is,

1 Since this work was finished, a book has reached London from
New South Wales : an excellent and deeply interesting record of one
side of Banks's career, under the title of Sir Joseph Banks, the Father
of Australia, by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director of the Sydney Botanic
Garden. Mr. Maiden's book has had great success in Australia ; which
is not wonderful, seeing that the people of New South Wales have kept
green the memory of Banks, and still hold his name in undying honour.

PREFACE ix

perhaps, the most notable feature of his career. To this
are to be added so many public functions that, as will be
seen, there was scarcely any important movement in
which he had not an active share. The Society of Arts,
the Society of Antiquaries, the Linnean Society, the Royal
Horticultural Society, and a host of local institutions of
similar character all over Europe, found in him an active
friend. They still continue to hold his name in veneration.
There were enthusiastic naturalists of his day in France
and Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Russia, who held
Banks to be the greatest living Englishman. And no
wonder. He had shared the famous circumnavigation
with Captain Cook ; he subsidized botanists and ex-
plorers all over the world ; his natural history collections
were at the service of everybody ; he made Kew the
botanical Mecca. It was Banks who inspired the famous
adventure of Captain Bligh for transplanting the bread-
fruit, and ultimately made it successful. The botanic
gardens in India and our Colonies have traditions of
Banks that they will never lose.

The papers and journals of Banks have been long
since dispersed. But the British Museum has rescued
from autograph-hunters and others a great number of
letters addressed to him. At the Natural History Museum
is a collection of some two thousand copies of letters and
semi-official documents, which were written under the
care of Mr. Dawson Turner. Beside these, there are
in the custody of the Director at Kew several hundred
letters, chiefly from Banks's botanical and scientific
friends. Upon all these, I have been able to trace at least
a fair outline of Sir Joseph's career. I have to thank

x PREFACE

most cordially the gentlemen officially connected with
these collections, for their assistance, and for their en-
thusiastic countenance to the plan for raising a memorial
in literary shape to the man they delight to honour.
Banks 's library still occupies a spacious room in Mon-
tague House. His botanical specimens are dispersed
among the treasures at the Natural History Museum.

Sir Joseph Banks made no pretensions to authorship.
Beyond a few items, mentioned in the text, he seldom
appeared in print during his lifetime. Yet, it would be
difficult to find many persons who wrote so much and so
readily. It is clear that he was a copious diarist ; for he
has always his dates and his facts at hand when required.
Some of his statements, or reports, or instructions, that
happen to be extant are brimful of information ; of a
sort which could only be provided from his own personal
records. He would always answer a letter, if possible,
which had come from the most insignificant correspon-
dent. There was generally an amanuensis at hand ; and
for the very good reason that his handwriting was " shock-
ing." Those of his papers which the present writer has
had an opportunity of perusing have been generally
rough drafts, and they are not easy to read. The immense
accumulation of copies — there are twenty volumes of
them — now in the custody of the Natural History Museum,
manifest in frequent hiatus the difficulties of the copyist.
All this goes further to prove the extraordinary fullness
of the man's life.

The diary habit of Banks is further shown in his frag-
ments of tours and travel-notes. These remain mostly
unpublished. Only one has been done justice to, at the

PREFACE xi

hands of Sir J. D. Hooker, as mentioned in the course of
our narrative.

But his name occurs in innumerable " Dedications."
He assisted freely in the publications of other students
of Botany. And four books, at least, were professedly
edited by him, and issued at his own expense. These are :

(1) ReliquicB Houstonia (London, 1781) ; consisting of
notes on the herbarium of William Houston, a naval sur-
geon, who brought many rare plants from Mexico and the
West Indies.

(2) Icones Plantarum quce in Japonia collegit et de-
lineavit Ingelbert Kampfer. (London, 1791.)

(3) Plants of the Coast of Cowmandel . . . [by W. Rox-
burgh]. Published under the direction of Sir Joseph
Banks. (London, 1795-1819. 3 vols. folio.)

(4) Practical Observations on the British Grasses ... by
William Curtis. Fourth edition, to which is now added
a short account of the diseases in corn. By Sir Joseph
Banks. (London, 1805, 8vo.)

To these should be added the marvellous catalogue of
his Library, prepared by Jonas Dryander: Catalogus
bibliothecce historico-naturalia . . . Josephi Banks Baroneti.
(5 vols. Lond. 1798-1800.)

The author is indebted to his friend Dr. B. Day don
Jackson, Secretary and Librarian of the Linnean Society,
for kindly reading the proofs of this volume ; and for per-
mitting the use of two important pictures belonging to
the Society. His thanks are also due to the Honourable
Mrs. Knatchbull-Hugessen, who has generously placed at
the disposal of the publisher the four beautiful drawings
by John Russell, R.A., which add such conspicuous value

xii PREFACE

to the group of illustrations with which he has adorned
the work. Another "good genius" (from an author's
point of view) is Gery Milner-Gibson Cullum, Esq., of
Hardwick Hall, who was so kind as to allow me to
explore the unedited correspondence of Sir John Cullum
and his friends.

There has not been space to do full justice, within the
limits of this volume, to the mass of material which has
passed under the author's eye. But he ventures to pre-
sume so far as to say that he has made out a case for
fuller study of the under-currents of life during the
despised eighteenth century. Beside and beyond the
witches' cauldron of frivolity and dishonour which is so
often presented to us, there is evidently an unknown
background of sterling virtues, of greatness, virility,
moral rectitude, and the love of wisdom for its own sake.

E. S.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PACK

EARLY YEARS ... 3

CHAPTER II
ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK . . .14

CHAPTER III
VISIT TO ICELAND. COOK'S SECOND AND THIRD VOYAGES 32

CHAPTER IV
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY . . 55

CHAPTER V
THE ROYAL SOCIETY— continued . . 69

CHAPTER VI
KEW GARDENS—GEORGE III . . . 93

CHAPTER VII
PLANT COLLECTORS . . . . . . in

CHAPTER VIII
BLIGH'S VOYAGES IN THE "BOUNTY" AND "PROVIDENCE" 126

CHAPTER IX
VARIOUS ADVENTURERS . . . . . 139

CHAPTER X

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS . . . . 156

xiii

II

xiv CONTENTS

CHAPTER XI

PAGE

THE SCOFFER ABROAD . . . . . 172

CHAPTER XII
EUROPEAN FAME . . . . . . 192

CHAPTER XIII
THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA . . . .213

CHAPTER XIV
CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN . . . 230

CHAPTER XV
ICELANDIC AFFAIRS . . . ... 244

CHAPTER XVI
THE RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES . . .255

CHAPTER XVII
REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION . . . 266

CHAPTER XVIII
FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL . . . 280

CHAPTER XIX
SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS . ... 290

CHAPTER XX
"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" . . . 304

CHAPTER XXI
THE END . . . . ... 322

ILLUSTRATIONS

SIR JOSEPH BANKS . . . Frontispiece

From a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, in the British Museum.

PAGE

MRS. WILLIAM BANKS • \, . . . . 6

From a drawing by John Russell, R.A. In Lady Brabourne's collection.
(Reproduced from a photograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs.
Knatchbull-Hugessen.)

JOSEPH BANKS . . . . 30

From a mezzotint by Dickinson, after Sir J. Reynolds.

OMAI THE OTAHEITAN . . ... 42

From a mezzotint by Jacobi, after Sir J. Reynolds.

SIR JOSEPH AND LADY BANKS . . 62

From a Wedgwood cameo, attributed to Flaxman, at the Linnean Society.

SPRING GROVE, IN HESTON, MIDDLESEX, Residence of Sir

Joseph Banks . . . . 90

From " Beauties of England and Wales."

SIR JOSEPH BANKS . . . . . . 156

From a drawing by John Russell, R.A. In Lady Brabourne's collection.
(Reproduced from a photograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs.
Knatchbull-Hugessen.)

LADY BANKS . . . ... 158

From a drawing by John Russell, R.A. In Lady Brabourne's collection.
(Reproduced from a photograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs.
Knatchbull-Hugessen.)

MACARONIS . . i . . . 176

From an old print.

THE FLY CLUB ' « . . . . . 178

From a caricature by T. Rowlandson.

THE BATH BUTTERFLY . . . . . 180

From a caricature by J. Gillray.

XV

xvi ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S. . . ... 242

From a portrait by H. W. Pickersgill, R.A., belonging to the Linnean Society.

LANDING THE TREASURES . . ... 286

From a caricature by G. Cruiksbank, after a design of Capt. Marryat.

REVESBY ABBEY . . . ... 304

From Hewlett's Views in the County of Lincoln.

THE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY . . . . 314

From a caricature by G. Cruikshank.

MISTRESS SARAH SOPHIA BANKS '-., . . 322

From a drawing by John Russell, R.A. In Lady Brabourne's collection.
(Reproduced from a photograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs.
Knatchbull-Hugessen.)

AN OLD MAID ON A JOURNEY * . - , . 324

From a caricature by G. Cruikshank.

: I THE LIFE OF I I
SIR JOSEPH BANKS

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY

THE LIFE OF
SIR JOSEPH BANKS

CHAPTER I
EARLY YEARS

JOSEPH BANKS was born in Argyle Street, London,
February, 1743.
His great-grandfather, Joseph Banks, was
representative of a family of some wealth and
position in Lincolnshire ; member of Parliament for
Grimsby, and later for Totnes. He was an enthusiastic
antiquary ; and had for friends and correspondents such
men as Browne Willis, Doctor William Stukeley, and
others. Warmly attached to his house of Revesby Abbey,
he made his home there ; and probably travelled little,
except to London on his parliamentary duties. In a letter
to Stukeley, he speaks gratefully of a friend who writes
to tell him how the world goes on, news so welcome in a
remote place like his. He wishes the Doctor was able to be
with him : for plenty of unworldly news was within reach :
" I would show you a sight of eight Religious Houses,
very great ones, in twelve miles riding, in the nearest road
from my house to Lincoln, all within two hundred paces of
the road. Revesby Abbey, Tattershall College, Kirkstead,
Stickswould, Axholme, Bardney, Stanfield and Barlings
abbeys ; which show you what fine folks we have been

4 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

formerly^ '. l. \'* Browne Willis found Banks thirsting for
information on the history of his county, and worked up
some records of Revesby for him. And he gave the pro-
found advice for every gentleman's son — " every lad of a
mannour " — to collect in a book what he could of his parish,
urging his old friend to employ a transcriber from the
Records, when next time he is called up to London.

Mr. Banks died in 1727, aged sixty-two years. His
son Joseph was another honoured squire : Fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries, and a member of the Spalding
Gentlemen's Society. He was member of Parliament for
Peterborough, and sometime Sheriff of Lincolnshire. He
rebuilt Revesby Church.

The next generation is represented by William Banks,
who succeeded to the family estates on his father's death
in 1736. This was another public-spirited man, doubtless
a person of some consequence in the county. There was
published, in 1749, an " Open Letter " to this gentleman
on " Distemper among Horned Cattle " : a circumstance
which would imply something of leadership in agricultural
improvement. He represented Grampound in Parliament.

William Banks's wife was Marianne, daughter of William
Bate, Esq. One would like to know more of this lady,
the parent of such a masterful character as was that
of Sir Joseph throughout his long life. Nowadays, we
justly insist upon the share of mental and moral vigour in
a mother, as a factor in the mental and moral develop-
ment of a great and good man. The little that is recorded
of Mrs. William Banks, however, goes far enough to show
that she encouraged instead of thwarted the instincts
which afterward led her son to deserved honour. And
she had the great blessing of witnessing the best part of
his career. She died at an advanced age in 1804, at Sir
Joseph's house in Soho Square.1

1 " A lady remarkable for her charities and piety ; and devoted to
her religious duties in the Church of England." — G. Suttor.

EARLY YEARS 5

After suitable preparation at home, young Banks was
placed at Harrow School, where he spent about four
years. At thirteen he was sent to Eton. The master
soon recognized a cheerful and generous disposition, but
it was disappointing that he did not promise to be a
scholar. He was obviously an open-air boy ; fond of
sport and play ; not incapable of attentive study, yet
not disposed to it in a " bookish " sense. Activity and
energy in out-of-door pursuits was his most characteristic
feature. This, of course, made for honour with his school-
fellows, with whom he speedily became very popular.

One of his chosen associates was Mr. Brougham, father
of the future Chancellor. They were of the same age ;
were both fond of long walks, and expert in swimming.
" My father described him as a remarkably fine-looking,
strong, and active boy, whom no fatigue could subdue,
and no peril daunt ; and his whole time out of school was
given up to hunting after plants and insects, making a
hortus siccus of the one, and forming a cabinet of the other.
As often as Banks could induce him to quit his task in
reading or in verse-making, he would take him on his
long rambles ; and I suppose it was from this early taste
that we had at Brougham so many butterflies, beetles, and
other insects, as well as a cabinet of shells and fossils." 1

This taste for Natural Science was doubtless innate,
only awakened by the accidents of his environment.
The circumstance which somewhat altered his habits and
made him a keen observer of nature was related by Banks
in after years to his friend Sir Everard Home.2 One day
he had been bathing with his fellow Etonians ; and on
coming out of the water to dress he found that all but
himself had gone away. Having put on his clothes, he
walked slowly along a green lane. It was a fine summer's

1 Brougham : Lives of Men of Letters and Science Who Flourished
in the Time of George III.

2 Hunter ian oration.

6 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

evening ; flowers covered the sides of the path. He felt
delighted with the natural beauties around him, and
exclaimed, " How beautiful ! would it not be far more
reasonable to make me learn the nature of these plants
than the Greek and Latin I am confined to ? " His next
reflection was that he must do his duty, obey his father's
commands, and reconcile himself to the learning of the
school. But this did not hinder him from the study of
Botany; and having no better instructor he paid some
women who were employed in gathering plants for the
druggists, for such information as they could give him.
Returning home for the holidays, he was inexpressibly
delighted to find in his mother's dressing-room an old
copy of Gerarde's Herbal, having the names and figures
of those plants with which he had formed an imperfect
acquaintance, and he carried it with him back to school.
There he continued his collection of plants, and he also
made one of butterflies and other insects.

After leaving school, young Banks was entered at
Christ Church, Oxford. Meanwhile, early in the year 1761,
Mr. William Banks died, leaving Joseph and a sister to
the care of his widow. For the present Mrs. Banks left
Revesby for London, and took up her residence at Chelsea
with her children. She had learned that there were
peculiar advantages here. It was healthy, and it was
cheerful ; and they could live in the proximity of numer-
ous gardens. Her house was a Queen Anne mansion,
situated in Paradise Walk, near the famous Apothecaries'
Garden. She was determined to gratify her boy's bent
for Botany and Natural History.

These were the palmy days of Chelsea. It had its own
society. The houses of the aristocracy, with fine gardens,
were numerous ; and they abounded with companies of
well-cultured people. The Thames is wider here than at
any other point above London Bridge, and in those days,
if we may trust all the pleasant memories that have been

MRS. WILLIAM BANKS,1, ; I ."*•** J*» % • • ^

a drawing by John iF^sseli^R. A, •> "•* *, -?">">* i *,* * i"1 \

EARLY YEARS 7

recorded of it, Chelsea must have been a very charming
suburb. All these things suggest a happy combination
of circumstances ; under which young Banks was able
to indulge in his favourite pursuits without losing any
social advantages.

A story is related of Banks which perhaps belongs to
this period. He was out one day searching for plants,
on the bank of a ditch near Hounslow. A gentleman in
a post-chaise had just been robbed by a highwayman.
After the latter had decamped, the traveller proposed to
his driver that he should take the horses out of the
carriage and go in pursuit of the villain. They had not
gone far when they saw Mr. Banks under a hedge search-
ing for a plant, with the bridle of his horse upon his arm*
The post-boy called out, " Here he is ! " Banks was
forthwith conveyed, in spite of protestations, to Bow
Street, and charged before Sir John Fielding with the
robbery. The business ended with apologies and regrets,
as soon as the prisoner had satisfied the magistrate as to
his identity.

Banks presently departed for Oxford. From the time
he entered his college, it became clear that Fate had
determined for him a career far removed from the tradi-
tional ambitions of the University. Scholarship did not
attract him. Nor did he, although a social favourite,
yield to the fascinations of any set of mere pleasure-
loving undergraduates. He found a professorship of
Botany in existence. All other considerations yielded
to this ; and he at once made personal advances to the
holder.

This was Dr. Humphrey Sibthorp, of whom it was said
that he only gave one lecture in the course of thirty-five
years. He was father of John Sibthorp, a man who came
to higher distinction in botanical science, travelled widely
in search of plants, and was one of the founders of the
Linnean Society. Forthwith went our young enthusiast

8 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

to Professor Sibthorp, and was happy in arousing his
interest. Banks proposed to secure the services of a
reader or lecturer in Botany, whose remuneration should
be met by subscription from his pupils. With very
creditable kindness, Dr. Sibthorp at once acceded.

There was no one at Oxford willing or able to under-
take the thing. Banks, therefore, rode over to Cambridge
in search of a candidate ; made acquaintance with Dr.
Martyn, the Botanical Professor, and speedily found the
very man that was wanted. This was Israel Lyons, a
young man about four years the senior of Banks. He
was clever both in botany and mathematics. His father
was a noted character in the town of Cambridge, where
he kept a silversmith's shop, and taught Hebrew to some
of the University students. The younger Israel Lyons
was a remarkable specimen of the numerous class of self-
educated persons who helped to make the eighteenth
century. Like Banks, he had acquired proficiency in
Botany during his boyhood. He found a patron in Dr.
Robert Smith, master of Trinity, who was greatly im-
pressed by his mathematical knowledge. Lyons had
much promise of distinction.1

The experiment at Oxford was justified by events. A
few students gathered round, and Banks was rewarded
by seeing a new taste for Natural History come into
favour. As long as he remained at Oxford, Lyons was
encouraged by his pupil's progress in botanical knowledge,
and by the distinction which his example gave to the
study of the science.

Banks left Oxford in December, 1763. In the following
February he was of age, and then entered into the posses-
sion of his ancestral property. He lived much at Revesby,
with his mother and sister. He had no disposition to

1 He went as astronomer with Captain Phipps's Expedition toward
the North Pole (1773). He presently married well, and settled in
London. But he ended badly, and did not live to reach middle age.

EARLY YEARS 9

idleness. The pursuit of Natural History was followed
with the greatest ardour ; " his relaxation was confined
to exercise, and to angling, of which he was so fond that
he would devote days and nights to it ; and as it hap-
pened that Lord Sandwich had the same taste, and both
possessed estates in Lincolnshire, they became intimately
acquainted, and saw much of each other. So zealous
were these friends in the prosecution of this sport, that
they formed a project for suddenly draining the Ser-
pentine by letting off the water. Their hope was to
have thrown much light on the state and habits of the
fish. Banks was wont to lament their scheme being dis-
covered the night before it was to have been executed "
(Brougham).

A notable early acquaintance of Banks was Thomas
Pennant. He was a good zoologist, and produced several
popular books on birds and other fauna ; although there
was difference of opinion among his friends as to the
value of his attainments in natural history. He had a
better reputation for an observing traveller in his own
country : one that is still deserving of record for those
who would get a glimpse of Britain in Pennant's days.
His seat at Downing, Flintshire, was the centre of an
intelligent and very wide circle of friends. Banks and
Pennant had more than one botanizing tour together.

Another botanical friend was the Rev. John Lightfoot,
who later acquired some distinction in the science. Such
men as these entered into Banks's life in these earlier
days. Yet he did not keep outside the great world
of London. He had a town house in New Burlington
Street. Here he attracted the society of intelligent
persons, especially those who were able to collaborate in
the study of Natural Science. There must have been
something attractive about his personality as a young
man. His circle of congenial friends was ever widening.
Nothing could be more suggestive of his social and in-

io THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

tellectual status than his election to the Royal Society
at the early age of twenty-three. Banks was nominated
(April, 1766) by Dr. Charles Lyttleton, Bishop of Carlisle,
an antiquary of the period ; Dr. Morton, librarian at the
British Museum ; William Watson, M.D., who always re-
mained a friend and associate of Banks, and was himself
highly distinguished in physics and astronomy ; Richard
Kaye, afterwards Dean of Lincoln ; and Mr. James West,
a former President of the Society. Banks was already
a member of the Society of Arts, and in time came to be
one of its most assiduous supporters.

Banks had what were then unusually wide views as to
the possibility of extending his knowledge of botany and
natural history. It was nothing new to send out ex-
plorers and collectors of exotic plants. But he was,
perhaps, the first young man of fortune who was induced
personally to take the hazards of such a life. In this very
year, 1766, an opportunity occurred for a first adventure,
or what his friend Lightfoot would call a freak, of this
sort.

The occasion was this. The Niger t Captain Thomas
Adams, was ordered to Newfoundland and Labrador on
business concerning the fisheries. An Oxford friend of
Banks, Lieutenant Constantine Phipps, was on board.
Phipps was at the beginning of a career of some little
note. After several years of naval life, he succeeded his
father as Lord Mulgrave, and took an active part in
public affairs. Now, at twenty- two years of age, he was
prepared for any step which would lead to distinction.
The spirit of adventure was in the air, and specially
attractive was any project for exploring distant lands.
The idea of Banks accompanying the ship with the view
of studying Natural History was made only to be warmly
adopted. Preparations for joining the Niger were made
with that profusion, and disregard of expense, which
characterized Banks during all his lifetime when there

EARLY YEARS n

was a worthy object in view, and when there was a
scientific trip to the fore.

He left London on April 7, 1766, and joined his
friend Phipps at the latter's house in Hampshire. Before
leaving Plymouth they visited Mount Edgcumbe, Banks
botanizing there as, indeed, he had done all along the
route, beside taking intelligent notice of other matters.
The Niger sailed April 22, and reached Newfoundland
May ii. On landing, an active life began at once. Long
walks were taken. Plants and birds and fish, and the
manners and customs of the sparse inhabitants in turn
attracted observation, and kept the travellers busy.
Fishing was excellent everywhere. Fowling and shooting
were always to be had. Banks was ill with fever during
August, and had a milder attack in October ; otherwise,
he heartily enjoyed the whole affair. Even sea-sickness
was conquered in a series of boat trips, which were
frequent and necessary in the tiny archipelagoes that
fringed the coasts. Mosquitoes were very troublesome, a
source of trial to the temper which had not been foreseen,
and against which no precautions appear to have been laid.

The ship was stationed for some weeks in Croque
Harbour, and afterward visited Chatteaux Bay and other
settlements as far as Esquimaux Islands, off Labrador.
She returned southward in October, and sailed from
St. John's on the 28th of that month. The pleasure of
the homeward voyage was marred by a severe gale, during
which a sea broke over the quarter and almost filled
the cabin with water. A precious box of seeds was
demolished, as well as the box of earth with plants in it
which stood upon deck. Happily, the journal full of
zoological and botanical notes was kept intact.

The Niger made for Lisbon and reached that port on
November 2. She was stationed there for some weeks.
Thus Banks was enabled to stay in Portugal, and keep
his active mind at work on the many topics which ap-

12 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

pealed to him in that country. He made fresh friends
there, and afterwards joined a club or society devoted
to the study of Natural History, with which he kept in
touch by correspondence after reaching home. Early
in the spring his friend Captain Adams sailed for England.1

After his return, Banks divided his home into alternate
stay at Revesby Abbey and in New Burlington Street.
Upon his Lincolnshire estate he was arduous in studying
methods of agriculture, which, in his eyes, was really a
branch of botanical science. He made his first appear-
ance at the Royal Society on February 15, 1767. The
Labrador expedition was thought well of in the scientific
world. It was suggested to him that he would be ex-
pected to produce a report on the excursion for the
benefit of the Royal Society. But nothing of the kind
was done : probably on account of shyness, a trait which
was visible in Banks at this period of his life and even
for some years later.

During these early years, Banks seems to have been
very fond of rambling about the country. There was
always a tour in prospect as soon as summer impended.
It is much to be regretted that we know this only from
scanty inferences. Two trips were undertaken this year.
Happily, there is record of one of these ;2 a journey by
way of Dorset and Somerset to Bristol. It is not clear
whether Banks had a companion. His friend, Richard
Kaye, is mentioned once, and may have been fellow-
traveller all the way. Banks was now adding archaeology
to his means of culture.

He started May 15 for Dorsetshire, reaching Eastbury
House, in Tarrant Gunville, the same night. There
was a barrow to be examined in the park. At Chettle,

1 There were journals of this excursion kept by Banks, which were
dispersed at the sale of his MSS. in 1886. But a copy of the New-
foundland portion (in the handwriting of Miss Banks) is preserved at
the Natural History Museum.

2 Printed by the Bristol Naturalists' Society, VI, pp. 6 ct seq. (1899).

EARLY YEARS 13

next day, there was another barrow, and on the i8th a
third. He visited a distant relative, Mr. Bankes of
Kingston Lacy, and saw his pictures ; and Mr. Hum-
phrey Sturt, at Crichel, who kept several kinds of
animals in the park. On the 2ist there was another
barrow. By this time he is prepared to launch out into
conjectures as to their meaning and origin. Travelling
through Shaftesbury and Bath to Bristol, he proceeded
to Chepstow. Here, and in the neighbourhood, he revelled
for several days, alternately charmed with the country
and absorbed in botanizing. At Piercefield (" much im-
proved since I saw it last ") he visited a friend, Valentine
Morris. On the 26th he returned to Bristol, and had a
day's botanizing at Clifton. After this he visited Wells,
Glastonbury, Taunton, Bridgewater, Clevedon ; and
then stayed at Clifton a few days, with more botanizing
at St. Vincent's Rocks. On the way home to London
he stopped to look at Silbury Hill and the other strange
relics thereabouts, including the Grey Wethers, of which a
few stones yet remain visible from the highway. He
found " the people in that neighbourhood were breaking
great numbers of them, either to mend the roads or
build houses, which gave me an opportunity of examining
them and bringing away some pieces, which I found to
be of a very hard and fine-grained sandstone."

Another excursion was taken this summer, in the com-
pany of two companions. They spent a week or two in
North Wales, mostly botanizing. William Hudson was
one of this party ; in all likelihood a very good comrade
for the occasion. His social merits were high, the out-
come of a tranquil but genial disposition. He had studied
with an apothecary, and practised v medicine. An ac-
quaintance with Benjamin Stillingfleet, together with an
ardent study of the Sloane Collections, made him a
botanist. He acquired a European fame by the publica-
tion of his Flora Anglica (London, 1762).

CHAPTER II
ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK

A opportunity came, in the year 1768, for an
exploit in all respects suitable to the active
genius of Mr. Banks. Circumnavigation had
been a topic of interest for several years past,
not less in scientific than in political circles. British cap-
tains had gained renown, and Frenchmen had closely
emulated them, by tales of adventure and research in
hitherto unknown seas ; and bulky compilations of travel
and exploration were popular with all classes of people
who read any books at all. Now, yet another project was
in the air, to unravel the mysteries of the southern ocean.
The occasion was this. The Royal Society was desirous
of getting an accurate observation of the Transit of
Venus, which was due in 1769. The Transit of 1761 had
not been satisfactorily observed. Great anticipations were
formed by astronomers of an improved result in 1769 —
Dr. Maskelyne at Greenwich, and the Rev. Thomas
Hornsby at Oxford, led discussions on the more suitable
stations for taking the observation. Hornsby contributed
an excellent paper on the subject to the Philosophical
Transactions. Having established their position, and
marshalled its points in a memorial to the King, the
Royal Society obtained an immediate acquiescence in the
proposal to send various expeditions to distant quarters
of the globe. On March 24, 1768, the President an-
nounced that £4000 had been paid to him, on account of
the astronomical expenses. The places decided upon as

14

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 15

best for the observation were Madras, Hudson's Bay, and
an island in the Pacific Ocean. The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany granted a passage in one of their vessels ; and the
Admiralty fitted out ships for the use of the other parties.
The immortal James Cook, then a lieutenant, R.N.,
was chosen to take the company to the southern seas ;
accompanied by Charles Green, the astronomer. Alexan-
der Dalrymple, hydrographer to the Admiralty, one of
the first geographers of the age, missed this chance of being
associated with this famous expedition : he was willing
to go in full charge, as it was first proposed ; but he in-
sisted on the rank of captain, which the Admiralty re-
fused, and his nomination was withdrawn.

Lord Sandwich was then at the head of the Admiralty ;
a man having every sympathy with the undertaking.
This circumstance had much to do with the generous and
ready aid of his Department. His young friend Banks
was not less concerned in the success of the affair. It was
not long before Banks came to think seriously of taking
a personal share in it. He proposed to the Council of the
Royal Society that he should join Lieutenant Cook ; and
it would appear, from their official application to the
Admiralty, that there was as much personal regard for
their patriotic Fellow as there was satisfaction with his
liberal offer.1

Banks's friends, generally speaking, were interested
and elated with the prospect of his voyage. But there
were some who urged him warmly to relinquish the
idea, and make the Grand Tour of Europe instead. His

1 " The Council have appointed Mr. Charles Green, and Captain
Cook, who is commander of the vessel, to be their observers ; besides
whom, Joseph Banks, Esq., Fellow of the Society, a gentleman of large
fortune, who is well versed in Natural History, being desirous of under-
taking the same voyage, the Council very earnestly request then* Lord-
ships, that in regard to Mr. Banks's great personal merit, and for the
advancement of useful knowledge, he also, together with his suite,
being seven persons more (that is, eight in all) together with their
baggage, be received on board of the ship in command of Captain
Cook."— Weld : History of the Royal Society, II, 38.

16 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

answer was, " Every blockhead does that ; my Grand
Tour shall be one round the whole globe."

Several correspondents presented him with advice, not
to say elementary instruction. But there is a general
tone of real friendliness and appreciation. Mr. Pennant
warned him not to forget umbrellas (which were at that
time novel in England) and oilskin coats. Thomas
Falconer sent many pages of pure prolixity, on geo-
graphy and geographers. A London merchant provided
him with peach-spirit ; and with advice on the use of
lemon-juice and the proper way of curing fresh provisions
at sea. This gentleman had also a little bottle to offer
Banks, made from a " peculiar elastic glutinous body of
which small bottles and balls are made." Few persons,
in the year 1768, had seen caoutchouc ; but Banks was
one of them, having brought from Lisbon two balls of it.
The Rev. Gilbert White had heard of the projected
voyage. He writes certain memoranda on Birds, and
wishes Mr. Banks a great deal of success and satisfaction
in his laudable pursuits ; a prosperous voyage, and a safe
return. . . . " P.S. — I became somewhat of a botanist
without any teaching, and almost without books. But
under such a master as you are, I should be convinced
how little I knew."

Banks 's preparations for his voyage were made on a
most ample, not to say extravagant, scale. No expense
was spared. The staff included John Reynolds, Sydney
Parkinson, and Alexander Buchan, artists ; Henry
Sporing, assistant draughtsman ; James Roberts and
Peter Briscoe, servants from Revesby ; and two negro
servants. Beside these was Daniel Carl Solander, whose
acquaintance Banks had made in the preceding year.
His status was, perhaps, that of a friend and guest.
Solander was a Swedish naturalist who had come to
England on the suggestion of Linnaeus. He made his
mark at once : was appointed a naturalist at the British

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 17

Museum, and became a F.R.S. in 1764. Few of the
foreigners who then settled in England were so readily
acceptable and so highly esteemed as Solander.

The Endeavour, Lieutenant James Cook, made sail
from Plymouth on August 25, 1768, and anchored off
Deal on July 12, 1771. During these three years she had
sailed round the globe, in the following itinerary : Madeira,
September 12 ; Rio Janeiro, November 13 ; Tierra del
Fuego, January 15, 1769 ; Otaheite, April 13 ; New
Zealand, October 8 ; New Holland, April 28, 1770 ;
Torres Straits, August ; Savu, September 17 ; Batavia,
October 9 ; Cape of Good Hope, March 12, 1771 ; St.
Helena, May i.

The results of this voyage were beyond expectation.
The observation of the Transit of Venus ; many additions
to Geographical knowledge ; the study of the products,
and the fauna and flora of remote lands and seas ; and
reports upon the character and condition of primitive
peoples, were the definite objects of pursuit. In all these
things the enterprise was entirely successful. This was
due to the strong personality of each leader of the Expedi-
tion. Cook had proved himself a first-class marine
surveyor in hitherto little-known quarters of the globe.
Through his influence the crew were saved from the
horrors of scurvy, and spared many of the ordinary
hardships of a long sea-voyage. Banks was enthusiastic
and untiring. His mind was active and vigorous, letting
nothing escape his observation. Gifted with a manly
presence and a genial but dignified manner, he usually
impressed the untutored savage on very short acquaint-
ance. By the recent publication of his own Journal of the
Voyage,1 light is for the first time thrown on his ability
to treat facts synthetically, and to make a picturesque
and intelligent summary of all that attracted his atten-
tion. For the first time, be it said : because, oddly

1 Ed. by Sir Joseph D. Hooker (London, 1896).
C

i8 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

enough, he seldom ventured into print for public reading
with the exception of a few horticultural or agricultural
papers.

Vast additions were revealed to European knowledge
of the plants, and the birds, and the fish, of tropical and
sub-tropical climes. Much of this accession of material
to Natural Science has been assimilated from time to
time ; only experts know very much about the details of
its source. Perhaps their greatest " wonder " was the
Kangooroo. The ship's company were interested to excite-
ment over this strange creature. Sometimes they made
it an object of pursuit when out in search of game.
Its movements upon the hind-legs, with a strange sort of
jump or hop, did not seem to lack speed ; for, on the
ship's greyhound being brought out to the chase, it could
not outstrip the Kangooroo.1 Banks's manuscript
journal records faithfully the places whence he derived his
botanical treasures. The actual Herbarium reposes in
safety in the Natural History Museum at South Kensing-
ton.

A noticeable feature of this voyage was the general
good health maintained by the ship's company until they
reached Batavia. This was very much due to their
ability to get fresh and wholesome food whenever they
communicated with the shore. The captain was able
to give away his live stock when occasion offered, and

1 A certain journal of high reputation, in reviewing Dr. Hooker's
Banks's Journal, remarked that " Dampier recorded, in 1697, how he
had eaten a sort of racoon with very short fore-legs, on the west coast of
Australia. It is a curious fact that the English, so ready to suspect
foreigners of taking advantage of their discoveries, are not always so
ready to give their neighbours all the credit due to them." This is both
unjust and in bad taste. The idea that the average Englishman ignores
the merits of the wise and clever men of other countries is a journalese
fallacy rather in vogue of late years. There has never been a people
so generous to the foreigner as the English. If this sarcastic allegation,
however, must needs be flourished once in a while, the very last person
to be chosen for exemplification should be Joseph Banks.

Besides, Dampier was no foreigner ! He was an Englishman, native
of Somerset.

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 19

many are the pigs and poultry which now flourish in
Australasia and in the Friendly Islands that are descended
from the stocks left behind by Cook. For months to-
gether the ship's provisions were kept almost untasted.
Cocoa-nuts, and bread-fruit, and strange new birds, etc.,
supplied their larder. And, whatever length of time they
were kept on or near the shore, there arose no distaste
for these things. Perhaps the most remarkable of the
new kinds of food which they enjoyed was the Bread-fruit
(Artocarpus incisa), so plentiful in Otaheite that one
could walk for miles under the grateful shade of these
trees, which, together with cocoa-palms, were found grow-
ing everywhere in great profusion. They had scarcely
landed at Otaheite, when barter began with the natives for
bread-fruit, both roasted and raw. A bead as large as a
pea purchased four or six bread-fruits and a like number
of cocoa-nuts. Banks tells us that they were obliged to
leave off buying for two days, so great was the supply.
Two months later there was a sudden scarcity. The
season had come for gathering the bread-fruits wholesale,
with the object of storing them, or of manipulating them
into a sort of paste — called mahie, which served for food
until the appearance of a new crop. The chief sustenance
of these people seemed to be the bread-fruit ; and beside
this, the inner bark of the tree furnished a capital material
for weaving into cloth.

The ship's party were not exempt from occasional dis-
aster. At Tierra del Fuego, the two negro servants
succumbed to the cold and exposure ; and here Mr.
Buchan, the artist, exhibited the first signs of illness which
carried him off three months later. Otherwise the entire
company enjoyed good health until they stopped at the
fatal port of Batavia, two years after leaving England.
One after another they became ill with malarial fever.
Several died, and were buried there ; and others, after
the ship left, who were buried at sea. These included

20 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Green, the astronomer, who had successfully observed the
Transit of Venus, and was thus deprived of the personal
renown which awaited him at home. Monkhouse, the
surgeon, had died on shore. Sporing and Parkinson
followed. Cook was taken ill, and Banks and his friend
Solander were brought very near to death's door. In all,
thirty-eight persons perished during the voyage, most of
them in consequence of the malarial climate of Batavia.
In a social sense, the Expedition was fortunate every-
where, except at Rio Janeiro, where the authorities
had been indisposed to entertain the voyagers, and even
regarded their errand with suspicion. At the Dutch
settlements in Java, people were extremely friendly and
hospitable. And wherever they had to do with indigenous
natives (which both Cook and Banks always call Indians)
they lived on amicable terms. Any differences that did
arise were owing to petty thefts. During their stay of
three months at Otaheite there were no misunderstandings
of a lasting character. One of the natives, Tupia, in
company with his little son, joined the ship on leaving
Otaheite ; but these unfortunately died at Batavia.

The ship herself escaped any serious trouble until she
was among the reefs off the coast of Australia. On one
day they had almost given up hopes of escape from utter
shipwreck. What appeared to be a fatal leak, however,
aroused the ingenuity of a midshipman, Jonathan Monk-
house, who suggested the operation of " fothering," i.e.
preparing a sail in such manner as to cover the leak and
arrest the flow of water into the ship's hold. On later
examination of the damaged hull, it was found that a
piece of rock had broken off and was fixed in the rent.
This unique circumstance had really saved the ship, by
delaying the influx of water in the first instance.

The Endeavour had been a long time absent from home.
People began to wonder whether she would ever be heard

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 21

of again. Some messages had been received from the
ship's company early on the voyage. Mr. Pennant had a
letter from Rio Janeiro ; and then silence closed over
them. In October, 1770, there must have been unpleasant
rumour about them in the newspapers. Pennant, writing
to his friend the Rev. George Ashby, says, " I do not
know what to say about Mr. Banks. The account shocked
me greatly. What makes me uneasy is that I do not hear
anybody had a line from him from the Falkland Islands,
which were long in our possession after he touched at
them. I have wrote to his family, and hope to find the
newspapers contradicted."

All misgivings were set at rest in May, 1771, by the
arrival in London of news from Sydney Parkinson.
The poor man had written from Batavia, and his letter
reached England only two months before his more
fortunate fellow- voyagers. The Endeavour cast anchor
in the Downs on July 12. Mr. Banks landed the same
day and proceeded to London.

During these years of absence Banks was not forgotten
by his friends. Upon his reappearance there was universal
joy, especially " among the learned and curious." It
was not merely restoration to his own circle. Banks
leaped into fame, and became a person of importance.
The success of the hazardous voyage to which he had
committed himself, and the rumour of his achievements
in Natural History, caused him to be welcomed by all
that class of Englishmen who admire the results of hardy
and intrepid action. The Royal Society was not in
session, but the President, Sir John Pringle, speedily
carried him off to Kew, and introduced him to George III.
The King granted him an interview on August 10 ; when
Banks and Solander had a long conference with His
Majesty on the discoveries they had made, and their
marvellous adventures among the islands of the South.

22 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

A very cordial friendship arose now between Banks
and George III, a circumstance fraught with the greatest
benefits to the work of Science. His Majesty habitually
consulted Banks on points bearing on the welfare of
his people ; while it was the lot of Banks to have his
part in the institution of useful schemes, in a quarter
where there was likelihood of their being efficiently
promoted.

" The people most talked of at present are Messrs.
Banks and Solander."1 He was certainly much lionized.
But the chief gratification was his reception by the
scientific world. Dr. Solander likewise came in for
proper recognition. Everybody liked Solander in his
personality alone ; to meet him at his official post or in
Banks 's house was an intellectual treat.2

The friendship between Banks and Lord Sandwich was
largely consolidated by the great exploit. They were in
constant association, mutually interested in horticulture,
in useful public projects, and in the welfare of the Navy
especially. Sandwich was an able minister of State, and
made a splendid chief of the Admiralty.3 Some time in

1 Lady Mary Coke : Journal, III, 435 ; IV, 153, etc. This lady met
Banks in society several times. She throws a chance light on an un-
known side of the young man's character: "August n, 1771, Mr.
Morrice was excessively drole according to custom ; and said he hoped
Mr. Banks, who since his return has desired Miss Blosset will excuse his
marrying her, will pay her for the materials of all the work'd waistcoats
she made for him during the time he was sailing round the world."

2 One of the distant admirers of Banks, who does not come closer
into his life, was the clever but wayward Edward Wortley Montagu the
younger. Writing to a friend (Feb., 1773) he says : " Good God ! how
happy are these gentlemen, in having been so serviceable to mankind.
... I am much obliged to you for the light in which you set me to Sir
John Pringle, Mr. Banks, and Dr. Solander ; but you diminish my
ardour to be acquainted with them, lest by knowing them they should
find me much below the high mark at which your friendship has placed
me. However, in the meantime assure them of the real gratitude with
which my heart is filled for their good opinion of me." — Nichols :
Literary Anecdotes, IV, 640, 645.

3 This : in spite of the partisan traditions, which are reproduced
in one cyclopaedia after another. Following Macaulay, writers in
allusion to Lord Sandwich roll under their tongues the delicious verbal

ROUND THE., WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 23

September of this year, there was company at Lord
Sandwich's house at Hinchingbrook to meet Dr. Burney,
Captain Cook, Mr. Banks, and Dr. Solander. Thus much
Fanny Burney,1 who has frequent notices of all these men.
Few are the readers of our story but will regret there is
no record come down to us of these delightful days : en-
livened with the learning and anecdotage of Dr. Burney,
the wit of Lord Sandwich, and the genial good-humour of
Solander. On this occasion, too, the project of a second
circumnavigation was discussed with young James
Burney as a possible sharer in its perils and glories.
It seems almost incredible that even the energetic Banks
would care so soon again to meet the perils, and the
enormous expense, of another voyage round the world,
together with the enforced deprival of the society of his
friends. Yet the thing was already in train. Before the
close of the year, preparations were going forward for a
second Expedition, on a more ambitious scale. At first
it was proposed to send a fifty-gun ship and two frigates.
But the decision was finally in favour of two vessels
only, under the command of Cook.

Upon Lord Sandwich suggesting to Banks that his
assistance would be welcome to the furtherance of the
Expedition, he readily volunteered. His time was
therefore occupied very busily during the ensuing months,
partly in arranging his collections and treasures and
exhibiting them to his friends, and partly in the prepara-

morsel, Jemmy Twitcher ; and thus perpetuate a loathsome and half-
told story. We do not know all the truth about Lord Sandwich. His
reputation has suffered from tales of his youthful follies ; all the more
that exaggeration and caricature have made their memory endure. He
was a steady friend. His social qualities were excellent, as we learn
from Joseph Cradock and others. His dinner-table was a delight, as
were his musical evenings. We might be tempted to give anecdotes in
support of these statements ; but we must not be too discursive on
matters apart from our central figure. Besides \since this note was
written), it is reported that a careful and critical biography of Sandwich
is already in hand.

1 Early Diary, etc., I, 138.

24 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

tions for his new voyage. The same profuse expenditure
as before was devoted to fresh stores of books, instruments,
etc. A Royal Academician (Zoffany) was engaged as
principal artist, together with three draughtsmen, two
secretaries, and nine servants. Everything was done
in a princely manner.

After all this preparation Banks was obliged to retire
from personal share in the Expedition. There was so
much difficulty about the accommodation to be afforded
for his party, and the Navy Board being unable to meet
Banks 's views in several points, that he withdrew.
Brougham and other writers who have alluded to this
occurrence are rather warmly disposed to implicate
individuals in the disagreements which occurred. It is
not unnatural, under the circumstances ; for the official
mind seems to have been a little jealous of Banks's
influence in the business.1 Yet the difficulties would,
perhaps, have been safely weathered but for an unforeseen
circumstance, which precipitated matters.

Lieutenant Clerke, on board the Resolution, lying in the
river, wrote to Mr. Banks (May 13, 1772) to the following
effect : " We weigh'd anchor at Gravesend this morning
about 10 o'clock, with a fine breeze from the eastward.
The wind from that quarter laid us under the necessity
of working down the reaches : which work, I am sorry to
tell you, we found the Resolution very unequal to. ...
She is so very bad that the pilot declares he will not run
the risk of his character so far as to take charge of her

1 It is likely enough that more than one person already discerned
in Banks a possible " despot." One matter in which he was thwarted
was his nomination of Dr. Priestley. Banks invited him to join this
second Expedition as astronomer. In his view an astronomer was an
astronomer, and a great master in physics was a philosopher. But some
clergyman on this Board of Longitude objected to Priestley's appoint-
ment on account of his religious principles ; and so strong became the
opposition that Banks pressed the point in vain. (v. details of this
incident in Kitson's Captain James Cook the Circumnavigator, London
1907.)

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 25

farther than the Nore without a fair wind ; that he
cannot, with safety to himself, attempt working her to
the Downs. Hope you know me too well to impute my
giving this intelligence to any ridiculous apprehensions
for myself. By God, I'll go to sea in a grog- tub, if re-
quired, or in the Resolution as soon as you please ; but
must say I think her by far the most unsafe ship I ever
saw or heard of. However, if you think proper to embark
for the South Pole in a ship which a pilot will not under-
take to carry down the river, all I can say is you shall be
cheerfully attended as long as we can keep above water."
Between this I2th of May and the 3ist, when Clerke
wrote again from Sheerness, Banks had ordered all his
stores to be removed from the ship ; Dr. Solander, Dr.
Lind, Mr. Zoffany, and the draughtsmen did likewise. The
unseaworthiness of the ship may have been occasioned
by the alterations which had been made to accommodate
the naturalists and their party. Be that as it may, a
protest reached the Admiralty Office, in accord with the
complaint made to Banks in this letter. In order to
avoid the possibility of the King's anger at this denouncing
of the ship, His Majesty was informed that it was all
on account of Mr. Banks's unreasonable demands. Upon
learning this, Banks instantly withdrew from the project.1

1 Toward the close of his life, Banks was consulted by Robert Brown
as to his recollection of the actual facts in this case. The following
paper (in Brown's handwriting) is preserved, among his collected letters
(vol. I), in the Natural History Museum. As the affair caused much
discussion at the period, and it has always been left an incoherent story,
it is worth while putting it here on record that Banks had a tale of his
own to tell about it : —

" Soon after my return from my voyage round the world, I was
solicited by Lord Sandwich, the first Lord of the Admiralty, to under-
take another voyage of the same nature. His solicitation was couched
in the following words : ' if you will go we send other ships.' So strong a
solicitation, agreeing exactly with my own desires, was not to be neg-
lected. I accordingly answered that I was ready and willing. The Navy
Board was then ordered to provide two ships proper for the service. This
they did and gave me notice when it was done. I immediately went on
board the principal ship and found her very improper for our purpose.

26 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

How far Cook was involved in these disagreements
is not known. It would appear that his relations with
Banks were a little strained. He writes from the Cape
of Good Hope (November 18, 1772) : " Dear sir, some
cross circumstances which happened at the latter part
of the equipment of the Resolution created, I have reason
to think, a coolness between you and me. But I can by
no means think it was sufficient to me to break off all
correspondence with a man I am under many obligations
to, . . ." and proceeds with a gossipy relation of some
marine incidents, including a sad tale of some bad-

Instead of having provided a ship in which an extraordinary number of
people might be accommodated, they had chosen one with a low and
small cabin and remarkably low between decks. This I objected to,
and was answered that it could not nor should not be remedied. With
this answer I went immediately to Lord Sandwich, who having advised
with several people ordered the cabin to be raised eight inches for our
convenience, and a spar deck to be laid the whole length of the ship for
the accommodation of the people. This order I suppose vext the Navy
Board ; for, from that time they never ceased to pursue me with every
obstacle they could throw in my way, and at last overthrew my design.
First, to the proposed alterations they added a round-house for the
Captain to be built over all this ; and all other alterations they made
with timber so heavy and strong that the top of the round-house was
literally thicker than the. gun-deck of the ship. This though I saw I
could not remedy. The ship was made so crank by it that she could not
go to sea. Some of the oldest sea-officers, who I believe were jealous
that discovery should go out of their line, procured an order that the
ship might be reduced to her original state. In this situation then I
was again offered the alternative to go or let it alone, with a great deal
of coolness however ; for I now had inadvertently opened to them every
idea of discovery which my last voyage had suggested to me, and thence
they thought themselves able to follow without my assistance now they
had once got possession of them.

" As the alterations which they had made rendered it impossible for
my people to be lodged, or to do their respective duties, I resolved to
refuse to go, and wrote a letter to Lord Sandwich, a copy of which is
inserted in the Appendix, stating my reasons.

" I shall now give a list of the people who I had at my own expense
engaged as assistants in this undertaking : —

" Dr. Solander : now well known in the learned world as my assistant
in Natural History.

Mr. John Fredk. Miller ^

Mr. James Miller }- Draughtsmen for Natural History.

Mr. Cleveley

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 27

pickled salmon, which even the pigs on board would
not touch.

Banks still did what he could to promote the new
Expedition. The naturalists were John Reinhold Forster
and his son Georg. Both of these were really scientific
men ; and later, after their return to Germany, acquired
deserved fame for their philosophical writings. The
father had come to England in 1766, with a young family,
and had a rough struggle for existence, until he came
under the patronage of Daines Barrington, Thomas
Pennant, and other votaries of Natural Science.

One inevitable result of the exploit of Captain Cook
was the appearance in the air of the literary birds of
prey. There was money to be made out of the Tale.
In the magazines and elsewhere there were feeble attempts
made to anticipate the authentic narrative, a circumstance
which caused some annoyance to Mr. Banks and his
friends.

besides nine servants, all practised and taught by myself to collect and
preserve such objects of Natural History as might occur ; three of
whom had already been with me on my last voyage. Besides this I had
had influence enough to prevail with the Board of Longitude to send
with us Messrs. Bailey and Wales as astronomers, and also with the
House of Commons to give £4000 to enable Dr. Lind of Gorgie, re-
markable for his knowledge in Natural Philosophy and Mechanicks, to
accompany us.

" These gentlemen, except only the astronomers who did not at all
belong to me, were to a man so well convinced of the impossibility of
our going out in the state the ship was now reduced to, that they all
refused with me, and so well were they satisfied with my conduct that
though I believe every one but Dr. Solander was separately tampered
with to embark without me, not one would at all listen to any pro-
posals which could be offered to them.

" Upon my refusal to go out, the ships were ordered to proceed, and
in order to do as much as possible even in the branch of Natural History,
Mr. Forster, a gentleman known to the learned world by his translations
of several books, was engaged under the immediate protection of the
King ; and, soon after, Mr. William Hodges, a young man who had
chiefly studied architecture, was joined to him as Landscape and Figure
Painter. With those gentlemen on board, the ships Resolution and
Adventure sailed from Plymouth on the I2th of July, 1772. In the
meantime I had received several overtures from the East India Com-
pany, who seemed inclined to send me on the same kind of voyage the
next spring."

28 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

One of these publications appeared as early as Sep-
tember, 1771 : Journal of a Voyage round the World in
the Endeavour.1 This was published by Thomas Beckett,
bookseller in the Strand, who in capacity of Editor, says,
" I considered to [publish] it from the agreeable manner
in which it was written, as well as by the honourable
mention that is made of the ingenious gentlemen, Mr.
Banks and Mr. Solander, and I am convinced it is the
production of a gentleman and a scholar." The in-
dividual's name was never divulged. No less than ten
private journals were handed over to Cook at his request,
but this " gentleman " appears to have evaded it. The
special interest attaching to the book occurs in the
narrator's allusion to the disagreeable consequences
resulting from the behaviour of some of the crew, while
on shore at Otaheite ; and the inference drawn that a
French crew had been there before them.

Perhaps the writer of this journal (if not the person who
put it into literary form) is B. Lauragais, who wrote to
Banks in the spring of 1772. Alluding to the reproaches
he was expecting, he says, " which, I think, I am so little
deserving of, that when I informed you lately of the con-
sent I had given to the printing of the French galanteries
at Otaheite, I imagined you answered you would be
glad of it : considering that nothing was contained in
that little narrative but what was true, and at the same
time honourable to you. ... I believe that less dis-
advantage can arise from printing our writings than in
permitting Thousand Falsehoods to be spread abroad
supposed to be related by us. Being actuated by these
motives, I have permitted the printing of them ; and
my consent was solicited by a man to whom I had given
my manuscript. . . . The printer is so eager to sell them
that he does little care for correction."

1 Transl. into French by A. F. J. de Freville : Supplement an
Voyage de Bougainville, etc. (Paris, 1772).

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 29

Another account of the Expedition appeared the same
year : "A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas in H.M.S.
the Endeavour. Faithfully transcribed from the papers
of the late Sydney Parkinson, draughtsman to Joseph
Banks, Esq., on his late Expedition with Dr. Solander,
round the world. Embellished with views and designs
delineated by the Author, and engraved by capital
Artists."

This book gave Banks a great deal of trouble. Parkin-
son was quite a young man, with considerable promise as
an artist. Banks had been generous toward him,
always encouraged him, paid him well, and was much
grieved at his untimely death. But he supposed that the
result of Sydney's work was his own property, as having
been done in his service. Imagine his surprise, on learning
that a brother, Stanfield Parkinson, laid claim to Sydney's
drawings and collections ! When the above work was
published, readers were indulged to a lengthy preface,
full of the Editor's wrongs with Mr. Banks ; with an
acrimonious account of their dispute ; and plainly
charging Banks with embezzling his brother's property :
albeit throwing in some admissions of his " generosity,
integrity, and probity." The dispute widened and
lengthened. Dr. Fothergill (hitherto unacquainted person-
ally with Banks) was called in as a sort of arbitrator.
After a weary time, during which Banks maintained the
rights he had claimed, and Parkinson quarrelled with
Dr. Fothergill, the affair came to an end, and Banks
gave £500 to Sydney Parkinson's family. Stanfield was
evidently rather a crazy person. He presently died in
St. Luke's Hospital.

Of the ten journals which were delivered up to Captain
Cook, seven have been printed, recently, in the Historical
Records of New South Wales, vol. I. One of these was by
Green, the astronomer ; another by Charles Clerke, who
was concerned in the later voyages of Cook.

30 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

It was Banks 's intention to produce on his own account
a history of the Expedition and its results in Natural
Science. He proceeded very far with this undertaking.
A vast number of drawings and paintings were finished
off from the rough sketches of Buchan and Parkinson ;
and people were asking, for years afterwards, especially
from Germany, when the publication would be complete.
The reason why it was relinquished has never been made
clear. The drawings, or very many of them, are in the
custody of the British Museum. There are five hundred
finished copper plates stowed away at South Kensington.
A partial resurrection has been made, in a superb volume,
" Illustrations of Australian Plants, collected in 1770
during Captain Cook's voyage round the world in the
Endeavour. By the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart.,
K.B., P.R.S., and Dr. Solander, F.R.S. With determinations
by James Britten, F.L.S., Senior Assistant, British
Museum. Printed by order of the Trustees ..." (Folio,
London, 1905).

What may be called the official account of Cook's
first voyage was undertaken by John Hawkesworth,
who received from the Government £6000 in payment for
his services. His story was made up from Cook's journal,
Banks 's own journal, and some personal contributions
from Dr. Solander, assisted by access to Admiralty
records. The book was one of the literary triumphs of
the day. It has naturally become classic to the geographer.
But it was fatal to Dr. Hawkesworth. Envy and jealousy
marked him. A fierce attack was made upon him ;
the principal charges being that he had allowed himself
an occasional exhibition of Free-thought, as when he
omitted to regard a fortunate escape from peril as a
special interposition of Providence ; and that he had
shown an absence of reserve, in dealing with matters which
the Grundys of the day thought should have been
marked with a specially thick veil. These things would

JOSEPH BANKS, ESQ.
From a mezzotint by Dickinson, after Sir J. Reynolds. Circa 1774

ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 31

now pass without notice, unless as the stalking-horse for
a little humour. Indeed, it would be difficult to find in
Hawkesworth's volumes the sources of complaint, unless
aided by taking down from dusty, musty shelves the
long-forgotten gibes. But they amounted to Disgrace,
with a man of finely sensitive temperament. He died
broken-hearted in November, 1773.

Cook's own journal has been edited in our own time,
in a manner suitable to an age which demands a scientific
performance of such work : by Captain J. L. Wharton,
R.N., Hydrographer to the Admiralty (London, 1893).

CHAPTER III

VISIT TO ICELAND. COOK'S SECOND
AND THIRD VOYAGES

i

preparations which Banks had made for a
second voyage to the South Seas were not
destined to be entirely in vain.

A Swedish clergyman was in England on a
travelling tour, Uno von Troil by name. He was inter-
ested in Scandinavian antiquities, and later came into
some eminence as Archbishop of Upsala. Having made
acquaintance with Banks, it was proposed that they visit
Iceland in company. The project was immediately
adopted. Measures were taken for its organization in
that profuse style in which Banks thought proper to
undertake a scientific excursion. A ship was chartered,
at a cost of £100 per month, and set sail on July 12, 1772,
with a company of forty persons. Banks's guests included
the inseparable Solander ; Dr. von Troil ; James Lind,
a rising young physician of Edinburgh, who was, besides,
an astronomer ; J. F. Miller, artist and engraver ; and
Lieutenant Gore, who had been with him in the Endeavour.
The party landed for two days in the Isle of Wight
(which von Troil calls a little paradise), proceeded to
Plymouth, and then made for the Western Islands of
Scotland. They were lying in the Sound of Mull early one
morning, near the seat of a Mr. Maclean, of Drumnen,
who, upon the accidental acquaintance, invited Mr. Banks
and his friends to breakfast. There was another English
gentleman, a Mr. Leach, present at the table, who
mentioned in course of conversation that there was an

32

VISIT TO ICELAND 33

island out in the open, nine leagues away, which he be-
lieved had scarcely ever been visited. The long-boat was
forthwith prepared, and a small tent and two days'
provisions were placed on board. The ship remained
near Tobermory, while her boat made its way to Staffa
with Banks and his friends. Thus was Staffa discovered,
and became a notoriety. Banks gave a very full account
of the island, including elaborate measurements, in his
journal : which von Troil made use of later, and which Mr.
Pennant copiously adopted in his Journey to the Highlands.

The party reached Bessestedr, in Iceland, on August 28,
and remained on shore for about a month. The itinerary
was (i) from Havnefiord to Heder Bay, (2) Laugarvatn,
(3) Mola, (4) Mola, (5) Skalholt, (6) Skard, (7) Graufell,
(8) Skard, (9) Straungiorde, (10) Reikjavik, (n) Havne-
fiord. Thus their tour embraced many of the most
remarkable features : Thingvalla gaa, the Geysers, Mount
Hekla, the Hvitaa, etc.1 Mr. Banks impressed the
islanders deeply with his personality. In after years they
had further reasons to be mindful of his high and generous
character. Solander and von Troil came in likewise for a
great deal of regard. Perhaps the liberal and almost
princely style of their travel had something to do with
this ; but it was the men of learning in the island who
displayed the most gratification with these visitors.
Several odes were composed in honour of Banks and his
friends. A great number of plants and other objects in
natural science were collected and brought home. Beside
the botanical treasures, their spoil included some Ice-
landic manuscripts which had been purchased by Banks.

Sir Joseph is one of the few travellers [? the first] who
have left record of the ascent of Mount Hekla : —

" We ascended Mount Hekla with the wind blowing
against us so violently that we could with difficulty

1 Solander MSS., N.H. Museum.

34 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

proceed. The frost, too, was lying upon the ground, and
the cold extremely severe. We were covered with ice
in such a manner that our clothes resembled buckram.
On reaching the summit of the first peak, we here and
there remarked places where the snow had been melted,
and a little heat was arising from them ; and it was by
one of these that we rested to observe the barometer,
which was 24°.838. Thermometer 27°. The water we
had with us was all frozen. Dr. Lind filled his wind
machine with warm water ; it rose to i°.6, and then
froze into spiculae, so that we could not make observations
any longer. We thought we had arrived at the highest
peak ; but soon saw one above us, to which we hastened.
Dr. Solander remained with an Icelander in the inter-
mediate valley ; the rest of us continued our route to the
summit of the peak, which we found intensely cold ;
but on the highest point was a spot of three yards in
breadth, whence there proceeded so much heat and
steam that we could not bear to sit down upon it."1

The journey, homeward, was taken leisurely. The party
wandered some time among the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland, and paid many visits. It was not until
November 19 that Banks left Edinburgh for London,
accompanied by Dr. Solander and Dr. Lind.

A party of " Esquimaux Indians " was in London in
1772-3. Banks, of course, went to meet them ; the
rather that he had missed seeing any when he was in
Labrador. The usual enthusiasm of Londoners for a

1 MS. Journal, quoted in W. J. Hooker, II, 116. It is very much to
be regretted that Banks's Journal of this time is missing, or lost. When
von Troil published Resa till Island [Upsala, 1777. Transl. by j. R.
Forster as Letters on Iceland : London, 1780] it was found not to be an
itinerary, but a series of letters or essays, describing the country and
some of the incidents of travel, but with scarce a date or locality
mentioned. There is a noticeable lack of allusion to Mr. Banks. One
welcome memorial of this trip, in Miller's drawings of plants, together
with coloured developments of his sketches by Thomas Burgis (1776), is
preserved in the Natural History Museum.

VISIT TO ICELAND 35

new show was displayed, and the Indians were exceedingly
popular. They had lodgings in Leicester Street ; and
were taken to see St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower
(as Cookists of the period). But they could not be made
to understand much ; London Bridge, for example,
they looked upon as an abnormal piece of rock. They
pined for their glaciers and their snow-fields. At length,
on the eve of sailing away from Plymouth, the two men
died from fever and the two wives and a child went home.

This episode brings into our pages a very interesting
and adventurous character : George Cartwright, author
of Journal of Transactions during a residence of sixteen
years in Labrador. Cartwright came from Nottingham-
shire. He was a gentleman cadet at Woolwich, one of
that class which does not learn its lessons, and is con-
sequently handicapped for life. He was in the East
Indies for a time, and later at the wars in Germany.
Poor, and evidently unthrifty, but fond of shooting and
sport, he drifted to Newfoundland, apparently for the
simple reason that his brother John was going thither,
as commander of the Guernsey, fifty guns. This was in
1765. He must have met Banks and Phipps during their
stay. He made six voyages out and home during his
sixteen years. It was on the second trip that he brought
the Indians to England. Cartwright appears to have been
under some money obligations to Banks, for there is an
expression of thanks in one of his letters for " giving him
time to discharge his bond." He sent a few curiosities
home to Banks, but speaks of them with apathy. He
never made a fortune, yet he doubtless enjoyed life
in his own way. A Hudson's Bay Company's post,
south from Hamilton Inlet, bears Cartwright's name to
this day. A portrait of him, in the costume of a trapper,
adorns the first volume of his Journal.

Cartwright's short letters to Banks are sufficiently dole-
ful. But the writing of his book seems to have made

36 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

him happy, particularly when Banks " expected both
entertainment and instruction " from the volume.

Banks went beyond the mere curiosity-hunters, as was
the way with him. The relations of the Eskimos with
other races formed the subject of erudite discussion
with his friends. Among his correspondents were
Dr. James Hutton, the geologist, a man who then was
leading the van in ethnographical inquiry ; and Dr.
William Robertson, the historian, who requests Banks
to entertain him with all the curious observations he has
made upon men in an early stage of culture ; and intro-
duces to his notice the novel speculations of Lord Mon-
boddo concerning the Simian ancestry of mankind.
Monboddo maintained that there were, in all likelihood,
existing races of men with rudimentary tails. Banks
appears to have treated his lucubrations with some
respect, and corresponded freely in an open-minded
way.1

In March, 1773, Banks was on a visit to Rotterdam, in
company with the Hon. Charles Greville. They attended
a meeting of the Batavian Society. Banks told them
of his wish to undertake a voyage toward the North Pole,
and desired that they would communicate with him
on the discoveries and observations that the Dutch
nation had already made, as far as 84° N. He promised
in return to furnish them with ample information con-
cerning the results of his trip.

This Dutch excursion was the means of adding several
good acquaintances to his circle.2 The visitors made
a profound impression upon their new friends. One
of them wrote afterward to Banks with some warmth :
" Your visit leaves a kind of sensation hard to describe.

1 Hist. MS 5. Com., VI, pp. 674, 678.

2 A Journal of this jaunt was among the Banks manuscripts dis-
persed at Sotheby's sale in 1886.

VISIT TO ICELAND 37

It is like the remembrance of a pleasing dream ; with
this difference, however, that it will not be transient/'

There was a trip to Wales in the ensuing summer.
Banks went in company with Solander and Dr. Blagden.
Light foot joined them at Chester ; a most industrious
botanist was he, wandering many miles about England
in pursuit of his favourite study. He had been with
Pennant on his tour to Scotland in 1772, who made him
" happy in his company, and himself agreeable to
the several families who honoured me with their hospi-
tality."

The fourth in this party was Charles Blagden, a young
Edinburgh physician, the junior of Banks by four or five
years, now at the beginning of a career as experimental
philosopher wliich brought him to some distinction.1
Blagden presently became closely intimate with Banks,
and was one of his most assiduous correspondents during
periods of absence. When at Revesby in the summer
Banks was thus kept in touch with what was going on in
town. Early in 1776 Blagden was appointed physician
to the forces sent to America. He wrote to Bank's fre-
quently, sending abundance of botanical and ornitho-
logical notes, and observations on Natural Science ;
besides shrewd remarks on the progress of the war,
and the hospital concerns that filled his professional time.
The length of his letters was prodigious, sometimes
extending to eight or ten folio pages, about birds and
quadrupeds and fishes. He sent large collections in
Natural History to England, some for Daines Barrington
and some for Banks. The former handed over these

1 " Talking of Dr. Blagden's copiousness and precision of com-
munication, Dr. Johnson said, ' Blagden, Sir, is a delightful fellow.' "
— Croker's Boswell (1860), p. 663.

This painstaking editor adds, from Hannah More's Memoirs, II, 98 :
" Doctor Blagden is so modest and so knowing that he exemplifies
Pope's line, ' Willing to teach, and yet too proud to know ' " (which is a
parody, of course, on " Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike ").

38 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

treasures to Sir Ashton Lever, after giving Banks the
opportunity of selecting from them.

Banks was elected into the Dilettanti Society in 1774,
and was Secretary from 1778 to 1797, a post he held
with "much satisfaction and advantage." The marbles
of the Society were kept in his custody at Soho Square.

After the death of the Founders, the prominent members
of the Society were Banks, Greville, Sir Wm. Hamilton,
Sir R. Worsley, Sir George Beaumont, Sir Henry Engle-
field, Charles Townley, R. Payne Knight. (Cust : History
of the Dilettanti Society.) There are two portrait groups
still in the possession of the Society, painted by Sir J.
Reynolds. One of these is reproduced on the adjoining
page.

A new friend of 1774 was the Rev. Sir John Cullum, of
Hardwick Hall, Suffolk, and Rector of Hawsted, of which
parish he wrote an excellent history. Sir John was one
of the many country parsons of the period against whom
some discredit has been aroused because they were not
" enthusiasts " (as the term was) ; but pursued the
honourable though lowly task of minding their flocks,
while not neglecting the mental culture without which
life was hardly worth living. The country was full of
good and hearty performance of duty, in a quiet way :
that way, indeed, which does not make notorious History,
but toward which we are beginning to take a more fervent
regard, as of simple annals which really concern the life
of man more than all the fussy acts of politicians and
soldiers. We should be the better and wiser for a more
intimate knowledge of some of these humbler careers,
the records of which lie buried in many a country house
or parsonage.

Sir John Cullum was becoming a good Botanist. He
certainly was enthusiastic over that. He rejoices to
find that Lord Herbert of Cherbury reckoned " Botan-
ique " among the qualifications of a gentleman ; "it

COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE 39

gives one a pleasure to find other persons, of whom we
entertain a good opinion, engaged in the same pursuits
as oneself."

From meeting Banks and Solander at the Museum,
a cordial acquaintance sprang up between them and
Cullum. Botanical letters went to and fro, and Sir John
was a devoted attendant in Banks's library. His circle
of botanical friends widened. Among others, Mr. Light-
foot met him, and became a frequent correspondent and
co-labourer in Science. Sir John Cullum presently
revealed to Banks his wish to join the Royal Society.
As the latter regarded him as an example of the man
who deserved such recognition of original research,
Sir John's nomination was promptly made.

Another new Fellow of the Royal Society about the
same time was Dr. Alexander Hunter, of York, who was
then preparing the fine edition of Evelyn's Silva, with
which his name has since been associated. It is likely
enough that this is one of the cases where Banks gave
financial assistance. Dr. Hunter's frequent consultations
and evident reliance on the judgment of Sir Joseph
justify this conclusion.

James Bruce, the African traveller, was a new acquaint-
ance early in 1774. A similarity of pursuits and inclina-
tions drew him and Banks together, and there was some
occasional correspondence between them which seems
to betoken very friendly relations.

The second expedition of Captain Cook had not been
heard of since Cook wrote from the Cape in 1772. Without
any actual fear existing as to the fate of the great seaman
after two years' absence, people were beginning to wish
earnestly for some news of the Expedition. The veil was
partially lifted on July 14, 1774, when one of the ships
arrived at Spithead.

The squadron, which consisted of the Resolution,
Captain Cook, and the Adventure, Captain Tobias

40 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Furneaux, had left Plymouth on July 13, 1772. The
objects they set out for were duly accomplished without
any serious disaster, excepting the loss of an Adventure's
boat, which fell into the hands of cannibals. Cook had
made a point of ascertaining if land existed in the far
South. As far as 71° S. the question was settled in the
negative. Visits were paid to New Zealand, Otaheite,
and other South Sea Islands, where they encountered
many old friends, and a few hostile " Indians." New
surveys were made, and a large accumulation was made
in furtherance of Natural Science. Forster wrote once to
Daines Barrington, to whom he reported 260 new plants
and animals. Others of the scientific side of the Expedi-
tion were, Wales, the astronomer and mathematician ;
William Bay ley, astronomer on the Adventure ; William
Anderson, the surgeon's mate ; who made their mark in
life. George Vancouver, a middy on the Resolution,
and Jarnes Burney, lieutenant of the Adventure, were also
heard of again with honour.1

More than once the Adventure was separated from her
consort. In the end Captain Furneaux thought proper
to make for home alone, and so reached England a year
in advance of the Resolution. Her arrival provided an

1 When the Resolution was at Otaheite, there were two concurrent
plots for staying there altogether and letting Cook get home how he
might. This story (hitherto unrecorded) is told by one of those con-
cerned. The writer has just heard of the mutiny of the Bounty :
" Something what Bligh's people did was designed by most of the
people of the Endeavour [this is a slip of memory] headed by Anderson
and Gray, I think. They were for remaining, which prevented two or
three gentlemen from doing so. When the scheme was discovered, the
only successful argument against it was getting a certain disease and
dying rotten ... it turned the scale ; otherwise Cook, with the two
superior messes must have found his way home had the ship been spared.
I was a ringleader among a few who had prepared for remaining." ( J. M.
Matra to Sir Joseph Banks, May 7, 1790. Addl. MSS., 33979/29.)

This Matra must be identified with Marr, or Marra, an Irishman (who
seems to have passed for a Dane) who joined the Endeavour at Batavia
in 1770, and went in the Resolution on Cook's second voyage, (v. A.
Kitson : Capt. James Cook, p. 205.) We shall hear again of this enter-
prising fellow.

COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE 4*

entirely new sensation, in the shape of a real live Otaheitan.
Furneaux had taken on board a young native chief, by
name Omai. When Cook reached England in the following
summer, he found Omai a darling of Society. Under the
auspices of Lord Sandwich and Mr. Banks, the untutored
one was received everywhere with gratification. It must
be said that Omai justified his entrance into the world
of Lords and Ladies by his natural dignity of manner,
and by his adaptability to some of the inevitable veneer-
ing. Polish cannot be acquired by the stupid ; and
Omai was far from that. As Miss Burney says, " his
manners are so extremely graceful, and he is so polite,
attentive, and easy, that you would have thought he
came from some foreign Court."1 Dr. Johnson was also
struck by his good manner, on meeting him at the
Streatham dinner-table.

This forgotten episode is often the subject of gossip
and pleasantry in the chronicles of the time. Fanny
Burney is very entertaining on the topic. The following
(unpublished) memorandum of Sir John Cullum is clear
and precise, and as good as anything that was ever printed
of Omai. And it is worth introducing here as an example
of the baronet's charming style. " (3 Dec., 1774). I
have had opportunity this week of being twice in company
with Omai, a native of Waietea, brought into England
this year ; of whom, from observation and enquiry, I
collected the following notices. He is about 30 years old,
rather tall and slender, with a genteel make ; his nose is
somewhat flat, and his lips thick, but on the whole
his face is not disagreeable. His ears are bored with a
large hole at the tip ; his complexion swarthy ; his hair
of considerable length, and perfectly black. The backs
of his hands are tattowed with transverse lines, and his
fingers with round ones ; the lines are not continuous,
but consist of distinct bluish spots ; his posteriors are

1 Early Diary of Frances Burney, I, 334 et seq.

42 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

the only other parts tattowed. He walks erect, and has
acquired a tolerably genteel Bow, and other expressions
of civility. He appears to have good natural parts ; has
learned a little English, and is in general desirous of
improvement. Particularly he wishes to learn to write,
which he says would on his return enable him to be of the
greatest benefit to his country. But I do not find that
any steps have been taken toward giving him any useful
knowledge ; Mr. Banks seeming to keep him as an object
of curiosity, to observe the workings of an untutored,
unenlightened mind. When he is serious, and observing
what others are saying, his Look is sharp and sensible,
but his Laugh is rather childish. When he wants you to
understand something he has seen, he uses very lively
and significant gestures ; and is in truth a most excellent
Pantomime. He is pleased (as many of more improved
understandings often are) with trifling amusements, and is
unhappy when he has nothing to entertain him. When I
dined with him, with the Royal Society, a small magnify-
ing glass had been newly put into his hands ; he was
perpetually pulling it out of his pocket, and looking at the
Candles etc. with excessive delight and admiration. We
all laughed at his simplicity, and yet probably the wisest
person present would have wondered as much, if that
knick-knack had then for the first time been presented
to him. He had seen Hail before he came into England,
and therefore was not much surprized at the first fall of
Snow, which he called, naturally enough, white Rain.
But he was prodigiously struck, when he first saw and
handled a piece of Ice ; and when he was told that it
was sometimes thick and strong enough to bear men,
and other great weights, he could scarcely be made to
believe it. He is entirely reconciled to the European
manners and customs. He conforms to our diet, which
he likes very well; and denies (against self-conviction)
that his countrymen eat human flesh. He drinks wine,

OMAI, THE OTAHE1TAX
From a mezzotint by Jacob i, after SirJ. Reynolds

COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE 43

but is not at all greedy of it ; and has never been intoxi-
cated since he was in England. He likes the English
women, particularly those of a ruddy complexion, that
are not fat. He submits most readily to the slightest
controul, and has not the least appearance of a fierce and
savage temper. I observed him play with a gentleman
who sat by him, and encouraged him, with all the cheerful
and unsuspecting good-nature of childhood. The King,
with much humanity, ordered him to be inoculated for the
small-pox, last summer, at his own expense. The fine
print of him, engraven by Bartolozzi, from a drawing by
Dance, is extremely like him."

The Rev. Michael Tyson,1 at Cambridge, saw a good
deal of Omai. He says : " There was an openness of
countenance, and a native politeness, that would do
honour to an Englishman. . . . The Bishop of Lincoln
[John Green] was much in his company, and he found the
two leading principles of his mind were a regard for
Religion and a desire for Revenge. He was particularly
offended at the Bishop sitting at table between two
ladies : a custom not allowed the High Priests in his
country ! "

As Banks was absent with a yachting party — which
perhaps included Captain Phipps, Omai, Miss Ray,2

1 Afterward Rector of Lambourn, Essex ; another clergyman of the
same type. He was a botanist and a scholar, beside being a good
parish priest. Sir John Cullum said he was far the best correspondent
he ever had : and they were numerous.

2 This is Martha Ray, whose unlicensed union with Lord Sandwich
was tolerated by his friends because of her amiable character and her
charming behaviour in society. Some men ventured to insult her
covertly, but they were few in number. A bishop's lady, present at one
of their parties, avowed her regret that she had sat opposite to Miss Ray,
but found it " improper " to notice her : " she was so assiduous to
please, was so very excellent, yet so unassuming, I was quite charmed
with her, yet a seeming cruelty to her took off the pleasure of my
evening " (Joseph Cradock, Memoirs, IV, 168). Cradock himself writes
always in her praise. Banks and his friends were happy enough in her
company. Lord Sandwich was a better man for the association.

Miss Ray was murdered at the theatre one evening, by a rejected
admirer, James Hackman. The culprit appealed to Lord Sandwich for

44 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

and for part of the time, Lord Sandwich — he was not at
hand with his congratulations when the Resolution
came into port.

Daniel Solander to Joseph Banks.

" London, August, 1775. . . . This moment Cook is
arrived. I have not yet had an opportunity of conversing
with him, as he is in the Board-room. Give my compli-
ments to Miss Ray, and tell her I have made a visitation to
the birds, and found them well.

"... Captain Cook desires his best compliments to you.
He said nothing could have added to the satisfaction he
has had in making the Tour, but having had your com-
pany."

" London, August 14, 1775. My dear Sir, an expedition
down to the Resolution made yesterday quite a feast to all
concerned. We set out early from the Tower, reviewed
some of the Transports, visited Deptford Yard, went on
board the Experiment ; afterwards to Woolwich, where
we took on board Miss Ray and company, and then
proceeded to the gallions ; where we were welcomed on
board the Resolution, and Lord Sandwich made many
of them quite happy. ... All our friends look as well as
if they had been all the while in clover. All enquired after
you. In fact, we had a glorious day, and longed for
nothing but you and Mr. Omai.

" Lord Sandwich asked the officers afterwards to dine
with us at Woolwich. I had not much time to see the
curious collections. Mr. Anderson, one of the surgeon's
mates, has made a good botanical collection. On board
are three live Otaheite dogs, ugly and stupid ; a spring-
pardon, and not in vain. Sandwich sent word to him that "as he
looked upon his action as an act of frenzy he forgave it ; that he
regarded the stroke as coming from Providence, which he ought to
submit to ; but that he had robb'd him of all comfort in the world." —
Delany: Autob. and Corresp., IV, 424.

COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE 45

bok from the Cape ; a Surikate, two Eagles, and several
small birds. My be&t compliments to Captain Phipps,
August, and Omai."

All this looks as if Mr. Banks was, at present, keeping
aloof from the circumnavigators. There was a dinner at
Greenwich with Dr. Maskelyne, on September 5. The
company included Solander, Captain Cook, Sir John
Pringle, General Roy, and others. (" Company of Banks
and Captain Phipps much wished for.")

Daniel Solander to Joseph Banks.

" London, August 21, 1775. My dear Sir, Mr. Harlock
has sent to your house the plants I mentioned in my last
letter. They are collected near Tranquebar by the
Brethren of the Moravians, and as good specimens as I
have seen. . . . Several of the Resolution's men have
called at your house, to offer you their curiosities. Tyrrell
was here this morning. . . . Captain Cook has sent all
his curiosities to my apartments at the Museum. All
the shells are to go to Lord Bristol. Four casks have your
name on them, and I understand they contain Birds and
Fish, etc."

John Man to Joseph Banks.

" from on board H.M.S. Resolution, 1775.

" Begging pardon for my Boldness. I take this oppor-
tunity for acquainting your Honour of our arrival.
After a long and tedious Voyage. Having met with extra-
ordinary good success to the S'd and elsewhere, from many
strange Isles I have procured your Honour a few curi-
osities as good as could be expected from a person of my
capacity. Together with a small assortment of shells.
Such as was esteem'd by pretended Judges of Shells. We
have many experimental men in our ship that pretend
to know. What was never known. Nor yet never will be
known. I have something extraordinary to relate to your

46 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Honour. But. A good opportunity will soon offer I hope.
Depend upon it, Sir, I shall Take special care of Sending
the above mention'd articles. When in order and an
opportunity serves.

" Interim I remain your very Hble. Servt."

The yachting excursion above mentioned was not the
only one taken this summer. Banks formed one of a
party to a jaunt in Yorkshire among the Cleveland hills ;
the story of which is narrated by that fine anecdotist
George Colman the younger. The travellers were
Captain Phipps ; his youngest brother Augustus, a boy
of Colman's own age (i.e. about thirteen) ; the elder
Mr. Colman and his son ; Mr. Banks, and Omai, of the
Friendly Isles. The three seniors were intimate friends.

They started from York in Banks's carriage, " as huge
and heavy as a broad- wheeled wagon," though but just
large enough to contain the six passengers and their
abundant luggage. The books of Captain Phipps, who
was afterwards to make a stay at Mulgrave, and his
boxes and cases crammed with nautical lore ; maps,
charts, quadrants, telescopes, were put in, like stores
for a long voyage. Banks's stowage was still more for-
midable. He travelled with trunks containing volumin-
ous specimens of his hortus siccus in whity-brown paper,
and large receptacles for further accumulation of vegetable
materials. The vehicle had other characteristic encum-
brances. One of these was " a remarkably heavy safety-
chain — a drag-chain upon a newly-constructed principle,
to obviate the possibility of danger in going down a hill :
which snapped short, however, in our very first descent,
whereby the carriage ran over the post-boy who drove
the wheelers, and the chain of safety nearly crushed him
to death." There was, besides, a " hippopedometer,"
by which a traveller might ascertain the precise rate
at which he was going, in the moment of his consulting it.

COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE 47

" This also broke in the first ten miles of our journey,
whereat the Philosopher to whom it belonged was the
only person who lost his Philosophy." Their progress
was much retarded by Banks's indefatigable botanizing :
" We never saw a tree with an unusual branch, or a strange
weed, or anything singular in the vegetable world, but a
halt was immediately ordered : out jumped Mr. Banks,
out jumped the boys and the Otaheitan . . . many
articles, all a-blowing, all a-growing, which seemed to me
no better than thistles, and which would not have sold for
a farthing in Co vent Garden Market, were pulled up by the
roots, and stowed carefully in the coach as rareties."

Arriving at Scarborough, young Colman saw the sea
for the first time. He was making his maiden plunge
from a bathing-machine, when Omai appeared before
him, wading. " The early sunbeams shot their lustre
upon the tawny Otaheitan and heightened the cutaneous
gloss which he had already received from the water.
He looked like a specimen of pale moving mahogany
highly varnished — tattowed with striped arches, brown
and black, according to the fashion of his country.
He hailed me with the salutation of Tosh / which was his
pronunciation of George,"1 and proposed to take a swim
with George on his back. The boy consented, and was
delighted with the result. " I made my way as smoothly
as Arion upon his Dolphin. I could not indeed touch the
Lyre, nor had I any musical instrument to play upon,
unless it were the comb which Omai carried in one hand,
and which he used while swimming to adjust his harsh
black locks hanging in profusion over his shoulders. . . .
My father looked a little grave at my having been so
venturous. The noble Captain and the Philosopher
laughed heartily, and called me a tough little fellow ;
and Omai and I henceforth were constant companions."

1 Omai's address to the King, on being introduced by Lord Sand-
wich, was " How do King Tosh ! " (Note by R. B. Peake.)

48 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

The party presently stayed at Mulgrave Hall. A spirit
of active research predominated over all the amusements,
inspired by the two leading members of the party.
Botany and opening ancient barrows were the chief
objects. Banks put the two boys into active training as
botanists, and sent them out early in the morning to the
woods to gather plants. " We could not easily have met
with an abler master. Although it was somewhat early
for us to turn natural philosophers, the novelty of the
thing, and rambling through wild sylvan tracts of pecu-
liarly romantic beauty, counteracted all notions of
studious drudgery, and turned science into a sport. We
were prepared over-night for those morning excursions
by Sir Joseph. He explained to us the rudiments of the
Linnean System, in a series of nightly Lectures, which
were very short, clear, and familiar ; the first of which he
illustrated by cutting up a cauliflower."1

After leaving Mulgrave Hall the party went on to
Skelton Castle. In the adjacent village of Kirkleatham
there lived the father of Captain Cook, who excited much
interest in his visitors. " His looks were venerable from
his great age ; and his deportment was above that which
is usually found among the lowly inhabitants of a hamlet.
. . . His eightieth year had nearly passed away, and only
two or three years previously he had learned to read,
that he might gratify a parent's pride and love by
perusing his son's first voyage round the world."2

The return of Captain Cook from his second voyage
round the world was honoured in no niggardly way.
To the general public he was a hero, a seaman who was
carrying forward the best traditions of his profession.
The Admiralty officials were not less sensible of his value
to the service. The Royal Society admitted him to the
Fellowship, and listened eagerly to his paper read before

1 R. B. Peake : Memoirs of the Colman Family, I, 355, etc.

2 Random Records, by George Colman the younger, I, 202.

COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE 49

the Society, in which he detailed the measures taken to
secure the health of his crew and the success with which
he had fought the demon Scurvy. For this paper, more-
over, the Royal Society awarded the Copley medal, on an
occasion marked with considerable enthusiasm by the
members present.1

It soon became clear that the British Government
were anticipating Cook's second return, only to send
him forth on a still more important voyage, viz. the
possible discovery of the North-west passage to India.

Banks does not appear to have had much direct concern
with the new project, beyond friendly consultative talks
at the bidding of Lord Sandwich. Yet his personal in-
terest in the affair was extensive, for most of the officers,
including Cook himself, were to some extent intimates of
Banks. Cook accepted the commission without hesitation.
There was William Bligh on board as Master. Lieu-
tenant James Burney, Lieutenant Clerke, Molesworth
Phillips, lieutenant of marines, Dr. William Anderson the
surgeon, who acted as naturalist,2 and others who had
proved very creditably their promise of capacity for the
arduous service in view. Also a Kew gardener, David
Nelson byname, was taken on board at the instance of Banks.

The ships, Resolution and Discovery, got away in July,
1776. Letters dated November, from the Cape of Good
Hope, reached Banks from Dr. Anderson and from
Captain Cook.3 They were never again in touch with

1 " If Rome (said the President, addressing his fellow-members)
decreed the Civic Crown to him who saved the life of a single citizen,
what wreaths are due to that man who, having himself saved many,
perpetuates in your ' Transactions ' the means by which Britain may
now, on the most distant voyages, preserve numbers of her intrepid sona,
her mariners : who, braving every danger, have so liberally contributed to
the fame, to the opulence, and to the maritime empire of their country."

2 According to Cuvier, Captain Cook had refused to take with him
an independent professional Naturalist. — v. £loge on Sir J. Banks.

3 After all, the old Resolution seems to have been a matter of grave
concern to the captain. He writes : " If I return in the Resolution, the
next trip I may venture in a ship built of gingerbread."

50 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

civilization until May, 1779, when they enjoyed the
hospitalities of the Russian Governor at Kamtchatka,
Soon the news reached England of the death of Captain
Cook : " murdered by the Indians of an island where
he had been treated if possible with more hospitality
than at Otaheite," according to Clerke's dispatches
homeward, dated January, 1780.

Lieutenant Clerke, also, did not live to see again
his native land. He wrote to Banks (August, 1779)
saying that his health was broken, and that his " stay
in this world must be of very short duration " ; and
that he recommended certain of his shipmates to Banks's
notice as deserving of his protection in case of need.
Clerke subscribes himself " your devoted, affectionate,
departing servant." He died a few days after this ;
one of the very numerous men who had been strongly
attracted by Banks's personality.

Clerke's dispatches reached Lord Sandwich early in
1780. He was inexpressibly shocked at learning the
fate of his commander, and hastened to Banks to distress
him in turn. Alike among their friends, the naval service
and the scientific world, the news of Cook's death caused
an outburst of genuine feeling. Even beyond the con-
fines of his island home there were thousands to regret
his loss. The French people particularly recognized his
merits ; and they have never ceased to honour his memory.
The British Government placed his widow beyond the
risk of want by granting her a pension ; which, by the
way, she enjoyed for the long period of fifty-five years.
The Royal Society determined that special honour should
be paid, on occasion of this tragic loss of one of their more
distinguished members ; a medal was struck bearing a
profile of Captain Cook and a reverse of Britannia pointing
toward the South Pole. The subscription toward the
expense of this was so generous that the thing was done
in most noble fashion. Fourteen gold, two hundred and

COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE 51

eighty-nine silver, and five hundred bronze medals were
struck for distribution.

The activity of editors and booksellers was naturally
stimulated by the return of the circumnavigators. This
third Expedition promised to be of certainly not inferior
interest. As it happened, there were startling novelties
about it ; and the tragic fate of the Commander was so
unexpected and so grievous that the whole nation took it
to heart. People had formed a high notion of Cook's
character. He was persevering and full of resource ; a
first-class seaman and nautical surveyor ; a strict dis-
ciplinarian ; he kept watch over the health and morals of
his subordinates ; and his uniform success in dealing with
savage people, and making friends with them, cannot be
said to have been broken in the final catastrophe. Hence
the honour paid to his memory, and the general wish to
know all the proceedings of the last years of his life.

The official account of this last voyage was put into
capable hands. Lord Sandwich and Mr. Banks were
minded to have the thing well done, and they personally
superintended during its preparation. Even George III
was called into consultation. Dr. John Douglas (after-
wards Bishop of Salisbury) took the literary part of the
work, while Captains Gore and King and Lieutenant
Burney contributed their journals and their personal
recollections.1

The result was a fine book in three volumes, which,
however, did not appear until 1784. The profits of its

1 In the MS. Dept. of the British Museum (Addl. 8955) is a tran-
script of Burney 's Journal, written in a microscopic hand and enclosed
in a tiny case ; the weight of the paper only half an ounce. A memo-
randum on the enclosure states that, " On the arrival of the Resolution
and Discovery in Macao Roads, we learnt that Great Britain was at war
with France and with the North American States, which gave us some
apprehension of being captured on our passage homeward ; and in such
event that we should lose our journals. Under this apprehension, I
made a copy of my journal on China paper, in so small a compass as to
be easily concealable ; that if bereft of our journals there might be one
saved for the Admiralty."

52 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

sale were very great, and Mrs. Cook's share provided her
with a fair annuity.

Meanwhile, one year after another discovered a new
candidate for the honours attaching to the story. Ellis,
the surgeon, produced the earliest. He was an artist
also, and his drawings made excellent illustrations.
As it is written well, and it probably had a good vogue
as the first published account of the voyage, it ought
to have been a more profitable venture than it was.
Only there was the poor bookseller to be considered.

It appears that Banks had duly befriended Ellis
(on Lieutenant Clerke's suggestion), and had advanced
him money. For some reason or other, perhaps because
he had imprudently run to a publisher without consulting
Banks, Ellis found himself compelled to offer apologies
and regrets. He was very poor, and, " full of expectation,
called upon the bookseller." After much haggling, he
consented to take fifty guineas — the only alternative
being " half profits." His very long letter to Banks
is an explanatory apology, upon " hearing " that he has
incurred his displeasure. It is very sad to read, and too
long to print here. But Banks's reply is really deserving
the reader's attention, especially the last paragraph.

Sir Joseph Banks to W. W. Ellis.

" SOHO SQUARE, January 23, 1782.

" SIR, — I received yours, and am sorry you have
engaged in so imprudent a business as the publication
of your Observations.

" From my situation, and connexion with the Board of
Admiralty, from whence only I could have hoped to have
served you, I fear it will not in future be in my power
to do what it might have been, had you asked and
followed my advice.

" Your note of hand, which is in my possession, I am

COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE 53

ready to deliver up to you, and to pay you £30 more on
account of your drawings, which I value at £50, whenever
you choose to consent to give me a receipt for that sum
as their price ; as I do not think it proper to insist upon
the right to them which I derive from your having made
me a present of them, or while your circumstances are
so much confined.

" The only service you could do me would be by enter-
ing into a plan to revenge yourself of the bookseller for
his Judaic treatment. If you would heartily join in it I
would assist. Your humble servant," etc.

About this time there appeared at Berne (in French)
and at Gottingen (in German) Voyage autour du monde
avec le Capitaine Cook, par Henri Zimmermann. There
is no copy in the British Museum. But the title appears
in Boucher's List. It is a curiosity, because the name
does not occur anywhere except in a letter from the
Rev. Michael Lort to Rev. George Ashby (May 4, 1784),
yet ought to be of great interest :

" When abroad last summer I bought a French account
of the voyage by one Zimmermann, a Swiss who was on
board the whole time. Sir Joseph Banks, to whom I lent
it, was much pleased with it, and told me it contained
some curious particulars not in the larger work."

John Ledyard followed, with a Journal of Captain
Cook's last voyage to the Pacific Ocean, published at Hart-
ford, Connecticut, 1783.

David Samwell, surgeon of the Discovery, essayed a
description of the last voyage ; but only part of it was
published : A Narrative of the Death of Captain Cook. . . .
London, 1786. The remainder of the work is still in MS.
(Egerton MSS., 2591.)

Lastly, there is an unpublished MS. in the British
Museum of A Journal of a voyage undertaken to the South
Seas on Discoveries, by His Majesty's Ships " Resolution "

54 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

and " Discovery" Captain James Cook and Charles Clerke,
Esq., commanders. Kept by Thomas Edgar, Master.

This story is preceded by an account of the ship
Resolution ; how it was built at Whitby, and was a year
and a half old when bought into the service in 1776.
(Additional MSS., 37528.)

George Forster was commissioned to do the German
translation. He was now at Cassel, having found a
respectable Professorship, which afforded much better
prospects than he seemed able to get in England.
Although he had returned to the Fatherland, Forster
was greatly attached to this country. He wished to
honour its people to the best of his power. From his
correspondence it is clear that Banks appreciated all this,
and continued a fast friendship with a man of real merit.
He sent to Forster early sheets of Dr. Douglas's book.
In the event, a good German story was produced, which
was as popular, perhaps, in the Fatherland as the topic
was on this side of the water. Though Germany at that
time had few or no sailors, they frankly appreciated the
great credit that Englishmen were deriving from the
exploits of their seamen. Forster mentions, under date
January 10, 1781, that he had a very ample detail of the
late voyage, from the mouths of two Germans who made
the voyage as common sailors.

CHAPTER IV
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY

f "^HE President of the Royal Society, at the
beginning of the year 1778, was Sir John
Pringle, M.D.

-M~ Dr. Pringle was from Roxburghshire, born

in 1707, educated at St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and
Ley den. He settled in practice at Edinburgh, became
Professor of Moral Philosophy, and soon attained a
high reputation. In 1742 a new career opened for him,
in serving as Physician with the British Army. For three
years he was in attendance on the hospitals in Flanders.
He was present at the battle of Dettingen, and saw
more or less of constant military service until 1749, when
affairs permitted him to establish himself in London.
He had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in
1745 \ read several papers which were printed in the
Transactions; and in 1753 became a member of the
Council. He was now at the top of his profession, and
due honours fell upon him. He was made a Baronet, and
appointed physician to King George III ; and in Novem-
ber, 1772, attained the distinction of being elected to the
Presidency of the Royal Society.

After six years, during which he continuously upheld
the dignity and the traditions of the Society, Dr. Pringle's
health began to fail. He was now over seventy years of
age, and felt it was time to let the controlling affairs
pass into younger hands. At the anniversary meeting
of 1778, he announced that his time was come for retiring.

55

56 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Blessed with a very wide circle of friends, he was enabled
to enjoy his few remaining years in comfort and honour,
and still contributing to the promotion of Science. He
died in 1782.

Several names were mentioned of possible successors
to Sir John Pringle. Others beside that of Banks
had the honour of being included among them. As time
went on, it was apparent that the only serious candida-
ture beside that of Banks was on the part of the friends of
Mr. Alexander Aubert, a wealthy merchant, and a
very active member of the Society, elected in 1772.
It was afterwards asked " what Mr. Aubert had done,"
a question, however, that has often been put under
similar circumstances, concerning men superlatively
active in good work yet disinclined to seek public renown.
Aubert was best known in the scientific world as an
astronomer. cHe built three observatories : one at his
house in Austin Friars, another at his residence at
Highbury, and a third near Lewisham. And, from casual
references to him, it is quite clear that he was a greatly
respected man in scientific circles, genial and hospitable
in private life, and an important member of the Royal
Society.

Dr. Solander to Sir Joseph Banks.

" LONDON, August n, 1778.

" MY DEAR SIR, — This morning Mr. Planta told me that
Sir John Pringle has certainly declared that he intends
to resign ; and Mr. Cavendish says that Sir John has
mentioned it at the Mitre. It is true that he has given
hints about Mr. Aubert, but all look to you. Dr. Pitcairne
and others have desired me to tell you that."

Mr. Weld says (History of the Royal Society) that a
general opinion prevailed that no one was better qualified
to occupy the vacant chair than Mr. Banks. It would

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 57

seem, from this note of Dr. Solander, that the opinion
was prompt and spontaneous, as it is given so early after
Dr. Pringle's announcement. By the time, however,
that the opening of the winter session approached,
several other names had been suggested for the vacancy.
There was arisen an anti-Banks party among Dr. Pringle's
friends ; and it appeared there would actually be a
contest for the vacant Chair. Banks wrote to Richard
Gough, November 23, asking his assistance in the candida-
ture,1 and doubtless thought proper, once a point of
rivalry being admitted, to urge his personal friends to
give him their support. There can be no doubt, the
question having been raised so largely in his favour, that
Banks would be inclined to believe it a laudable ambition
to succeed Dr. Pringle. For a masterful spirit like his,
that inclination would soon resolve itself into an opinion
that the Society could not do better than choose him,
since so many of the members were in favour of the idea.

Sir John Cullum to Rev. Michael Tyson.

" December 7, 1778.

" Mr. Banks was elected President, unanimously to
appearance by 220 votes.

" There were 127 of us at dinner, among whom were
several of the Nobility. The dinner was late, owing
to the new President, who waited for the declaration of
the new Secretary, which was Mr. Maty, by a majority
of two to one. . . . The President came in a great hurry,
quite out of breath, and sitting down (I was opposite
to him) said with good humour, but with rather too little
dignity : ' I believe never did a President of the Royal
Society run so fast before.' However, his behaviour
throughout was very proper. ..."

1 Nichols : Lit. Illus., IV, 693.

58 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

It soon came to be seen that the right man had been
chosen. A good-natured autocrat was wanted. The
unique position occupied by the Royal Society required a
system of government calculated to preserve its authority
in matters of Science. None could fulfil the duties of
President but one already popular from his known
character ; and the authority of the Society happily
blended with the authoritative masterfulness of Banks.
It was a triumph of the " one man " system. All over
Europe the Society now became scarcely distinguishable
from its President. There was an internecine disturbance,
in the year 1784, to which reference will presently be
made, which only made Banks's position firmer ; and
from that time to the day of his death his personality
was overwhelming. Not that he was overbearing (al-
though one might think differently who consulted the
caricaturists, and the unhappy sufferers from envy) ;
on the contrary, there was no rule asserted, neither was
any refusal given, except in terms of perfect courtesy.
There will be plenty of evidence to this effect in some
of the occasional letters included in the following pages.

The Royal Society was now become a venerable
National institution. During a career of eighty years
or more a system of recording the experiments, and the
philosophical speculations, of its members had been
followed, which resulted in placing every branch of
National Science on an intelligible footing. At the period
of the foundation of the Society, any organized scientific
pursuit was almost unknown. The lover of philosophical
experiment performed his labours in the dark ; unless he
cared to run the hazard of persecution, public or private.
The power of ecclesiastical censure lingered in a subdued
form long after the Churches had become professedly free.
Nature and her latent powers were tabu, as matters of
inquiry, and every manifestation of unwonted sort re-
mained the object of superstition and credulity.

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 59

It was during the fifth and sixth decades of the seven-
teenth century, when extremest licence of thought was
permissible if only it were shielded from exposure and
controversy, that intelligent men sought freedom from
the vexatious troubles of the time by engaging in scientific
inquiry. As Dr. Whewell finely says : " There arose
about this time a group of philosophers, who began to
knock at the door where Truth was to be found." l After
the Restoration, the numbers of these pioneers increased.
Their meetings were frequent, and well-attended. On
July 15, 1662, a Royal Charter was granted them, con-
stituting them a body corporate as the Royal Society.
The King himself was a devoted patron ; his office was
not purely nominal, for he took an active and often
sagacious part in the proceedings. He was elected a
Fellow on January 9, 1665, being one hundred and
seventy-first on the roll.

" The business and design " of the Society is the subject
of a quaint document still in preservation at the British
Museum.2 It is too long to quote here in full. But the
gist of it is fairly well contained in these two sentences :

:t To improve the knowledge of naturall things, and all
useful Arts, Manufactures, Mechanick practises, Engynes
and Inventions by Experiments (not meddling with
Divinity, Metaphysics, Moralls, Politicks, Grammar,
Rhetorick, or Logick)." " In order to the compiling of a
complete system of solid Philosophy for explicating all
Phenomena produced by Nature or Art, and recording a
rationall account of the causes of things."

On such safe basis the Society began its useful labours ;
and to these principles it has unswervingly adhered to the
present day.

Animal and vegetable physiology were the most
attractive subjects to people of an inquiring turn of mind.
Hence the earlier Transactions are largely occupied

1 History of the Inductive Sciences, II, 145. 2 Addl. MSS., 4441.

60 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

by these and allied topics; as Anatomy and Medicine,
Zoology, Agriculture, and Systematic Botany. Mineralogy,
and the unaccountable lusus natures, which later led to
systematic Geology, came into prominence from the first.
The Mathematical Sciences, with optics and astronomy,
occupied the minds of a large section of inquirers. Elec-
tricity and magnetism had a few students and observers
soon after the opening of the eighteeenth century.
Chemistry came later to the front. Not all these things
were gone through without much stumbling. But there
was little that was done that did not manifest zeal and
earnestness, and a sound belief in the destiny of the
Society.

So, in eighty years of assiduity, and real love for their
labours, the members of the Royal Society had founded
systems in every branch of cotemporary Science. They
had set a basis for further study which was of incalculable
value. The Society had attained a world-wide fame,
which attracted the most illustrious European physicists
and naturalists to its fold. Its stability was perfect ; a
circumstance unquestionably due to adherence to its
own first principles.

Mr. Pennant was one of the earliest among distant
friends who sent congratulations to Banks on his acces-
sion to the Chair of the Royal Society. He writes warmly
from Downing (December 14) to this effect ; and pro-
ceeds with, " Let me add my wishes that something like
Natural History may appear under your auspices in the
annual productions of the Society."

The following extract concerns us as evidence of the
notoriety of Banks's name all over Europe. The writer
is Jean H. de Magellan, a gentleman whose residence
alternated in Paris and London. He was a genuine pro-
duct of the eighteenth century. He had been a monk,
but a studious one ; and an ever-opening mind forced
him to reject the monastic career. He delighted in asso-

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 61

dating with scientific men ; and being a good linguist,
and having travelled over Europe as a tutor, was well
equipped for such company. His work lay chiefly in
perfecting optical and mathematical instruments. Having
joined the Royal Society in 1774, he proved a very useful
member. Magellan writes (December 28) : " . . . I have
received many congratulations from my friends abroad,
on account of your election of President, and particularly
from Messrs. Mann, Needham, Baron de Poederle, etc.
This last came to London together with the late Duke
of Arenberg, and I accompanied them to your house in
Burlington Street, a little after your circumnavigation
with Captain Cook. You made a present of various
curiosities to the Duke, which he deposited in the cabinet
of Prince Charles at Bruxelles. The following are the
words of the first, viz. Mr. Mann : ' Notwithstanding my
sincere regard and respect for Sir John Pringle, whose
civilities to me in London I shall never forget, I must own
that Mr. Banks 's election to that Illustrious Chair gave
me the most sensible pleasure and satisfaction. I esteem
him, and love him from my heart, and in return he
honours me with a particular friendship, which I will do
my best to cultivate. His character and great celebrity
will do honour to the Society.' '

Sir William Hamilton to Joseph Banks.

" CASERTA, February 9, 1779.

" DEAR BANKS, — I have been these two months in pur-
suit of Boars, Wolves, Foxes, Ducks, Woodcocks, and
Snipe, with His Sicilian Majesty. The sum total of the
chase in last month is really frightful : 6922 pieces. The
King is the coolest and best shot I ever knew.

' Your election to the Presidency of the Royal Society
gives universal satisfaction, and me a very particular
one, Mr. President.

62 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

"... I have sent Solander a collection of corals for
our Museum. There are duplicates of many, which he
may give to you if they should be curious and worth your
acceptance."

Writing again (March 23), Sir William relates some
more sporting scenes, with enormous bags ; and adds the
following : " Yesterday the King of Naples sent a
spaniel puppy of about four months old to shew me as
a curiosity. Out of the pupil or centre, of his left eye
grows a tuft of soft hair like that of his body ; about an
inch long, and it seems to be destroying the sight, which is
much impaired. As I never saw or heard of anything
of the kind I thought, Mr. President, it was my duty to
communicate this phenomenon to you."

Banks was married in March, 1779. The lady was
Dorothea, eldest daughter of William Western Hugessen,
Esq., of Provender, in Norton, Kent.1

Banks had taken the large house in Soho Square, which
remained his principal residence for the rest of his life,
in the autumn of 1777. 2 It was become the resort of all
persons, and all classes of students, who shared with
Banks those philanthropic principles which aimed at
ameliorating the lot of Humanity by endeavours to dis-
perse the mists of Ignorance. Every one was welcome
who, by improvements in the Arts or by further un-
ravelling the secrets of Nature, had any scheme for
the benefit of his fellow-men. Young authors were wel-
come who wished to consult the splendid library.

1 Rev. Sir John Cullum to Rev. George A shby : —

"May 22, 1 779. . . . Yesterday morning I took a breakfast with Mr.
Banks, who told me he was always glad to see his friends at that meal.
And when can one see him so well ? For after breakfast he retires into
his study with those that please to attend him ; where those who are
likely to visit him will meet with ample entertainment. His wife is a
comely and modest Young Lady.

" Solander was particularly cheerful and talkative."

2 No. 32, Soho Square, now occupied as a Hospital.

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 63

Foreigners and strangers were welcome ; and although
suitable introductions were rigidly exacted, these helped
to swell the crowd of inquiring visitors. The house was
a vast museum ; in which books, pictures, rarities from
all parts of the world, and innumerable botanical speci-
mens, delighted the varied company, and gave magical
effect to Banks's frequent soirees and less formal gather-
ings. Over all these things Dr. Solander reigned as
Librarian and Curator ; while Banks 's sister, who was
devoted to him, had been mistress of the house. Miss
Banks was quite a lady of fashion at this time.

Two years later, in March, 1781, Banks was honoured
by the King with a baronetcy.

Among the crowd of persons that thronged the rooms
at Soho Square at this period was William Herschel. He
was known to a few friends as a man devoted to Science.
He had already contributed papers to the Philosophical
Transactions. The discovery of the planet which was at
first called Georgium Sidus, and his application to the
improvement of telescopes, suddenly and dramatically
put him into " the full blaze of fame." Herschel was of
a singularly modest disposition ; and his researches
would have been hampered through pecuniary difficulty
but for the generosity of his fellow-philosophers. Hornsby
and Maskelyne, and the other astronomers, far from dis-
playing jealousy, recognized Herschel' s merit and lent
themselves to the support of his claims for distinction.
Dr. William Watson, his neighbour at Bath, wrote to
Sir Joseph Banks enthusiastically in praise of the man
and of his new telescope ; and further urged that, as the
King had heard of him and was deeply interested in the
new discoveries, some appointment at Court would be
a suitable way of helping Herschel ; thus providing him
with an income which would make up for the loss of that
which he had earned in his musical profession.

Thus prompted, Banks forthwith determined to use

64 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

his personal influence with the King. It was here that
Sir Joseph was often so helpful when there was a meri-
torious object in view. George III had acquired much
faith in Banks's judgment generally, and was now an
intimate friend, prepared to accept his counsel in all
matters of scientific advancement. His Majesty readily
found excuse for granting Herschel an appointment worth
two hundred pounds a year. The astronomer was
presently received at Court, and had the delight of
showing his newest instruments to the assembled Royal
Family. A long and close friendship continued between
Banks and Herschel.1

The circle -in Soho Square was rudely broken one
morning in the spring of 1782. Dr. Solander was seized
with paralysis just after breakfast, while in conversa-
tion with Blagden. The best physicians were speedily at
hand, while Lady Banks made immediate provision for
him to remain in the house. " You may judge of the
affliction of every one here," writes Dr. Blagden to Sir
Joseph. All the efforts made for the patient were in vain,
and he died in the course of a few days.

The death of Solander was a serious loss to the Banks
coterie. He made friends with all. His habitual presence
among the company to be seen in Soho Square gave
lustre to the scene, alike in his attractive disposition and
in the graces of learning and intelligence. Not only was
he Banks's right-hand man in his scientific work, but,
from the day when Banks invited Solander to go round
the world with him, they had been bound in firmest
friendship. And he was always acceptable in good

1 Fanny Burney found Herschel a constant charm. He was often
in her tea-room at Windsor, with Dr. Lind and others of her little circle.
He was " openly happy in the success of his studies " ..." a delightful
man ; so unassuming with his great knowledge, so willing to dispense it
to the ignorant, and so cheerful and easy in his genial manner." He
could play sweetly on the violin, and vary his entertainment by "shew-
ing me some of his new-discovered universes." Some pleasant glimpses
of Sir William Herschel are to be found in Madam D'Arblay's Diary.

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 65

society. Samuel Johnson found much pleasant resource
in Solander's company ; and the great man's more
fashionable friends, too, made him very welcome.

Daniel Carl Solander was a friend and pupil of
Linnaeus. He was an apostle of the " Sy sterna," and
had much to do with making that philosopher's works
familiar to the people of England. Soon after his arrival
in this country, in 1760, he was employed at the British
Museum ; and, in one way or other, was connected with
it until his death. His early friendship with Banks
doubtless began there. In 1764 he became a Fellow
of the Royal Society. After his return from the voyage
in the Endeavour, the University of Oxford conferred
upon him the honorary degree of D.C.L. He left behind
him a large collection of Botanical MSS., which are now
preserved in the Natural History Museum. Beside
Botany, Solander had studied conchology assiduously.
Since 1779, he had been acting as Curator at Bulstrode
House, in charge of the splendid collection of the Dowager
Duchess of Portland.

Dr. Jonas Dryander, another learned Swede, already
established in the intellectual society of London, and
well known to Sir Joseph Banks, henceforward filled the
post vacated by the death of Solander. He was a rather
more active man, and became as valuable an adherent of
the Banks establishment as his predecessor.

John Christian Fabricius [1745-1807] was another
clever Scandinavian naturalist who assisted Banks at this
period. He had been a pupil of Linnaeus, and associate
of Thunberg and others. He became noted for a new
classification of insects, in advance of former ideas. In
his turn he was superseded ; but he performed great
services to natural science.1 Fabricius was in England

1 Among other writings he is remembered for Systema Entomologies
(1775), and Brief e uber England, etc. (1783). For a notice of his work, v.
J. G. Children, in Philosophical Magazine for February, 1830, p. 118.

66 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

1767-8. He made acquaintance with Solander, and
through him was introduced to the best scientific society
in London. Banks, Hunter, Fothergill, John Ellis, Pen-
nant, Greville, were among his intimate friends. In the
years 1772-5 he spent his winters in Copenhagen and
his summers in London. He lived pleasantly in Banks's
company, spending much time over the treasures which
had come from the South Seas. After 1780 he was again
in London, delighted with the further rich accumulations
in Banks's house. The insects were put into his hands
entirely. The store of specimens which ultimately found
a home in the British Museum owed its perfection to the
labours of Fabricius.

The Duchess of Portland's wonderful collection of
objects in nature and art was deservedly renowned by
her co temporaries. When the treasures were disposed of
by auction, in 1786, the sale occupied thirty-eight days !
Readers of Mrs. Delany's Autobiography will remember
the almost tiresome zeal of everybody concerned with
this museum. Lightfoot, the botanist ; Solander ;
Jacob Bryant, the antiquary ; Ehret, the most admired
painter of flowers and foliage, in turn were serving the
Duchess in her pursuits. Mrs. Delany herself enjoys it all.
" We have in attendance Mr. Ehret . . . who goes out in
search of curiosities in the fungus way, as this is now their
season [Sept., 1769], and reads us a lecture on them
an hour before tea, whilst her Grace examines all the
celebrated authors to find out their classes. This is
productive of much learning and of excellent observa-
tions from Mr. Ehret." *

1 Georg Dionysus Ehret, b. Heidelberg 1708, was in the garden
of the Elector of Heidelberg. He travelled great distances over Europe,
botanizing and drawing. After coming to London, he made friends of
Hans Sloane and other gentlemen. Became noted for his perfect
delineations of plant life ; and gave lessons in drawing to the highest
personages. He was much appreciated by Banks, both as friend and
draughtsman. A great many of his beautiful drawings are housed in the
Botanical Department of the Natural History Museum : well worth a
pilgrimage to any lover of this branch of art.

PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 67

Mrs. Delany, too, succumbed to the mania. In the
Print Room of the British Museum is a large assembly of
imitation plants, the work of this lady, which will astonish
any curious visitor who cares to apply for a glimpse of
them.1 These things were the admiration of Banks and
Solander. Indeed, Sir Joseph declared that Mrs. Delany's
representations of flowers were the only imitations of
Nature, that he had ever seen, from which he could venture
to describe botanically any plant without fear of com-
mitting an error. A description of Mrs. Delany's method
will be found in her Life and Correspondence (VI, 96, 97).

Jacob Bryant was another very welcome visitor at
Bulstrode House ; an antiquary, with very wide views and
an extensive knowledge of history. Antiquities were, in
his eyes, the handmaid of history ; perhaps the first
man who thus devoted himself to the topic. He wrote
many books, and collected a great number of gems, coins,
etc. Apparently an insignificant man, who would be
overlooked in the smallest crowd, he bore the highest
character for goodness to his fellow-men and for his
extensive learning. Through Mrs. Delany and Fanny
Burney, several of the Duchess's friends were introduced
to the homely Court at Windsor. Bryant was frequently
in Miss Burney's tea-room, and the King became very
friendly with him, visiting him at his house at Farnham
Royal and staying long in his company.2

Another friend of Banks to be found in the Windsor
coterie was James Lind, physician, traveller, astronomer.
In Miss Burney's time, Lind was resident in Windsor;
in good practice, beside being Physician to the Royal
Household. He was one of Banks's oldest friends, and

1 A printed list is to be found in the Banksian Library : A Catalogue
of plants, copied from nature in Paper Mosaic, finished in the year 1778,
and disposed in Alphabetical Order, according to the generic and specific
names of Linnceus. — Press mark B *f *.

2 v. Madame D'Arblay's Diary, vols. Ill, IV passim, for some anec-
dotes of Bryant.

68 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

a very charming person. He was respected everywhere
in scientific circles, at once for his attainments and the
modesty with which he carried them. He was one of the
party who went to Iceland with von Troil. He had been
to India and back, as surgeon on board an East Indiaman.
It had been proposed to send Dr. Lind on Cook's third
voyage. He made it conditional on Banks also going
in company, " from the real regard I have for so able
and excellent a man." They had been somewhat un-
graciously treated in 1772, when both Lind and Banks
went to great trouble and expense in preparing for the
second expedition. The latter proposed to reimburse
Dr. Lind, who says (in a letter to Dr. Maskelyne) :
" He told me that he had a good estate ; his estate he
looked on as belonging to his friends as well as himself ;
that he held me as one of them, and begged me to com-
mand my share of it whenever I wanted it."

CHAPTER V
THE ROYAL SOCIETY— continued

IT was in the summer of 1783 that Sir Joseph had
a first serious warning of the common lot in life.
Hitherto he was active, and buoyant, as a man at
forty years of age should be. There is no hint of
his having yet had a day's illness. But there was a carri-
age accident in August or September, the result being
that he was laid up for some weeks at Revesby, an invalid.
After that his habits were never the same again. The
demon Gout insidiously began to lay hold upon him,
and eventually troubled him as long as he lived.

During Banks's confinement indoors, his friend Blagden
was more assiduous than ever in his letters from town,
and entertained Sir Joseph with gossip of all sorts.
When this worthy gentleman had the opportunity, he
could pour forth long messages with extraordinary
verbosity. His letters during this particular autumn
are a rich chronicle, worthy of the notice of any student
who would reproduce an idea of the doings of the time.
So, Dr. Blagden made a good newsman for Revesby,
with his stories of flying-machines, Franklin's electrical
experiments, Herschel and his telescope, his own specula-
tions on the composition of air, beside dozens of other
matters which were keeping the philosophers wide awake.
All these things, together with minor gossip of a personal
nature, doubtless softened to the invalid the loss of
his wonted share in affairs.

Nor did Dr. Blagden omit due service to Lady and Miss

69

70 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Banks. "... The songs in ' Gretna Green ' are now
published, and I shall send a copy of them by the Horn-
castle coach next Monday Morning. Most of them, I see,
are old. Whether the newer ones have any merit the
ladies must decide. I add the last collection of Vauxhall
songs, as the first air in it is said to be a great favourite/*
". . . . The ladies do me too much honour in condescend-
ing to take notice of any poor attempts of mine for their
amusement. The music went on Monday.'* "... I have
just seen your coachman ; who says he is now well,
and seems so. Your own hurt, though I hope from the
free intervals it leaves you all bad consequences will be
averted, yet is sufficiently alarming to render caution very
necessary. The intensity of exercise is undoubtedly of
more consequence than the quantity, though it is very
possible for you to exceed even in the latter respect."

Then there was a sad tragedy of a turtle, which seems
to have weighed upon the Doctor's mind. He feared it
could not be saved for a feast, at the head of which Sir
Joseph would preside.

" At the Crown and Sceptre, Thursday, I asked advice
of Simpkin the landlord, relative to your turtle, and begged
him to call and see it. He gave but a bad report, being
of opinion that it was not likely to live many days, and
the weather was much too cold for keeping it in water,
at least above half an hour in the day ; and that it should
be suffered to travel about the kitchen, and be wrapped
up in a blanket at night." In this condition Mr. Simpkin
offered five guineas for it. But it was determined by the
Club to have it killed. " Your turtle was dressed this
day at the Crown and Anchor. Simpkin, having cut
away all the suspicious parts, made three tureens of soup,
and no other dish. It was very good, and well cooked ;
but not to be compared with a plain turtle steak or cutlet.
There was but a small company ; all who were present,
however, expressed much obligation to you for sending it."

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 71

About this time all Europe was diverted with the new
and wonderful experiments in aerostation. Sir Joseph
Banks, in common with most of the leading philosophers
of the day, took immense interest in them. It is not
certain that Banks financed many of these essays of the
balloonists. But, obviously, there were attempts made
to get him to do so. It is possible that Lunardi, if any
one, was successful in tapping the financial resources of
Soho Square. Jeffries, from America, who made the
first voyage across the English Channel, probably gained
Sir Joseph's patronage ; since he wrote from Guines an
exultant story of his exploit and his reception by the
municipality of Calais. Blanchard carried on an Aero-
static Academy, and was frequently engaged in con-
veying parties of adventurous English gentry, with
more or less success, for trips toward the sky. There was
Henry Smeathman, who had done some work in Africa
in Natural History, and he kept in touch with Banks ;
invented a steer able balloon, and persisted in hoping for
Banks's conversion to his plan after having been assured
that there was too much hazard about it.

Dr. Blagden's letters of the period are full of ballooning
adventures, and observations in company with Aubert,
Dryander, and others, who mounted roofs and observa-
tories with sedulous zeal in the philosophic side of the
question

The public craze lasted in some vigour for two or three
years. There seemed to be no bound to its possibilities,
after development on the lines of inflation by a gas lighter
than common air. Naturally, the scoffer was in force.
Ballooning lent itself easily to caricature. And there were
many found to defy the tremendous innovation, on the
ground that its utility was yet to be discovered, and it
was only fit to " gratify idle Curiosity and promote
Dissipation." Yet the sport was undeniably popular,
as it has never ceased to be. And the character of the

72 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

philosophic men who continued to promote it was too
high for the thing to be crushed by premature dis-
approval.1

The session of 1783-4 was disturbed by a crisis in the
affairs of the Royal Society, the most momentous in its
history.

The popularity of Sir Joseph Banks as President of the
Society had two sides to it. Occupying that distinguished
post, he was recognized as a worthy and most zealous
patron of Science, devoting his wealth and his energies
without stint to the welfare of the Society. All this was
very excellent and commendable. But, beside this, he
was a masterful man, of great sagacity, dealing with
matters in a rough-and-ready way ; indisposed to permit
the needless interference of side issues with great princi-
ples. Now, if this quality of strength is one that the
average Briton treasures above all, not the less is he
apprehensive of any tendency to dictatorship. And it
happened that, during the early years of his occupancy of
the Chair, there were to be found Fellows of the Society who
held that Sir Joseph was occasionally too self-assertive.

One thing followed inevitably upon the accession of
Banks to the President's Chair. He determined to restore
the older restrictions as to candidature for membership.
He would have the Royal Society so far exclusive as to
forbid the admission of such gentlemen who seemed to
regard the distinction mainly as a step in personal
advancement. The men who sought to enter the Society
should be those who had distinguished themselves in
some one or other branch of Philosophy, and those of

1 v. Gentleman's Magazine, and the newspapers, and Miss Banks's
Collection of Broadsides in the British Museum, for coloured pictures
and views, for 1 783-5 ; and much anecdotage on the topic. There is room
here for one story. At Constantinople, the people who saw a balloon
come down cried out with fear. " They were seized with inexpressible
horror, thinking it was the Prophet come down to punish them for their
sins ; and they fell prostrate on the ground."

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 73

good social position who were willing to expend their
wealth and influence in the promotion of Science. Some
latitude had grown up in this way ; a vital point if the
Society would preserve its dignity and renown.1

In the course of devoting himself to the interests of the
Society, Sir Joseph soon made his personality felt ; and,
among other things, " took measures to render the
Fellowship more difficult of attainment than it was at the
time of his election." The Secretaries, there is reason to
believe, had the power of electing any candidate who
was ambitious of becoming a Fellow of the Society ;
and the President, whose " duty it clearly is to preserve
the purity of election, was seldom consulted."2 Banks
presently announced to the Secretaries and Members
that he meant to watch over the application for admission.
" Previous to an election, he spoke to the Members who
usually attended ; he gave his opinion freely on the merits
of candidates, and when he considered a rejection proper,
he hesitated not to advise it, giving his opinion and
recommending or asking a black-ball from individuals
at the time of the ballot."3

There were eleven rejections in the first five years of his
incumbency. Hence the partial loss of popularity which
the President suffered. In the year 1783 discontent
came to a head, doubtless fomented by the Secretaries.

Mr. Paul Henry Maty (b. 1744 ; son of Dr. Matthew
Maty, a distinguished physician of Huguenot parentage)
was the General Secretary, which office he had held since
1778, having previously been Foreign Secretary for six
years. With many respectable literary friends, and a

1 A humorous story was afloat at one time, bearing on the facility
with which admission was granted to the Royal Society : " D'Alembert
used jocosely to ask any of his acquaintance coming to England, if
they wished to become members of the Society ; intimating that, if they
thought it an honour, he could easily obtain it for them." — Tilloch's
Philosophical Magazine, vol. LVI.

2 C. R. Weld : Hist, of the Royal Soc., II, 152.

3 Brougham, op. cit.

74 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

somewhat energetic disposition, he found a congenial
resource in the Royal Society, to which he was elected in
1771.

Mr. Joseph Planta (born in Switzerland, 1744) was the
son of a German Reforming Pastor in London. He was
assistant, and afterward chief, Librarian at the British
Museum for the long period of fifty-four years, with entire
public approval and benefit ; a leading figure in the
intellectual life of London. He had been Foreign Secretary
to the Royal Society for two years, and in 1776 became
Second or Assistant Secretary.

It appears from Blagden's correspondence with Sir
Joseph that both Maty and Planta were aggrieved by
the firm demeanour of the young President. They had
raised a strong party among the members of the Society,
opposed to the continuance of what they held to be a
too highly pitched notion of presidential authority. The
storm burst suddenly upon the Society at the opening of
the session of 1783, and arose out of the allegation that
Dr. Hutton, the existing Foreign Secretary, was not
performing his duties efficiently. Now, Charles Hutton
was truly a busy man, one of the first mathematicians
of the age. He had been chosen Professor at the Royal
Military Academy at Woolwich by a very strong Com-
mittee. His hands were tolerably full of his work, the
fruit of which is not discarded to this day. He had to
take occasional lodgings in London to fulfil his secretarial
duties. Hence it was that these duties were rather
perfunctorily performed. The Foreign Correspondence
was not being dealt with promptly and punctually
(according to a Council minute of January 24, 1782).

A Committee appointed to consider his case (November,
1783) resolved that " for the benefit of the Society, the
business of the Foreign Secretary be done by a person
constantly resident in London." Shortly after this Dr.
Hutton resigned his office.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 75

On December n it was moved, at an ordinary meeting,
that the thanks of the Society be given to Dr. Hutton
for his services as Secretary for Foreign Correspondence.
The President at first objected to this, on the ground
that it was impossible for the Society, as a body, to know
whether the duties of the Foreign Secretary had been
efficiently performed or not. After a rather stormy
discussion the motion was carried by thirty ayes against
twenty-five noes ; and the President forthwith pro-
nounced the Society's thanks to Dr. Hutton. The latter
made a good defence in writing on the next evening
meeting ; and it was resolved by a majority of thirty
out of forty-five members present, that the Doctor had
fully justified himself.

Matters might have ended here. But a storm had been
gathering to which this episode was only preliminary.
A strong party had been formed against Sir Joseph. Their
ultimate aim was the choice of a new President in his
stead. This feeling against Banks was precipitated by
a sense, rightly or wrongly, that the mathematical side
of the Society's work had been unduly shelved under the
existing ruler. There were several very able men in
the forefront of the opposition ; and, if to the above
charge they could add that their President had im-
properly interfered in the election of Fellows, there were
good reasons for questioning his suitability for the Chair.

Dr. Samuel Horsley (F.R.S., 1767) was a mathematician
of some note, a well-informed man, and a fine preacher ;
distinguished for his animosity toward the doctrines of
Dr. Priestley and the warmth of his defence of orthodoxy
generally. He rose to distinction in the Church, and
made a respectable prelate. But his nature tended to
partisanship : the very last quality to be desired in a
President of the Royal Society. And it was understood
that this was his ambition. Lord Brougham is far too
contemptuous about Dr. Horsley's abilities ; but he is,

76 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

perhaps, right in imparting credit to any persons who
saved the Royal Society from " such a fate as being under
Horsley's Presidency." Other vigorous opponents of
Banks at this time were Francis Maseres (F.R.S., 1771),
Cursitor Baron of the Exchequer, Political Reformer,
and one of the acutest minds of the age ; and Dr. Nevil
Maskelyne (F.R.S., 1764), Astronomer Royal, a profound
mathematician, and an active member of the Society.

The conduct of Dr. Horsley and his supporters seems
to have been hardly worthy of their position. It was
their proper course to attack Sir Joseph Banks at a
General Meeting, and not at the ordinary assemblies :
interrupting the philosophical pursuits of the Society,
and mixing up scientific with personal questions. The
ordinary meetings of the Society continued to be marked
with ill-humour, and with distinct hostility to the
President. There was an organized party which did
not disguise its determination to eject Sir Joseph from
the Chair. Acting on the advice of a few friends assembled
at his house, Banks made a " call " on the entire body
of the Society to attend at the next ordinary meeting,
as it was " probable that questions will be agitated on
which the opinion of the Society at large ought to be
taken."

This proceeding was resented by the malcontents.
But Banks 's friends meant business. On the eventful
evening (early in January, 1784) a motion proposed by
Mr. Anguish,1 and seconded by the Hon. Henry Caven-
dish, " that this Society do approve of Sir Joseph Banks
as their President, and mean to support him in that
office," was carried by one hundred and nineteen ayes
against forty-two noes. This ought to have been decisive.
But tempers were as high as ever, a circumstance not
likely to be ameliorated while the outside world was
enjoying this quarrel of the philosophers. The news-
1 Accountant-General (F.R.S., 1766).

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 77

papers did not spare them ; and the publicity which
attached to their unfortunate proceedings doubtless
helped to irritate some of the more earnest members of
the Society.

Dr. Blagden to Sir Joseph Banks.

" (February n, 1784.)

" DEAR SIR, — Gossett goes against you for his con-
nexion with Maty. Dr. Warren brings down Gunning
and all the friends he can muster for you. There is a
paper in the Public Advertiser to-day in which Button's
business is much misstated. You should get it. Horsley
seems to take advantage of your staying in the Chair to
represent the indecency of your sitting there to receive
incense ; but still it is best. They say that many things
will be brought out from quarters entirely unsuspected
by you. Dr. Brocklesby is mentioned as one of those who,
though they attended the meeting, do not think themselves
engaged to vote for you, but I know not on what founda-
tion. Brand Hollis meant yesterday to go against
you. Warren says that there will be a thundering
majority on your side, Jodrell that the majority is
doubtful. The latter is growing violent against you,
and probably will speak."

At the ordinary meeting, February 12, a resolution was
moved that Dr. Hutton be requested to resume office.
This was negatived by a majority of thirty-eight. On the
next meeting, the opposing parties came to close quarters.
It was moved, " that it would be highly indecent and
improper if the President of this Society should hereafter,
either in the selection of candidates or upon any other
occasion, endeavour to avail himself of his situation to
influence the vote of any officer of the Society." This
was negatived by one hundred and fifteen against twenty-
seven. In disregard of this ominous result, a second
motion was persisted in : " that although it does not

78 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

appear to the Society that either the present, or any
former President, hath availed himself of his situation to
influence the votes of officers in the election of Fellows,
it is yet necessary to declare that it would be highly
indecent and improper, if the President of the Royal
Society should hereafter, either in the election of candi-
dates, or upon any other occasion, endeavour to avail
himself of his situation to influence the vote of any
officer of the Society." This was negatived by seventy-
nine against twenty-three.

Scientific evenings were now resumed ; and it was
hoped there would be forgetting and forgiving, and a
renewal of philosophic zeal. But Mr. Maty contrived to
put himself into a false position by introducing, a month
later, one of the anonymous pamphlets which had
appeared on the topic. The President held the pamphlet
to be slanderous and insulting, and the meeting appearing
to be with him, he refused any official acknowledgment
or notice of the pamphlet on the part of the Society.
In the course of the evening Mr. Maty resigned his
Secretaryship.

One more difficulty faced the Society before peace
was quite restored. There were two candidates for the
chief Secretaryship in place of Mr. Maty. Dr. Horsley
and his friends brought forward Dr. Hut ton for the post.
The President made it a personal matter to befriend the
candidature of Dr. Blagden. Weld suggests that it was
vital matter for his hold on the Presidency to identify
himself with the promotion of Blagden.1 Before the
day of election Sir Joseph circulated a card to the Fellows
to the effect that, " at his desire," Dr. Blagden had de-
clared himself a candidate, and the President did not
doubt that his election would be of advantage to the
Society. Meanwhile, some influential members met, led
by Cavendish, Dalrymple, Aubert, Wollaston, General
1 op. tit., II, 165.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 79

Roy, Dr. Heberden, etc., formed a committee with
Blagden, and resolved " to prevent a few turbulent
individuals from continuing to interrupt the peace of the
Society " (Blagden to Banks, April 5, 1784). Their
efforts were successful in discountenancing any further
obstruction or disunion on personal matters. After the
election, which gave one hundred and thirty-nine votes
for Blagden and thirty-nine for Hut ton, the meetings
quickly resumed their old peaceful career.

Sir Joseph bore his victory without elation, and, on the
anniversary meeting of the Society, he addressed the
assembled Fellows in a manly and generous way, as
follows i1

" From the appearance of our present Meeting, I will
venture to foretell that our disputes are at an end ;
that the gentlemen from whom I have had the misfortune
to differ in opinion will abide by the decisions of the
Society, which they have repeatedly taken, agree with
me in a determination to throw a veil of oblivion over
all past animosities, and unite once more in sincere efforts
toward the advancement of the Society, the honour and
reputation of which we have all equally pledged ourselves
to support.

" But, enough of dissension : a word never more, I
sincerely hope, to be heard within these walls ; dedicated
as they are by a generous Monarch to the service of
Science. Peace and harmony should ever be found within
them, for under the influence of peace and harmony
among those who profess to cultivate it Science can only
flourish. Let us unite once more then, my friends, to
fulfil the wise purposes of our liberal Patron and Bene-
factor ; and resume at the same time the prudent
conduct of your predecessors, who for more than a century
supported the honour of this Society unsullied, and have
bequeathed it to us as they received it. They never
1 Weld, II, 1 68.

80 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

failed to sacrifice such resentment as rose among them
to the good of the general cause in which they felt them-
selves embarked ; for, although some individuals among
them have heretofore indulged their feelings by appealing
to the public when they imagined the welfare of the
Body at large was in danger, they never once attempted
to convert the meetings instituted for the advancement
of knowledge into assemblies of debate and contro-
versy."

There was a deal of pamphleteering on this absorbing
topic, while the newspapers and magazines took their
share in the conflict. The general public was amused ;
and, while it lasted, the matter gave unwonted glee to
the classes who thought they could afford to laugh at
philosophers squabbling. Of these ephemeral publications
that of Dr. Kippis, who appears to have here summed
up the case, perhaps 4 shows the best literary merit.1
Of the final conclusion of the case, he observes : " The
man who, for a course of years, and without diminution,
preserves the affections of those friends who know him
best, is not likely to have unpardonable faults of temper.
It is possible that Sir Joseph Banks may have assumed
a firm tone in the execution of his duty as President of
the Society, and have been free in his rebukes, where he
apprehended that there was any occasion for them."

A few years after these occurrences there was question
of Bishop Horsley's election to some Club, and of Banks's
possible black-ball. In reply to his correspondent,
Banks says : " For me, even had I been injured, custom
would have allowed me to forgive. But, in truth, I was
not. I was seated more firmly in my Chair by the

1 Observations on the late contests in the Royal Society (London, 1784).
Dr. Andrew Kippis (F.R.S., 1771), was a very able dissenting pastor,
and led an active and useful literary life. He is now best remembered
by an attempt to found a complete Biographica Bntannica ; and by an
excellent account of the Life and Voyages of Captain Cook (London, 1788,
and still reprinted).

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 81

Doctor's attempt to dispossess me ; and our controversy
ended, as I told him it would, on the very first day that
war was regularly commenced. ' You have raised a
storm, my good Doctor (said I), and, trust me, I shall
ride upon it.' It is now eight or nine years since he left
me unmolested to crow upon the dunghill he so valiantly
disputed with me, and has not in that period made his
appearance in the Society's rooms three times. To bear
malice, therefore, against him would be insufferable. Was
it in my power to be present, I would certainly ballot in
his favour."

A few letters will illustrate the policy of Sir Joseph
in his post as President. In order to preserve the credit
and the honour of the Royal Society, it was inevitable
that sometimes a peremptory tone was necessary.

Arthur Lee to Sir Joseph Banks.

" NEW YORK, December 2, 1787.

" SIR, — I received a few days ago a letter signed
Geo. Gilpin, requesting me, in the name of the Council of
the Royal Society, to order payment of £28 I2s. sterling,
stated to be due for eleven years' contribution, as a mem-
ber of that Body.

" I should not have failed discharging annually my
subscription, as a domestic member, during these years,
had I conceived myself competent to sustain that charac-
ter. But I thought, and still think, that the Declaration
of Independence, and the Revolution consequent upon it,
extinguished in me the character of a British subject,
with all its benefits and burthens. It appeared to me
that, without being a subject, I could not continue a
domestic member of your illustrious Society. For that
reason, and not from wanting a full sense of the honour
of that character, I considered and consider myself as no
longer a fellow of the Royal Society. I have, etc."

82 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. Arthur Lee.

" SIR, — On the receipt of your favour I immediately
laid it before the Council of the Royal Society, who
accepted your resignation ; and have by that means
prevented you from incurring any further debt.

" But, how the Independence of America can discharge
you from the prior debt, which is an annual contribution,
for the regular payment of which you at your admission
into the Society gave your bond, is a matter which
I confess I do not understand ; as a personal obligation
thus voluntarily entered into appears to me equally
binding on the person who enters into it, of whatever
nation he may be, or under whatever Government he
may choose to place himself."

M. Antoine Laurent Jussieu, the distinguished French
botanist, was candidate for admission to the Royal
Society. He was one of the early Foreign members
of the Linnean. For some reason or other, unknown
beyond the Council table, he was rejected. The follow-
ing letter of Banks, apparently in reply to one which
embodied surprise, or perhaps reproach, is an excellent
specimen of his manner of treating a disagreeable subject
in a manly and courteous way.

Sir Joseph Banks to M. Jussieu.

" SOHO SQUARE, June 29, 1788.

" SIR, — It is an unpleasant thing to be refused ad-
mittance into a Society to which one has been presented
as a Candidate ; but in your case I consider it as a matter
which ought not in any degree to vex or trouble you.
I, Sir, who have had the misfortune to be rejected by the
Academy of Paris, am now a member of it. Why then
may not the same thing happen to you ?

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 83

" Your literary character, I can assure you, never came
into the contemplation of those who voted against you.
That is highly respected here, as much as you could wish
or expect. As far as I know, your enemies were guided
by an antipathy to the doctrines of Mesmer ; which,
especially since Dr. Franklin gave his opinion against
them, is here very prevalent. And, good Sir, difference
of opinion in matters of speculative nature have not the
least influence on the respect which literary men owe to
each other. I hope that, notwithstanding your disap-
pointment, our correspondence will continue. Mine with
my friends at Paris did not cease a moment on a similar
occasion.

" The son of Dr. Hope, the late Professor of Botany,
will be shortly with you at Paris. He brings you two plates
which are intended for the new publication of Hortus
Kewensis, coloured in the best style. They are intended
as furniture, and pay compliments to the Queen ;
who studies Botany intensely, and really reads with
perseverance Elementary Books ; also Lady Tankerville,
whose Lord has a very fine Botanic Garden, and who
knows plants well and paints them exquisitely. Accept
these as a mark of my homage. Be assured of the con-
tinuation of that respect you have so justly inspired me
with, and believe me at all times,

" Your most faithful," etc.

Sir Joseph Banks to Count Windischgratz.

" June 2 (?i784).

" SIR, — The Secretary of the Royal Society has orders
to transmit to you the resolution of that Body, in which
they decline the honour you intended them of assisting
in adjudging the valuable prize you have offered in hopes
to diminish that hitherto inceasing curse of civilization :
the uncertainty of the Law.

84 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

"... Sensible of the benevolent intention of your
question, and of the generosity which destined so large
a premium to its answer, I regret that we are precluded
from assisting in the decision upon it. But, as the Resolu-
tion which prevents the Royal Society from interfering
on such occasions has been formed by the deliberate care
of our predecessors, and has repeatedly been the means
of maintaining that Independence which is our chief
boast, I am fully satisfied of the great propriety of pre-
serving it uninf ringed.

" It may be necessary to explain to you, Sir, that the
constitution of the Royal Society differs essentially from
those of the Royal Academies of Paris and Berlin, though
both of those academies appear to have been in imitation
of ours as nearly as the policies of the respective Govern-
ments would allow. They are associations of learned
men collected together by their respective monarchs,
constantly called upon to answer such questions as their
Governments think proper to put to them ; and held to
the necessity of answering them whatever they may be,
by pensions granted at the will of the monarch by whom
the members are originally nominated. While we are
a set of free Englishmen, elected by each other, and sup-
ported at our own expense, without accepting any pension
or other emolument which can in any point of view sub-
ject us to receive orders or directions from any department
of Government, be it ever so high.

" Witnesses of the French Academy having been called
upon for decision on the most humiliating subjects, we
have uniformly resisted when our own Government have
called upon us for decisions. How evidently improper it
would be for us, at the instance of a stranger, howsoever
we may respect his rank and abilities, to do that which
we have repeatedly refused to our own Government I
leave to yourself to decide.

" That the refusal of the Royal Society will not (as you

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 85

justly observe) prevent your benevolent question from
being judged, is a matter which gives me pleasure occupied
even in the disagreeable task of conveying their refusal
to you. All nations in Europe abound with Academies
and Societies. Great Britain furnishes others beside us,
and few indeed of those numerous Bodies will, I believe,
be found to reject your offer, especially accompanied as
it is with the annexed emolument.

" Accept therefore, Sir, my sincere wishes that you
may find Judges worthy the benevolence of your inten-
tion, and that mankind may in future ages remember
the benevolent author of it, with the gratitude that an act
so universally public-spirited, and so worthy of one who
really esteems himself a citizen of the world at large must
be considered to deserve/' 1

Dr. Joseph Priestley to Sir Joseph Banks.

" 72 ST. PAUL'S, April 25, 1790.

" DEAR SIR, — As I wish always to act with openness
and to avow the motives of my conduct, I cannot forbear
to express my great dissatisfaction at the conduct of the
Royal Society in the rejection of Mr. Cooper, recom-
mended by myself and four other members, all men of
science and of respectable character. There is not, I
believe, another example of a certificate so signed and so
slighted ; the votes, as I hear, being twenty-four against
him, and twenty for him.

" My mortification is the greater, because it was in
consequence of my own proposal that Mr. Cooper became
a candidate. And, as I was known to interest myself in
the business, by writing in his favour to both the Secre-

1 Joseph Nikolas von Windischgratz. The Count took this refusal
philosophically. In the following year, there appeared in London a
Latin pamphlet, being an offer of prizes for improved forms of legal
agreements ; under the title, Ad Lectorem : purporting to be translated
from the German. — London, J. Nichols, 1785.

86 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

taries, and to my other friends in the Society, I consider
the proceeding as including in it an intended affront to
myself. Mr. Cooper, who was introduced to yourself,
and whose merit, independent of his certificate, was
attested by persons who have long known him, is a man
equally distinguished for his knowledge, ability, and
activity ; and of all the persons that I know, I think him
the most likely to do honour to any Society of which he
shall become a member.

" I consider the business as the effect of party-spirit,
political or religious, as highly unworthy of the Society,
injurious to the interests of philosophy, and arising
from principles which would equally lead to my own
exclusion from the Society. But, as I conceive it to be
a matter in which you, Sir, had no concern, it does not,
I assure you, diminish my respect for yourself, thinking, as
I have always professed to do, that the Society is honoured
by your being its President.

" I am," etc.

There may have been justice in the suspicion that
political partisanship had weighed some of the members
of the Royal Society on this occasion. Mr. Thomas
Cooper, of Manchester, was a man of learning and talent,
and love for natural science. But he had made himself
unduly ostentatious in sympathy with the French revolu-
tionists. Indeed, he was on the famous deputation of
English republicans who were honoured by a reception
from the national assembly.1

In those unpleasant times, a man of this stamp, how-
ever high his personal character, was simply an object of
fear. Whether rightly or wrongly, association with Mr.

1 In 1793 he went to America, to see if it were " a place fit to live in."
Even in America, he suffered imprisonment on account of his advanced
opinions. Leaving politics alone, he presently became a judge, and
afterward a professor of chemistry.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 87

Cooper, and others who thought with him, was shunned
because of the supposed danger of such persons to the
good of the commonwealth. Priestley, himself, was ob-
noxious to many. In writing this angry letter to the
President, his tone is wholly partisan. The scientific
work of Mr. Cooper is only mentioned by inference. There
was none to mention, in point of fact ; considering the
qualifications necessary for admission into the Society.
Unless there existed tangible evidence of Mr. Cooper's
scientific discoveries, it was certain that neither Banks,
nor any other member except the candidate's personal
sympathizers, could properly vote for him. So, this
attack on the part of Dr. Priestley was a needless addition
to the difficulties of the President's position ; at a time
when friendships were shattered, and reputations
endangered, by the merest whisper of party-spirit.

As Sir Joseph had nothing to hide, and nothing to
excuse, his answer was easy. But he appears to have taken
unusual pains to show his friend that his interference was
uncalled for.

Sir Joseph Banks to Dr. Priestley.

" April 26, 1790.

" SIR, — In return for the openness of your conduct
in your letter of yesterday, in which you tell me among
other things, that you conceive I had no concern in the
rejection of Mr. Cooper, I beg leave to meet you with the
same candour by declaring that I am one of those who
were not at the time of the Ballot sufficiently acquainted
with the gentleman's merits to be justified in my own
opinion in giving him my vote.

" At the same time, Sir, I assure you with the utmost
sincerity that religious prejudice had no influence what-
ever on my conduct in that respect. For, though I am
convinced that the majority governed have a right to
insist that the magistrates who govern them do profess

88 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

the religious tenets which they believe to be the only
true ones, and conform to the rites by which the sincerity
of their religious profession can alone be put to the test,
I never felt the least difficulty in associating in philo-
sophical disquisition with any person on account of what
his creed might or might not be.

" So much, Sir, for myself. On the part of the Royal
Society, whose Chair you do me the honour to say I have
not disgraced, I cannot help being astonished at the
sentiment in your letter, which expresses a disgust at
your recommendation to them being slighted ; and still
more at your conceiving the rejection of Mr. Cooper as an
intended affront to you. ... To hint even, that the
Royal Society were capable of combining together in
order to pass an affront on you, is what they as a Body
must feel as a serious charge on their character and
reputation ; and is one, I boldly assert, which is void of
the slightest foundation in fact.

" With you, Sir, I have hitherto lived in friendship,
and have ever set, I trust, a proper value on the influence
your discoveries have had in the advancement of Science.
Your friendship I wish still to retain ; and I hope the
frankness of my letter will not alter the sentiments toward
me which are expected in you. I shall therefore in con-
fidence add that, whatever Mr. Cooper's scientific merit
may be, — no token of which he has hitherto brought for-
ward to the Society — there are, I am firmly convinced
reasons wholly independent of his religious opinions ;
which, however the partial eye of your friendship may
have overlooked them, do fully justify the late conduct
of the Society ; and will, if any appeal is made to the
public, acquit them wholly of the charges you are inclined
to bring. "

This short misunderstanding with Dr. Priestley was
one of the minor difficulties which Sir Joseph had to face

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 89

in the exercise of his office as President. It required some
delicacy to deal with each case as it arose. As it happens,
there does not appear, in all his accessible correspondence,
any example in which one decision conflicted with another.
As he treated everybody with good humour, and an al-
most excessive politeness, it is likely that in few cases did
he leave his correspondents offended. He had often to
repeat that it was his duty, as was that of his predecessors,
to examine with some degree of attention the pretensions
of those who wished to belong to the Society, in points
of view that might never occur to them nor to their
friends, and he particularly seems to have set his face
against " aspirants in the medical profession who could
raise five guineas"; but who could not establish any
record of original research.

In the same way, Sir Joseph had to dismiss a good
many persons who offered ingenious papers for publica-
tion in the Philosophical Transactions, who had worked
out discoveries for themselves, but did not know that
Science was in advance of them. It was out of the ques-
tion to submit such papers to the Society, seeing that its
members were supposed to be conversant with opinions
generally accepted.

M. Barthelemy Faujas de Saint-Fond made the tour
of England and Scotland and the Western Islands, in
the year 1784 ; a gentleman of some distinction, par-
ticularly versed in mineralogy and the infant prospects
of Geological inquiry. He wrote a very agreeable book 1
on his experiences in this country ; rather above the

1 Travels in England, Scotland, and the Hebrides, undertaken for the
purpose of examining the State of the Arts, the Sciences, Natural History,
and manners, in Great Britain " (transl., 2 vols., London, 1799). A new
and revised edition of this translation, with notes and memoirs, by Sir
Archibald Geikie, has recently been published (Glasgow, 1907). Faujas
is a man that should not be forgotten. He was one of those eccentric
beings who believed in the possibility of scientific men not being jealous
of each other, and was pleased to notice the generous tone in England
of all whose company he frequented.

90 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

level of such productions, in the absence of useless sneer
at matters which differed from the ways and customs of
his own land. He was made a welcome guest in Soho
Square ; and the fact that he dined with The Club one
evening exemplifies the hospitality and the ready accept-
ance which were held out by Banks and his friends to
European strangers of worth.

Banks 's house was the " rendezvous of those who
cultivate the sciences. They assemble every morning in
one of the apartments of a numerous library, which con-
sists entirely of books on Natural History, and is the com-
pletest of its kind in existence. There all the journals
and public papers, relative to the sciences, are to be
found ; and there they communicate to each other such
new discoveries, as they are informed of by their re-
spective correspondents, or which are transmitted by the
learned foreigners who visit London, and who are all
admitted into this society. A friendly breakfast of tea
or coffee supports that tone of ease and fraternity which
ought universally to prevail among men of Science and
letters."

Our traveller places on record the services specially
rendered by Sir Joseph to the science of Botany : " he
has become the guardian of several herbals executed by
naturalists of great reputation. Had it not been for the
attention and the fortune of Sir Joseph Banks, these col-
lections would have been dispersed in distant quarters ;
or, perhaps, lost by the negligence of heirs. Whereas,
united as they now are in one repository, they are easily
accessible to such as incline to consult them." What at-
tracted him most of all, as being more in his own depart-
ment, was the show of mineral products. Banks allowed
him to select a few items : mostly varieties of Iceland
spar, which he presently gave to the Paris Museum of
Natural History.

The reception of Faujas at a dinner of the Royal Society

THE ROYAL SOCIETY 91

Club gave him great satisfaction. Sir Joseph presided ;
and Dr. Maskelyne said grace. " To give liveliness to
the scene, the President announced the health of the
Prince of Wales ; this was his birthday. We then drank
to the Elector Palatine, who was that day to be admitted
a member of the Royal Society. The same compliment
was paid to us foreigners, of whom there were five present."
..." Brandy, rum, and some other strong liquors, closed
this philosophical banquet, which terminated at half-past
seven, as there was to be a meeting of the Royal Society
at eight o'clock. ... I repaired to the Society along
with Sir Joseph Banks, Mr. Cavendish, Dr. Maskelyne,
Mr. Aubert, and Sir H. Englefield. We were all pretty
much enlivened, but our gaiety was decorous."

Three days afterwards, M. Faujas was entertained
at Banks's country house at Spring Grove (Isleworth).
He was charmed with the management of the gardens,
the state of their cultivation was admirable and interest-
ing. An elegant dinner and dessert, " at which there was
abundance of pine-apples," followed in the evening.

The day after this excursion, our traveller was enter-
tained by William Herschel at his house near Windsor.
Here he saw the " ever-memorable " telescope with which
the eighth planet was discovered, and had the pleasure
of making celestial observations during two hours. Her-
schel told him that he had made more than one hundred
and forty mirrors with his own hands, before attaining
the degree of perfection which he had now reached.
Faujas was startled to find Miss Caroline Herschel assist-
ing her brother in recording observations ; " placed at the
upper end of his telescope, when the indefatigable astrono-
mer discovers in the most desert parts of the sky a nebula,
or a star of the least magnitude, invisible to the naked eye,
he informs his sister of it, by means of a string which
communicates with the room where she sits ; upon
the signal being given, the sister opens the window,

92 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

and the brother asks her whatever information he
wants."

Faujas was charmed with Kew Gardens. He properly
gives the credit of their progress and utility to George III.
Some of Banks's recent importations were on view.
There were, especially, Hedysamm gyrans in flower ;
Dioncea muscipula; Magnolia grandiflora; beside other
plants which horticulturists of the period were more
or less in ecstasies about. It is, perhaps, not generally
known that the rockery in Kew Gardens was formed
of lava fragments, which had been brought from Iceland
as ballast. Doubtless, Faujas had this from Banks's
own mouth. " As the lavas are full of cavities, fissures,
and roughnesses, and are likewise spongy, and capable
of imbibing and long retaining water, it was resolved to
form thick borders of them, more or less elevated, round
the verges of a shady piece of ground, appropriated to
this moss-garden, which is unique of its kind."

Mr. Pennant, in a letter to Banks, tells of the visit of
Faujas to the Isle of Staff a ; and of his fellow-philosopher
hesitating on the shores of Mull, appalled at the aspect
of Atlantic waves. The hesitation did not continue long.
At much risk he carried out his plan, determined to follow
in the footsteps of his predecessors, to whom he gives the
credit of being the first to describe the wonderful island.

CHAPTER VI
KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III

A important result from Banks's new acquaint-
ance with the King was its effect upon the
fortunes of the Royal Gardens at Kew. The
care of the Gardens had been for some time
past the favourite business of Lord Bute. Under his
management the Princess Dowager of Wales was enabled
to pursue her hobby in the best taste. Lord Bute was
really one of the leading horticulturists of the time.
In his younger married days, living at Mount Stuart, his
time was occupied almost exclusively in Agriculture
and Botany. The gardens there have been the glory
of the island of Bute ever since. After his retirement
from politics he resumed these things. At Luton Hoo he
raised a splendid garden, from which he presently stocked
another at his Hampshire villa near Christchurch. The
general public knew nothing of the cultured side of Lord
Bute's character. When an addition was made to the
buildings at Kew he caused a private entrance to be made
from his own study into the adjacent palace garden ;
and in his hands it entered upon that career which has
since made it famous throughout the world. The chief
gardener was a somewhat remarkable man, William
Aiton, a native of Lanarkshire. He came up to London
to find employment, at the age of twenty-eight, which he
found at the Chelsea Garden, under Philip Miller. His
appointment as superintendent at Kew, in 1759, gave him

93

94 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

his opportunity. Under his care the grounds flourished
as they had never done before.

George III shared the affection of his mother for Kew
palace and gardens, and fell in with her pursuits with
zest, improving the premises and extending the planta-
tions. Some of Sir William Chambers's buildings yet
remain, in a style far removed from any fashion of our
own days ; but by no means inelegant, even in an age
which has practically forsaken the seductive forms of
palladian ornament. After the death of the Princess
Dowager, the King bought the freehold of the house she
had occupied. Some weeks later, when Banks came on
the scene, and horticulture was found to have a common
interest for the two, he fell into the position of Royal
Adviser generally at Kew.

All that energy and intelligence could supply was now
given to the improvement of the gardens. From the day
when Banks had a tacit control of affairs, the acquisition
of rare and curious flowers, and the discovery of useful
Economic plants became his constant purpose. Without
overshadowing the merits of the famous nurserymen
of the day, or the praiseworthy efforts of those of the
gentry who practised planting, Kew offered a perennial
stimulus to emulation. His devotion to Kew was among
the most signal benefits which Banks's career gave to his
country.

A matter to which his attention was early directed
was an expansion of the system of importing exotic plants.
Hitherto acquisitions had depended upon the offerings
of returned travellers, and upon occasional purchases
from the professional nurserymen. By these means there
was always scope for the gradual accumulation of rare
and beautiful plants. From his own newly acquired
knowledge of the strange and varied types in vegetation,
so many of which might be transplanted to other lands,
Banks conceived the notion of making Kew the depository

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 95

of every known plant that could be of utility to the people
of Europe, or ornamental to their dwellings. A recent
foreign traveller in England has entitled Kew the Mecca
of Botanists. No expression could so happily indicate
the idea which gradually took possession of Banks,
and which has so signally enriched the Science of Horti-
culture.

So it happened that, during a great part of the re-
mainder of Banks's long life, an abiding interest was
taken in the fortunes of Kew Gardens. After some thirty-
five years or so of these activities, we shall come to the
pathetic moment when, because of advancing age and
infirmities, he is compelled to cease relations with a man
whom he had trained as a Botanical Collector, and who
now deserved the reward of years of diligence and zeal.
Within this long period, it may be said there was a race
of men come into being whose taste for natural science
was actually inspired by Banks's renown. It was natural
that exiled medical men, stationed in places far removed
from the ordinary social amenities, should become ardent
Botanists. It is more significant still that persons of all
classes in life who were condemned to wander in foreign
lands and seas, were aroused to habits of observation,
and to take a share in the work of adding to the sum of
human knowledge. An immense system of correspon-
dence grew up, from persons in all parts of the world :
so large, indeed, that it is not likely Banks was able to
respond habitually. But the fact of the preservation of
many hundreds of such letters is evidence that they were
read and treasured ; and there is no lack of proof that
the writers themselves were kept in mind. Indeed, Banks
appears to have held all such persons in very close regard,
always manifested without reserve when occasion brought
them the chance of a personal interview. The letters from
Banks's various correspondents reveal the astonishing
activity which resulted from these botanical explorations.

96 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Before many years passed away there was scarce any
part of the world where there was not some one or other
in touch with the now celebrated patron of Natural
Science. A fresh interest was given to life. Whether at
home or abroad, there was always some new devotee,
inspired by Banks's generous example, seeking to un-
ravel the long-neglected marvels of nature. During
the reign of George III, nearly seven thousand new
exotics were introduced into England. By far the
greater part of these were sent home by Banks's plant
collectors.

In connection with this enterprise, and partly fostered
by the emulation aroused among botanists through its
agency, there arose many Botanical Gardens in the
British settlements abroad. The first of these was planted
in Jamaica about the year 1775. In a very few years
Jamaica became a planter's paradise, from the number
of official and private gardens which flourished in
the island. For there was everywhere a constant acces-
sion of zealous volunteers, both in the East and West
Indies.

Francis Masson was the first of these adventurers
sent out at the instance of Banks. As the first official
collector sent out, and one whose services to Botany
were not excelled by those of his colleagues and succes-
sors, his career may be specially noticed. He came
from Aberdeen, and worked in Kew Gardens under
Aiton for several years. He was about thirty-one
years of age when Banks selected him for the pioneer
Collector.

Masson went to the Cape of Good Hope, where he
remained for three years. His first journey was more or
less an experimental one ; yet his labours were rewarded
by the discovery of many new plants, the consignment
of which to Kew made a notable accession to the treasures
in the Gardens. A second journey to the interior was

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 97

made in company with Thunberg,1 who had been sent
out with a similar mission by the Dutch Government.
This was a very fortunate circumstance for Masson, for
Thunberg was not only a capable botanist, but companion-
able, and highly accomplished. They got as far as the
Kaffir country, whence they were compelled to return
from a successful botanic trip in consequence of the
hostility of the natives.

In December, 1774, Masson sallied forth again upon
another dangerous journey. He reached a point over
five hundred miles northward from Cape Town, and
brought away a superb collection of plants and shrubs.
Four hundred new species of plants were consigned to
Kew, and reached their new home safely. Among
the more important of these were specimens of the beauti-
ful Ericas, which have since flourished so well in this
country under careful culture. (Indeed, it may be said
that the Cape Ericas have greatly improved under
European cultivation ; many of them were originally
scrubby little plants whose chief merit was their novelty.)

In 1776, Masson was back in London. He was received
with due honour. A paper of his was published in the
Philosophical Transactions, LXVI. Banks was overjoyed
at his success, and extolled everywhere Masson's zeal
and intelligence.

Such was the beginning of a career that never flagged
in usefulness. He travelled in Portugal, again in South
Africa, and spent some years in the West Indies ; and

1 Charles Peter Thunberg, afterwards Professor of Botany at
Upsala University ; member of twenty-four European learned societies,
including the Royal and the Linnean. He was in London in 1778 (v.
Resa uti Europa, Africa, Asia . . . 1770-79), where he found his old
fellow -student Dryander. He was taken to Banks's house, and received
by Solander " in the politest manner." Banks showed him all possible
attention. ..." I accordingly spent the forenoon of every day in his
house, and went all through his Herbarium, which was a most com-
modious as well as efficacious method of enlarging my stock of know-
ledge. . . . Several learned gentlemen assembled here as though it
were to an Academy of Natural History."

H

9-3 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

at length went to Canada. Here his life ended pre-
maturely, from exposure to the climate after so many
years in tropical and sub-tropical countries.

Banks remained a firm friend to Masson all his days.
He was proud of Masson 's achievements, and was at-
tracted by his personality. As he says, in a stray memo-
randum, Masson had ingratiated himself with all those
who made Natural History an amusement. And his
name is held in honour at Kew to this very day.1

King George III has sometimes been styled " Farmer
George." It is not clear how much, or how little, of
contempt is involved in this title ; but it is certain the
British public has never been enlightened on the King's
farming experiments.2 Yet a great part of the King's

1 A Note on Plant Collecting : It should be mentioned that this
obscure but useful profession was represented, before Banks's days, in
the persons of several remarkable adventurers. It would seem to be
almost a virgin field in literature to tell their story in all its rich and
varied fullness. There were enthusiastic plant-hunters from the days
of John Evelyn, by whose labours (as of hewers of wood and drawers of
water) the gardens of England were enriched with exotics. The whole
story of Sir Hans Sloane, for example, has never yet been told ; although
the materials are national property and quite accessible.

* There is, indeed, a portentous-looking biography with the title
Farmer George. But there is little or nothing of agriculture in it from
the first page to the last. We have not space here to make full amends
for this seeming neglect. But it is worth while, in addition to what
follows in the text, to present the following (unpublished) letter from
one of Banks's cronies.

-.,:; ; Dr. Samuel Lysons to Sir Joseph Banks.

" ClRENCESTER, August l8, 1788.

" DEAR SIR, — You desired me to give you some account of what
His Majesty was doing in Gloucestershire. I shall be glad if I can tell
you anything you have not already seen in the newspapers. I spent
a few days at Cheltenham, and heard much of his conversation
on the walks. He appears much delighted with the environs of
that place, which are indeed very beautiful. He rode, walked,
and talked much, with the country gentlemen of that neighbour-
hood, who seemed much pleased with him, and he with them.
Mr. Hunt, the Chairman of our Quarter Sessions, who lives about a mile
from Cheltenham, seemed to be his most constant companion in his
rides. He experienced greater attention in the country than he has
received, I believe, for many years. It made Cheltenham very un-
pleasant as a public place ; everyone being expected to stand bare-
headed wherever His Majesty appeared. It is extremely diverting to

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 99

time was devoted to his farm. And his interests were
shared with many enterprising country gentlemen. Sir
Joseph Banks had become as ardent a farmer as he was a
horticulturist. He seems to have carried the King along
with him. About the year 1787, the question of improving
the quality of wool was in the minds of most of the
spirited country gentlemen who cared for their estates.
The impulse given to the farming interest was largely

hear the various accounts the common people give of him. But they
all agree in saying he looks like a very good-natured, merry gentleman ;
those, indeed, who expected to see him with his crown and sceptre
appear rather disappointed at finding that he wears a round hat and
brown wig. He talks to the farmers whom he meets, and stay'd some
time at a door to see some wool weighed ; and talked much about the
price of it : His people (he said) fooled away his this year. Last
Thursday he came into what we call the bottoms, to see the clothing
manufacture, which was shewn him at Mr. Cooper's, a clothier who
lives near Sir Geo. Paul's. The whole progress of the manufacture,
from the picking the wool to the folding the cloth, was very judiciously
disposed in separate divisions on the lawn of his garden. His Majesty
seemed much delighted with every part of it, particularly the weaving
and shearing the cloth ; and called the Queen and the Princesses about
him to explain to them what had been explained to him : he told them
they should wear scarlet cloth great-coats ; but they begged to be
excused in the summer.

"It is said there were near twenty thousand people assembled round
the place ; and I think it is possible, as that part of the country is
very populous, and it was announced to every village within ten miles
some days before. This visit was to have been on the day preceding ;
and the following notice was cried by the bell-man of Minchinhampton,
a town in the neighbourhood : ' This is to gee nautis that the King
dwe not caal at Lord Geo. Paal's till Thusdy.'

" They breakfasted at Sir George's, who entertained His Majesty
with the plans of the gaol and bridewell buildings in this county, and
went from thence to Lord Ducie's. The country people were much
delighted with hearing the King say it was one of the pleasantest
days he had ever spent. He says that he intends coming to Cheltenham
again next year, and reviewing the Gloucestershire Militia ; and he is
then to visit the Duke of Beaufort, and Lords Berkeley, Bath, and
Bristol. I fear I have tired you with so much on the same subject ; but
we have, I think, nothing else to talk about here, unless it be to tell
you the apples seem more numerous than the leaves in the orchards
throughout the vale of Gloucester ; that the harvest is almost got in,
even on our Cotswold Hills ; and the second crop of grass has been
very abundant. . . .

" The Thames and Severn navigation goes on very well. They say
it will be completed in a year. If the marriage of those rivers should
be celebrated whilst the King is here, there will be fine doings, I dare say.

" With best compliments to Lady Banks and your sister," etc.

ioo THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

served by Arthur Young and Sir John Sinclair in co-opera-
tion with Banks.

Mr. Young is the most enthusiastic and industrious
writer on agriculture ever known. His success in this line
was due to a highly intelligent mind served by the pen
of a ready writer. You find from Young that eloquence,
once more, may be used in dealing with an economic
topic. But these things could never have given him
the great success in popular favour which he enjoyed,
without a thoroughly practical manner of going to work.
He led a strenuous life of experiment and observation.
He made some mistakes and erroneous conclusions, and
had to meet severe criticism ; but his extraordinary
industry, and his unselfish public services, gave an
authority to his utterances which could not be marred by
occasional failure. In acquiring information, he pressed
into his services every one, including the King himself,
who was at all capable of adding to his stores of inform-
ation. George III even put his pen to the service of
the good cause.1

Sir John Sinclair was a man of different stamp from
Arthur Young. Whereas the latter was kept compara-
tively poor, by his readiness for experiment, Sinclair
had a wonderful power of influencing other men and
inspiring them with his own public spirit. At his instance,
many of the Scottish landlords, and some Englishmen,
turned to agricultural improvement. The science of
farming attained a certain amount of dignity. People
began to see the value of true economic principles,

1 v. Annals of Agriculture, 1786, 1799. Two papers signed Ralph
Robinson, commended by the Editor as of " singular talent and clear-
ness." They relate to the husbandry of William Duckett, a well-known
farmer of the day ; who had invented a plough which turned well over
the sward and threw it into each furrow, while the machine covered
that up at the same time. Duckett rented large farms at Esher, at Ham,
and at Petersham. He was awarded the gold medal of the Board of
Agriculture and successive prizes from the Society of Arts. He died in
1802, aged 72. The King was associated with him for more than thirty
years.

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE 'III/;. \

and their application to the duties appertaining to
Property. Consequently other interests were improved :
fisheries, house-building, clothing, sanitation, etc. were
benefited by this awakening. Thus the two last decades
of the eighteenth century saw the resources of the country
immensely improved. Sinclair was a most laborious
statistician ; without this aptitude, indeed, his plans and
ideas could not have been so convincing. Because of all
this, men like Sir Joseph Banks, whose own doings
were not clouded in verbosity and pretence, recognized
in Sir John Sinclair a true helper and reformer.

Sir John has left on record an appreciation of Banks,
with especial reference to the fact that he did not meddle
with politics. The latter wished to keep Agriculture out
of that sphere, content that the Royal Society should
continue to regard it as a scientific matter rather than an
economic one. For this reason, Banks was at first opposed
to the establishment of a Board of Agriculture. After,
however, Sinclair had caused the President of the Royal
Society to have a seat on the Board ex officio, and he had
been induced to take some active part in its proceedings,
Banks came to see the Board in a more favourable light,
and eventually turned out a very useful member.

The King was heart and soul in these things. And from
this period till the day when he was finally incapacitated
by illness, his farms were matter of constant attention.
We have no space to go very fully into the subject,
but the fact of Sir Joseph Banks being concerned will be
some excuse for giving the reader a peep into an almost
unknown side of the King's personal career. When the
authoritative life of George III comes to be written,
there will be surprising revelations in every direction.
For the present, the incidents now to be mentioned will
go far to show what a very lively share he had in the
activities pertaining to the life of the humblest yeoman.

TC2 TTIE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Sir Joseph Banks to the King.

(August 10, 1787.)

" Sir Joseph Banks having been unsuccessful on
Tuesday last at Kew, when he attended in the Botanic
Garden in hopes of delivering the enclosed paper to Your
Majesty, thought it best by last night's post to request
that two Rams and four Ewes of the finest Spanish breed
might be procured for him and sent home with all ex-
pedition.

" Knowing that the migrating flocks leave Old Castile,
which is the neighbourhood of Bilbao, in autumn, on
their journey to the confines of Portugal, where they spend
the winter, he conceived the utmost despatch to be
necessary lest they should have begun their journey
before the order could be executed. Fearing also that

whenever Dr. D 's pamphlets, which Your Majesty

has perused, fell into the hands of any well-informed
Spaniard, the prejudice of Spanish wool being subject to
degeneration which may have been raised by the French
for the purpose of obtaining the Sheep would be done
away, he is not sure but that he should have ordered a
large number. But he can by this night's post either
countermand those already ordered, if His Majesty's
pleasure, which he will be ever solicitous to obey, is
signified to him."

The King to Sir Joseph Banks.1

" ST. JAMES'S, August 10, 1787.

" The King is much hurt he was not apprized on
Tuesday last that Sir Joseph Banks was at Kew, (indeed,
he never heard of it till he received his note this day) as he
would have found time to have seen him. The King is
much pleased that two Rams and four Ewes are sent for,

1 The original of this letter is in the collection of Mr. A. M. Broadley.

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 103

and should wish the commission could be extended to
twenty Ewes and ten Rams ; as, from the judicious
remark of Sir Joseph Banks that Spain may soon find the
evil of granting such Exportations, it may not be possible
long to continue acquiring those useful animals.

" The King trusts this number from Bilbao will not
stop the attempts of getting some through France, as well
as others through Portugal.

" The extract of the letter from Madrid is not returned ;
as it is supposed Sir Joseph Banks does not want it."

The King to Sir Joseph Banks.

" QUEEN'S HOUSE, November 29, 1787.

" The King is sorry to hear Sir Joseph Banks is still
confined ; and though it is the common mode to con-
gratulate persons on the first fit of the gout, he cannot
join in so cruel an etiquette.

" He is glad to find that a small flock of sheep are
near arriving, as he thinks it may be a means of im-
proving the wool of this country, which he thinks a most
national object. The hope that, through Portugal,
Spanish Sheep will also be obtained, seems now to have a
good appearance."

There must have been some activity at this time in
the importation of Spanish sheep. This is not the
consignment from Bilbao, recently mentioned (August 10);
but a flock of some size which had doubtless been con-
ducted by road from Spain through France, and trans-
ferred across from Calais. Mr. Walcot, agent for His
Majesty's packet-boats at Dover, is in communication
with Banks (December 26) on the matter of their em-
barkation. "... Captain Sutton of the Union packet-
boat is particularly charged with this commission. I can
venture to assure you, Sir, that a more attentive and

104 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

able person could not have the execution of it. A barn,
with turnips, coleseed, corn, etc. was bespoke, as well as a
tilted cart if it shall be necessary. I have wrote to Mr.
Mouron at Calais with the mail of this night. I wish, sir,
to assure you that unnecessary expense shall not be
incurred, though your desire of a proper liberality shall
not be forgotten. ..."

" Mr. R. Thompson at Dover has a very roomy good
stable for the sheep on their arrival from Calais, and a
field to air them in, with turnips, corn, etc. Also a steady
Romney Marsh drover can be had to accompany Sir
Joseph's servants with them to town, who is acquainted
on the road, and knows how to get the usual drover's
accommodation for flocks. Captain Sutton, if the
weather should make it in the least necessary, will ' take
every precaution to prevent the sheep from being thrown
from side to side/ "

The flock was pretty large. But the affair was well
managed. All arrived at Dover in very good condition ;
one ewe having yeaned on board, and another dropped her
lamb since. Others had family prospects. The number
in all was forty-two sheep and six lambs ; and there was
none of them lame, so the shepherd was prepared to
start almost immediately for London. He counted on
twelve miles a day.

Upon the first importation of the merino sheep (about
1790), the English and Scottish breeders were soon im-
pressed by the extremely beautiful quality of their wool.
The experimental admixture of breeds went on with
considerable zest, and with much addition to the average
weight of the fleece. It became almost the favourite
subject of competition with the best noblemen and gentle-
men of the day, whose first care in life was a high standard
of condition on their own estates, combined with a belief
in the need for nurturing the country's race of agricul-
turists.

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 105

The value of a good sheep of the new mixed breed
at length became extraordinary. The first ram sold at the
first sale of the King's flock, in 1804, fetched forty-two
guineas. The average price at the second sale was thirty-
eight pounds. Banks, writing to Mr. Dillwyn, tells of a
farmer whom he has just parted with who, getting a new
lease in Wiltshire, " meant to begin by buying a thirty-
eight pounder of the King's shepherd." In 1802 the prices
had been higher than this. Ewes were known to have
been sold at sixty-five guineas — Banks, on one occasion,
conveys an offer from a friend to give Lord Sherborne one
hundred pounds apiece for four rams.

In 1808, George III had a fine present made to him by
the Spanish Government, of a large flock of merino sheep.
They were 2214 in number, including about two hundred
intended for British Ministers and notables. These were
diminished in number by 427 that had died, either at sea,
or on the road between Portsmouth and Kew.

The flock was entrusted to Sir Joseph Banks for dis-
persal according to the King's wishes. They were not
to be sold ; but, as he stated to Sir John Sinclair, " they
are to be distributed to persons most likely in my opinion
to increase and improve them, at the charge of their
importation and expenses." His short circular to the
public runs thus :

" Merino Sheep. — All persons who possess ewes of
pure merino race, and are desirous of increasing their
stock, are requested to apply to Sir Joseph Banks,
who has received the King's commands to distribute a
considerable flock, newly imported from Spain, among
such persons as are most likely to preserve them free from
all admixture, and to improve their form by judiciously
matching them in breeding : giving a due preference to
those who have manifested their approbation of this kind
of stock by having already provided themselves with

106 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

the breed, but who have not yet obtained a sufficient
increase to be able to supply the wants of their neigh-
bours who wish to improve their British wools by the
aid of this valuable cross. Letters addressed to Sir
Joseph Banks, Soho Square, London, will be duly attended
to. He requests to be correctly informed of the actual
number of pure merino ewes, ewe tegs, and ewe lambs,
each applicant is now in possession of, and of the source
from whence the breed was originally procured.

" Sir Joseph Banks will be thankful to gentlemen who
will inform him what was the average weight of the
pure merino fleeces of the clips of 1808 and 1809, and
what price per pound they were sold for, with the name
of the purchaser."

In the spring of 1809 there was another immense deal
in sheep which became of much interest to Banks and the
leading breeders of the country.

Mr. Cochrane Johnstone wrote from Seville reporting
that he had just bought " the finest flock of merino
sheep that ever existed," twelve thousand in number,
recently the property of a Spanish nobleman, an adherent
of Bonaparte, and probably a sufferer in his cause.
Both Sir John Sinclair and Sir Joseph Banks were com-
municated with. The difficult question of transport to
England was the first ; a second one was how to deal
with them when they arrived. He said to Banks, " This
is a great national object, as great a one as driving the
French out of Spain. . . . The King has to thank me for
getting four thousand of them. I have got eight thousand
by paying for them." A very good speculation if they
could have been carefully got to this country and fed
properly. As the matter stood, it was like presenting a
schoolmaster with twelve thousand peg-tops.

Sir Joseph wrote to Lord Bathurst, asking what was
to be done. Could he get an order from the Treasury

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 107

for sufficient transports ? Bathurst was more inclined to
discountenance the whole affair. Cochrane Johnstone
had acted without authority ; and where would the
Government be, if the consignees declined the responsi-
bility which he had placed in their hands ? The sheep
would be left on the hands of the Government at an
enormous expense.

The consignees were Sir John Sinclair and Mr. William
Cobbett : the latter, according to Cochrane Johnstone,
" the friend of all thoroughly national objects, and as
good a farmer as any in England." Cobbett, with his
hands already full, took the public into his confidence,
and announced the pending arrival of the sheep. He
expects to have the care and management of them (out
of friendship for the owner, unless he himself reaches
London in time enough to look after them). He asks
that any gentleman with some good wholesome pasture
to spare for a month or two will be so good as to write
him on the subject. He has himself provided plenty of
pasture, but requires more, anywhere within twenty
miles of Botley. The famous Political Register was
simply boiling with controversial matter just now :*
the War, Parliamentary Reform, Col. Wardle and Mr.
Madocks, and the general Infamy of everybody. Yet
Cobbett seemed, at such times, still an agriculturist
first of all. It was so now. It would have been an odd
thing (and not altogether unprofitable, perhaps), to see
Banks and Cobbett as coadjutors in the disposal of this
flock.

But it was not to be. We have no record of the final
issue of this affair. As for Cochrane Johnstone, he was
an adventurer pure and simple.

The probability is that a portion of this immense flock
of sheep reached England, and that some fell to the King's
share ; and, together with the lot of 1808, were being

1 May- June, 1809.

io8 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

dealt with by Banks. There are some allusions to the
business in his available correspondence. We writes
to his friend John Dillwyn in South Wales (September 18,
1809) :

" MY DEAR SIR, — It always gives me pleasure to obey
your commands. In the present case, however, I have
little hope of indulging myself. The flock of merino sheep,
from which those were ordered for distribution by the
King, were in the course of the campaign taken by the
French, and soon after retaken by the Spaniards. The
French, however, succeeded in driving off and securing
480 of the rams. The number, therefore, sent over and
yet expected is very small indeed. It is not of so much
consequence as it might seem, for it is quite impossible
for me to proceed with the distribution this year (as the
sheep already arrived are in a shocking state of feebleness)
with any hope of doing right, till I can ascertain the
numbers to be divided and the extent and number of the
applications that will be made for them. I have already
abundance, and every day's post brings me as many
letters as half a day's work will answer."

In the summer of 1805 there was a misunderstanding
between Banks and the King, the first in all their long
friendship of more than thirty years. It began, of course,
with a rather intemperate word on one side and wounded
pique on the other. At the period in question, George III
was beginning to display that hasty temper which was
the prelude of his last illness. Sir Joseph was more ready
to take offence than of old, and the utterance of a reproach
on the part of the King wounded him to the quick. The
circumstances are as follows :

Mr. R. F. Greville, in attendance on the King at
Weymouth, told Banks by letter of His Majesty's general
satisfaction at the success of the annual sale of Rams, but

KEW GARDENS— GEORGE III 109

was angry because Banks had " not kept faith with the
public/' who were led to expect that the flock would be
sold by public auction only. Yet Mr. Coke had been
allowed to purchase some independently. Now Mr.
Snart (whose status as an official at Windsor is not easily
identifiable) had managed this part of the business
with Banks's concurrence, but without satisfactory
explanations to the King. In reply to Sir Joseph's
reprobation of the unkindly charge, Mr. Greville wrote
the next day to say that all was calm again. ' The King
came up to me yesterday, and in great good-humour
said he now understood the business of the sheep better.
... I am writing to desire you to forget the flurry,
which I trust has passed away ; and you need not renew
the recollection by any marked explanation just now."

But Sir Joseph was not so easily mollified. He had
reason to believe that Snart had not dealt fairly with
him when reporting the business to the King. He sent
word to Snart that he was about to resign his connection
with the management of the King's flock, and wrote as
follows to Mr. Greville :

(August 20, 1805.)

" MY DEAR SIR, — I enclose a justification of my conduct
respecting the sheep, drawn up as concisely as I am able
to do it. I hope it will not appear to you too long.
Whether you use it in the whole or in part, and the
manner in which you introduce it, I must leave wholly
to your prudence and friendship. This Flurry, as you call
it, appears to me deeper than meets the eye. The ex-
plosion was delayed from the time you first mentioned
the circumstance till the Catalogue gave a proper oppor-
tunity for a vent. It was not the ebullition of a moment,
but a concerted menace, or I am mistaken.

" Great, therefore, as the misfortune will be to me
to lose His Majesty's good will, I must make up my mind
with fortitude to the event, whatever it may be ; and as

no THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

I have the consolation of being certain that I do not
deserve it, I trust I shall be able to bear it.

" We have both observed that for some years past
His Majesty's mind has been much more irritable and
less placable than it formerly was. I do not now recollect
an instance of any one, of whom he has said so hard a
thing as he has said of me, being restored to confidential
favour ; and it will be far better for me to be dismissed
than to remain upon sufferance only. I feel a friendship
for the King, and if it is returned as it used to be can
never forego it. But coldness from a friend I can never
support. ..."

Greville replied with assurances that everything was
most satisfactory with the King, who was " quite affected
and much grieved that Banks took it so much to heart."
But Banks told Greville frankly that he had not got
over his surprise. He did not expect, if the King felt a
friendship for him, to become the victim of anger origi-
nating in the want of information that might be had
without difficulty. He did not like being dismissed by
" a declaration that my intentions were good which
implies that my conduct was bad." He pressed his wish
to resign his duties. In the course of the following
summer the King accepted his resignation, "if it must
be," with unqualified approval of the zeal and ability
with which Banks had conducted His Majesty's affairs.

But, after all this, we find Banks as full as ever of the
King's farming business ; and he continued to be suffi-
ciently busy with sheep until the terrible blow fell,
which caused His Majesty's private affairs to be put into
commission.

CHAPTER VII
PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC.

WHEN Banks, in May, 1771, was on his
voyage home from the South Seas with
Captain Cook, the Endeavour stopped at
St. Helena ; and the naturalists made good
use of their opportunity for studying the resources of
the island. In the three days of their stay a great deal
of useful information was gathered. Indeed, their active
habits of observation must have had a strong impulse,
as the reader will see who turns to the last chapter of
Banks's Journal. There is scarcely a better account of
St. Helena in existence.

One of Banks's acquaintances there was Daniel
Corneille, an officer of the East India Company. This
was one of the many men who were incited by his example.
Early in 1787, Corneille returned to England for good,
after twenty-three years' service with the Company ;
the latter part of this period having been devoted to the
study of Natural History. It was long before it occurred
to him to communicate with Mr. Banks ; but as years
rolled on, and rumours of Banks's renown which he
would hear from passing ships reached his ears, he ven-
tured upon claiming old acquaintanceship. He sent a
dried fish, which he could not recognize ; and thought it
might be worthy of a place with Banks's other natural
curiosities.

Banks must have written a cordial reply to this letter.
Corneille responded at some length, with an account of

in

ii2 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

his proceedings, and his special endeavours in horticul-
ture ; and an exhibition of his gratification on finding
that his re-introduction was so welcome. He had been
in communication with Masson, then at the Cape of Good
Hope ; and suggested that he should be instructed to
spend a few weeks at St. Helena. That Corneille was in
earnest, and further encouraged by Sir Joseph's letters,
is clear from the influence left behind him on the Island
at his retirement. His successor was Robert Brooke,
another officer of the East India Company ; a rather
remarkable man, who had displayed good military talent,
and a character for inflexible integrity during many years
of active service. Since his retirement he had lived in
Dublin, and taken pains to encourage the cotton manu-
facture in Ireland. His efforts were rewarded by what
may be called moral success, accompanied by financial
failure. On reminding John Company of his former
services and present need, they made him Governor of
St. Helena in succession to Mr. Corneille. He was active
and sensible in his rather trying post, and originated
several improvements. The legacy of Horticulture fell
into excellent hands, and Brooke proved a good helper
and correspondent of Sir Joseph. His gardener, Henry
Porteous, seems to have been a practical and observant
man ; coming well under the influence of Banks, and
promising to become an accomplished botanist. Banks
corresponded direct with him, apparently having dis-
covered an apt pupil.

The East India Company carefully nursed St. Helena
in those days. They wanted a capable Governor of the
Island. After 1787 it was very advantageous to their
service for European troops to be acclimatized here in
preparation for India. According to Porteous, they had
gardens allotted them, and milch cows : "As the Governor
begged I would give them every assistance that lay in my
power, in compliance with his orders I am always happy."

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 113

Colonel Robert Patton, who succeeded Mr. Brooke,
about 1801, continued to promote the views of Sir
Joseph Banks and to take a watchful interest in the
St. Helena Gardens.

The East India Company had an appalling task at
this period of their history. But their political troubles
did not render them unmindful of the material benefits
which it was possible to furnish for the people subject to
their government. There was always a select body
among the officials, high and low, that had these things
uppermost in their minds. The great granary in Behar,
raised by Warren Hastings, will always be an honourable
monument to his memory. His successor, Lord Corn-
wallis, exerted himself in many ways to soften the rigours
of existence among the native population. Cornwallis
arrived out in 1786, as Governor of Bengal, At this date,
plans were being arranged for transplanting fruit and
other trees into Bengal which should improve the sup-
plies of food. One scheme was to bring the sago palm
from Malacca, in order to form a stock at Calcutta, from
which a system of transportation to the principal towns
in the province might be established, so that in time every
village should possess the boon. The Persian date palm
was another importation, which it was hoped would
become a constant resource against famine.

Sir George Yonge was in frequent communication with
Lord Cornwallis, and entered into these projects earnestly.
It appears to be due to the pertinacity of Colonel Kyd,1
that a Botanic Garden was at last established in Calcutta ;
and it was presently placed under his superintendence.

Meanwhile, there were several ardent Naturalists,
either settled in India or wandering about the archi-
pelago. They were frequently in communication with

1 Robert Kyd, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Bengal Infantry. Sir
Joseph Hooker, who visited Calcutta Botanic Garden in his early days,
has word of high praise for Colonel Kyd's work,

I

H4 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Sir Joseph Banks, or with Dr. Solander, who appear to
have held them in high esteem. Really, they should
deserve recognition with every one who knows the great
strides made by them in advancing Botanical Science.

Dr. Konig, for example, was a most remarkable man.
He was a native of Livonia ; had studied under Linnaeus ;
and went on a botanic expedition to Iceland in 1765.
One of his discoveries there was the tiny plant since
called Konigia. He went to India about the year 1768,
as physician to the Danish settlement in the Carnatic.
His high qualifications were speedily recognized at all
the English and Danish settlements on the coast. His
simple and conciliating manners, and his unvarying
readiness to impart knowledge to others, together with
extraordinary enthusiasm when at work, captivated every-
body. Having entered the service of the Nabob of Arcot,
as naturalist, he presently travelled ; * and afterwards
threw in his lot with the Honourable East India Company.
He regularly corresponded with Solander. He died in
1785, prematurely worn out with his exertions and
fatigues, leaving all his papers to Banks.

A very important character who figures in this section
of Banks's circle is Dr. William Roxburgh, the pioneer
exponent of the Indian Flora.

Born in Ayrshire in 1751, he became one of the more
distinguished botanical pupils of Dr. Hope, He started
in life as assistant-surgeon on an East Indiaman, and on
reaching Madras, in 1776, secured a similar appointment
at the General Hospital there. In 1781 he was stationed
as Surgeon to the garrison at Samulcotta. Here, in the
midst of his professional duties, he found plenty of scope
for the pursuit of his favourite science. His garden was
devoted to the cultivation of spices and Economic plants.
Coffee, cinnamon, the bread-fruit, the mulberry, etc.,

1 v. Journal of a voyage from India to Siam and Malacca, in 1779, by
Dr. John Gerard Konig. MSS. in Nat. Hist. Museum.

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 115

were introduced into the plantation ; and he even tried
to produce silk, and to manufacture sugar. He soon
became remarkable for the devotion which he put into
his endeavours to improve the natural resources of the
country. Years afterward, we find him in charge of the
Botanic Garden at Calcutta, in succession to Colonel
Kyd. After a noble record of more than thirty years'
work in India he came home to England, and took high
rank with the veteran Botanists of the day. A fitting
monument to Roxburgh exists in his Flora Indica,
published after his death. While in India, that part of
his drawings, etc., which had survived the storms and
risks of transportation were collected by Sir Joseph
Banks, and published by the East India Company.1

Dr. Roxburgh first appears as a correspondent of
Sir Joseph in a letter dated March 8, 1779, when he
acknowledges a communication from him, and expresses
his surprise and delight at being found out : " About a
month ago I was honoured with your very agreeable
letter of March 25, 1778. Till then I did not flatter
myself that any collection of seeds or specimens of plants
I could make would be half so acceptable as you say, or
I would not have waited for your orders ; for I wish to
send such things to every person that will pay proper
attention to them, and not let them be lost." Then he
plunges into Botany ; and finishes with a reference to
Dr. Konig, who " is now on a voyage to the Islands in the
Straits of Malacca, and Siam. I hope to have my garden
greatly enriched by the labours of this voyage. He is
the most indefatigable man I ever saw. Many a day
we have spent together in the woods on this coast."
Roxburgh met Dr. Konig again at Tranquebar in 1782,
after his Siamese excursion, and henceforth much of their
botanical work was done in company. A hearty friend-

1 Plants of the Coast of Coromandel (3 vols., folio), with preface and
notice of Roxburgh, by Dr. Patrick Russell.

n6 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

ship was now grown up between them which lasted to the
end. In December, 1785, he alludes to the death of
Konig, whom all seem to concur in praising with con-
siderable warmth. In his last will he left to Banks " all
his manuscripts, and specimens of plants, with orders
to me to send them by the first safe conveyance ; which I
have now done by delivering them to the Governor of
Madras with a request they may be sent home addressed
to the Directors as part of the ship's packet." After
1790 Roxburgh's letters to Banks were very frequent.
His indefatigable career in India lasted until 1804.

The successor of Konig to the post of Naturalist to
the East India Company, in the Carnatic, was Patrick
Russell, M.D. This was one of three clever brothers from
Midlothian.

Alexander was settled a long time at Aleppo, whither
Patrick followed him. They were active in studying and
combating the plague. Alexander wrote a History of
Aleppo, which was much esteemed at the time, while the
leisure of his brother was devoted to Fishes, Snakes, and
Plant-life. Claud, the youngest, went to India, appointed
administrator of Vizagapatam. Patrick went out with
him. From his very arrival, he began writing long letters
to Sir Joseph Banks. Every six months an able and
amusing chronicle poured forth from his pen. If it were
possible we would include the whole of them in our story.
As it is, a few extracts must satisfy us ; enough to display
the merit of a good and kindly and witty man ; and an
indefatigable Botanist who left enduring evidences of his
scientific worth.

On his voyage out, Dr. Russell had leisure to finish
the Medical History of Aleppo.

He reached Vizagapatam in December, 1782.

". . . We landed at Tranquebar, June 6, and re-
mained there till the 22nd. Dr. Konig arrived a few days
before our departure, and I had the pleasure of making

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 117

one short acquaintance with him. It was not safe, on
account of Hyder's troops, to venture to any distance
from the fort. He looked over my Aleppo catalogue, and
informed me for my consolation that I must not expect
to meet with above thirty of the plants in that catalogue
in this country. I am in hopes of a visit from Konig
at this place, as he talks of coming to the northward ;
and my brother has given him a pressing invitation. In
the meanwhile, I am not idle here. I have already col-
lected a good many specimens, and purpose sending you
at a venture such plants as I find marked in the Hortus
Malabaricus [by Rheedes], or such as I am puzzled about
in Rumphius [Herbarium Amboinense]. If you wish for
any fresh specimens for your collection of better known
plants, you need only send me a list, and I hope it is
superfluous to assure you that I shall endeavour with
great pleasure to procure them. . . *

" I unluckily left Willughby x behind me, and am
totally unprovided with books on Birds and Fishes, ex-
cept a small edition of Buffon which I found here ; and
which, having few figures, is of little use for the Birds,
I sometime ago directed Willughby to be sent me, but
wish to have such books added as you may judge most
proper on the subject of Birds and Fishes in this country.
I likewise wish to make a small useful addition to my
botanical library, which consists at present, beside the
whole of Linnaeus, the Hortus Malabaricus, and Rum-
phius's Herb. Amboin. I have wrote Solander on the
subject, but request likewise your advice.

" We are at present in the most delicious season imagin-
able. Were it not for the agreeable circles round a good
fire, it would chill all my faculties to think of spending
another Christmas in London. England has one other
attraction in skating ; and I am not without hopes of
accompanying you to Hyde Park."

1 Omithologia (London, 1676; transl. by Ray, 1678).

n8 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

(July 6, 1783.) "... By the arrival of the last fleet,
I learned with inexpressible concern, the death of my
worthy friend Solander. I found I was not half the Stoic
I thought myself."

(December 26, 1784.) Dr. Russell has news of the
squabbles at the Royal Society : " Independent of other
considerations, I am always pleased to see clerical pride
mortified ; and though I have as large a portion of re-
spect for Bishops as a worthy member of the Kirk ought
to have, yet I have generally remarked, when certain
objects are in view, that people of a certain denomination
are less scrupulous in respect to the means employed in
attaining them than men in other walks of life who affect
less dependence on Heaven. ... I have sent a small
parcel addressed to you, with one for Dr. Hope ; and
shall be very glad to hear how they thrive, for Konig
complains bitterly that they seldom from Europe acquaint
him with the success of the seeds he sends, which (he says)
does very much discourage his spirits, and makes him
lament sorely."

(July 9, 1785.) A very long letter mentions the death
of Dr. Konig. From the details of his movements, it
appears the Doctor set to work in an indifferent state
of health : was too impatient to rejoin, and this in spite
of Dr. Roxburgh having interdicted an immediate appli-
cation to work. Two days before his death he sealed up
carefully all the papers, etc., meant for Sir Joseph.

After a further complaint of want of books, Russell
further descants humorously on the Dissensions : "In
the Monthly Review for April, 1784, I found what was
before a mystery to me cleared up. ' And dwells such
bitter souls in holy men ! ' I find the first majority was
119 against 42, the second 85 against 47, the third 115
against 27, and then 102 against 23. ' Nevertheless the

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 119

minority feel no abashment/ Some of them it may be
presumed did feel abashment, if the minority dwindled
from 42 to 23. The other half was made up of d im-
pudent fellows incapable of blushing for anything. Had
the texture of the skin been capable of erubescence, all
their faces must have been as red as my Lord Kelly's
nose, when their flatulent leader bounced with so little
decency about secession. . . . Better not shew this at
the Shakespeare ; I do not mind Mr. Hamilton, but stand
in awe of Pitcairne."

In November, 1785, the Presidency of Madras " politely
nominated me as successor to Dr. Konig for the prosecu-
tion of researches in Natural History." This post he held
for about three years, with satisfaction in all quarters.
He sent a great deal of the results of his work to England.
In reply to a request from the East India Company,
Sir Joseph Banks wrote a lengthy and very favourable
Report on Dr. Russell and his labours ; and readily
offered his assistance in preparing their results for publi-
cation.

In further communications, he warmly praises his
friend Roxburgh, who had lost (May, 1787) all his papers
and most of his collections in a hurricane, yet had re-
paired his losses in course of time. He repeats his com-
plaint of want of books. Of another, he says : " I
once mentioned to you before that both Konig and
Roxburgh complained of very seldom hearing of the
success of the seeds sent home. I cannot help joining in
their lamentation ; and whatever you may think of it, it
is a real discouragement to us Wandering Collectors, of
which I shall convince you at meeting." When, how-
ever, he was in London again (October, 1789), he was
rewarded with hearty welcome, and appreciation of his
splendid work. As for his Snakes, he found them cutting
a respectable figure in the Museum, now neatly arranged.

120 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

"But I mean [he says] to re-examine them all." He
presently published an Account of Indian Serpents.
(London, 1796.)

It would fill many interesting volumes to recount the
adventures of Banks's wandering friends. The above
short detail will serve to indicate the vitality of all that
was going on behind the scenes ; while people at home
were reaping the fruits of these arduous labours, and re-
joicing in the sight of new and beautiful additions to their
gardens.

The islands of Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent, and
Tobago having been ceded to Great Britain at the Peace
of 1763, General Robert Melville was appointed His
Majesty's Governor-in-Chief. He entered upon his duties
on arrival at Grenada in December, 1764.

While making a tour of his Government, in the summer
of 1765, the General reached St. Vincent's, and met there
Dr. George Young, principal medical officer of the Island,
and Surgeon to the Forces. Both of these men were
examples of the public spirit which was a mark of the
times. Melville suggested to the Doctor that now was
the opportunity of establishing a Botanical Garden.
A fit situation on suitable soil, with running water acces-
sible, might easily be chosen for the purpose. The culti-
vation and improvement of many plants now growing
wild, and the importation of others from similar climates,
would be of great utility to the public, and vastly improve
the resources of the Island. The Society of Arts made
known by advertisement that they would give a premium1
for the improvement of horticulture in the West Indies.

1 The Society of Arts made a feature of their operations the giving
of rewards of this kind. Between 1752 and 1776 they distributed either
in medals or cash no less than £24,616. The Society filled a place in
matters of practical economy, which the Royal Society did not under-
take.

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 121

Doubtless, Sir Joseph Banks and Sir George Yonge were at
the bottom of this proposal. Banks had been a member
since 1764. General Melville put his heart into the matter.
When the sale of Crown Lands shortly afterward took
place, it was agreed that Young should apply for a piece
of land for a Botanic Garden. An allotment was presently
made by the Crown Commissioners, about a mile north of
the town of Kingston. It was at first about twenty acres
in extent. At his own expense, the Governor had it
cleared and planted, and appointed Dr. Young superin-
tendent. The ground was improved and cultivated ; and
furnished with a great variety of rare and beautiful exotics,
in addition to an ample culture of native plants. A
dwelling-house and laboratory were erected. Here the
Doctor remained in charge for a long time. In 1774 he
reported progress to the Society of Arts ; and they re-
warded him, in addition to their hearty approval, with
a present of fifty guineas.

General Melville's governorship ceased in 1771. His
successor was Valentine Morris, as Captain-General of the
Island ; an old friend of Sir Joseph Banks, and an ardent
horticulturist. He took up the interests of the garden
in earnest. During the Anglo-Franco-American War
St. Vincent suffered bitterly, but on the recession of the
Island to Great Britain in 1784 everything revived.
Alexander Anderson, who had been assistant-surgeon
with Dr. Young, was made superintendent, and soon
restored the garden to its former glories. He had many
difficulties at starting ; but official interference was
speedily nullified when Banks, and Sir George Yonge,1
and other friends came forward and testified to his zeal
and the value of his services. It appears from a memo-
randum of Sir Joseph, that the Marquis de Bouille,
French Governor of the Windward Islands during the
war, met General Melville in London. They fraternized,

1 Secretary for War, 1783-94.

122 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

as soldiers will in times of peace. On learning of the
partial ruin of Dr. Young's garden, and its confiscation,
de Bouille insisted on its being restored by the new pro-
prietor. Anderson remained in charge of the garden.
The Society of Arts did him honour on account of
his services, in 1798, by granting him a silver medal,
and nominating him a corresponding member. When
Bryan Edwards reported on the St. Vincent garden
in January, 1792, Dr. Anderson was still on duty. "It
was a scene for a painter as well as a botanist," he
says.1

The success of Dr. Young's garden at St. Vincent gave
rise to the proposal of a similar institution at Jamaica.
There is a letter of the indefatigable Dr. Hope to Banks
(September, 1775), in which he announces the vote of the
Jamaica House of Assembly in favour of a Botanic
Garden. Ten years of loving attention to the work had
(in spite of some vicissitudes in consequence of the war)
borne abundant fruit. The Botanical Department had
been the means of introducing and propagating some
of the most valuable plants, especially from the East
Indies, which had now become staple products of the
Islands. Dr. Clarke, the nominee of Professor Hope,
arrived out in 1777, and brought with him a number of
exotics from England, including the camphor tree and
the sago palm. The mango was introduced by one of
Lord Rodney's captains, when that victorious officer was
at the West Indies in 1782. Beside this official or semi-
official work, several planters added their labours to the
enriching of the Island. The gardens of Mr. Hinton East,
of Kingston, appear to have been the greatest triumph
of the sort, in a private way. Matthew Wallen, another
settler of long standing, was an ardent importer of exotic
plants. His zeal went so far as to collect and acclimatize
the hardy plants of temperate climes. As Bryan Edwards

1 History of the West Indies, 3rd ed., Ill, 262.

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 123

says,1 " To Mr. Wallen the Island owes the water-cress,
chickweed, wild pansy, groundsel, dead-nettle, dandelion,
honey-suckle, clover, violet, the English oak ; his garden
at Cold Spring is well-stocked with choice selections of
introduced flowers, and European trees and shrubs."
Mr. East, also, was not content without adding British
plants to his garden. His list contains such items as the
mullein, primrose, beet, carrot, celery, flax, asparagus,
barberry, holly, elder, and London Pride.

These and other gentlemen were always in touch by
letter with Sir Joseph Banks. The attention given to
detail, and the zeal with which they urge extension and
development, ran parallel with the warmth of their regard
for the men who originated these schemes and who con-
tinued to lead public spirit in their direction so far away
from home.

Hinton East was so successful with his plantations that,
after his death, the Jamaica authorities bought his gar-
den for the public use. He was specially desirous of add-
ing to the island supply of Economic plants. In a letter
to Banks (July, 1784) reporting progress, and offering
novel suggestions, he remarks that the acquisition of the
Bread-fruit would be " of infinite importance to the West
India Islands, in affording a wholesome and pleasant
food to our negroes, which would have the great ad-
vantage of being raised with infinitely less labour than
the plantain, and not be subject to danger from exces-
sively strong winds. The time is not very distant when
measures will be taken by proper authority for bringing
about this desirable event. . . . You have emboldened
me, by your very obliging offers, to say that plants of any
East Indian spices will be very acceptable."

The first suggestion of this project seems to come from
Valentine Morris. In a letter to Sir Joseph Banks, dated
St. Vincent's, April 17, 1772, Captain Morris states that

1 History of the West Indies, sth ed., I, 293.

124 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

he has considerable property in the Island, and that
the population are not always too well-off for food.
He proposes the introduction of the Bread-fruit tree,
and is certain it would be the greatest blessing to the
inhabitants.

Hinton East was in England in August, 1786. There
is mention, in a casual note, of the Senna Alexandria
(Cassia acutifolia), seeds of which Sir Joseph has given
him, which will go to Jamaica the first opportunity ;
where he fondly hopes " they may lay the foundation
of an export of that article in due course of time to this
country." A zealous man this Mr. East : one after
Banks's own heart. Other letters of his, after his return
to Jamaica, are in the same vein, always with practical
and far-sighted views. But 'twas now easy, in personal
conference with Sir Joseph, to raise with some energy
the question of acclimatizing the Bread-fruit tree in the
West Indies. When the idea was put before the King by
Sir Joseph, it was adopted with some alacrity. It was
just one of those schemes which appealed to the benevo-
lent heart of George III. No long time elapsed before
orders were given for getting ready a ship, on purpose for
an expedition to the South Sea Islands.

Mr. Joshua Steele, of Barbados, was one of the in-
creasing list of Banks's West Indian correspondents.
As one of the early members of the Society of Arts,
he belonged, doubtless, to Banks's circle in London. He
went to Barbados in 1780, in order to manage his estates
there personally. In this he was indefatigable, taking
great care of his people, and setting a general example
of well-doing. He was one of the foremost planters to
grapple with the question of slavery ; and probably a
leader of public opinion. In association with some other
gentlemen, he started a Barbados Society for the En-
couragement of Arts, etc. ; and proposed, in a letter to
Banks (July, 1781), their being admitted, in an aggregate

PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 125

capacity, a member of the Royal Society in London.
Banks was unable to promote this idea, as not quite in
the scope of their operations. But a similar proposal
was made to the Society of Arts, which was certainly a
more appropriate plan ; and the Barbados Society was
duly elected a " Corresponding Member."

All Mr. Steele's letters betoken a mind open to the
welfare of mankind and the improvement of its con-
ditions.

CHAPTER VIII
BLIGH'S VOYAGES

EARLY in 1787, it was determined that an
Expedition be undertaken to the South Seas,
with a view to collecting Bread-fruit trees
for transplantation in the West Indies.
Meanwhile, the idea had spread in the Islands, and more
than one correspondent informed Banks that the French
were determined to adopt a similar measure for their own
possessions. As it happened, the British Government
was forestalled in this experiment ; for a ship arrived at
Martinique in the following year, with a cargo of Bread-
fruit, cinnamon, and other plants in good order.

By the desire of Lord Sydney, Banks drew up instruc-
tions for David Nelson, the gardener. As a specimen of
many similar documents, which Banks was always careful
to write out for new collectors, it is introduced here in full.
With its close detail, and abounding knowledge of what-
ever was necessary, it is a remarkable indication of his
general ability to deal thoroughly with any matter he had
on hand. And it is not without intrinsic interest as
concerning the task in question.

" As the sole object of Government in chartering this
vessel in our service at a very considerable expense is to
furnish the West Indian Islands with the Bread-fruit
and other valuable productions of the East, the master
and crew of her must not think it a grievance to give up
the best part of her accommodations for that purpose.
The difficulty of carrying plants by sea is very great :

126

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 127

a small sprinkling of salt water, or of the salt dew which
fills the air even in a moderate gale, will inevitably destroy
them if not immediately washed off with fresh water. It
is necessary therefore that the cabin be appropriated
to the sole purpose of making a kind of greenhouse,
and the key of it given to the custody of the gardener ;
and that in case of cold weather in going round the Cape
a stove be provided, by which it may be kept in a tempera-
ture equal to that of the intertropical countries.

" The fittest vessels for containing the plants that can
easily be obtained I conceive to be casks, sawed down
to a proper height, and properly pierced in their bottoms
to let the water have a passage ; in both which articles
the gardener's directions must be followed. Of such
half-tubs, properly secured to the floor as near to each
other as they can stand, a considerable number may find
room in the cabin, each of which will hold several plants ;
and these I consider as a stock which cannot be damaged
or destroyed but by some extraordinary misfortune. As
these tubs, which will be very heavy, must be frequently
brought upon deck for the benefit of the sun, the crew
must assist in moving them ; as indeed they must
assist the gardener on all occasions in which he stands in
need of their help. Beside these must be provided tubs
so deep that the tops of the plants will not reach to their
edges. These must be lashed all round the Quarter Deck,
along the Boom, and in every place where room can
possibly be found for them, and for each a cover of canvas
must be made to fit it ; which covers it will be the duty
of the gardener to put on and take off as he judges fitting ;
and no one else must interfere with him in so doing on
any account whatever.

"As the plants will frequently want to be washed,
from the salt dampness which the sea air will deposit
upon them, beside allowance of water a considerable
provision must be made for that purpose ; but, as the

128 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

vessel will have no cargo whatever but the plants on
board, there will be abundant room for water-casks,
of which she must be supplied with as large a quantity
as possible, that the gardener may never be refused the
quantity of water he may have occasion to demand.

" No Dogs, Cats, Monkeys, Parrots, Goats, or indeed
any animals whatever must be allowed on board, except
Hogs and Fowls for the Company's use ; and they must
be carefully confined to their coops. Every precaution
must be taken to prevent or destroy the Rats, as often as
convenient. A boat with green boughs should be laid
alongside with a gangway of green boughs laid from the
hold to her, and a drum kept going below in the vessel
for one or more nights ; and as poison will constantly be
used to destroy them and cockroaches, the crew must
not complain if some of them who may die in the ceiling
make an unpleasant smell.

"As it is likely that the easterly winds will prevail
to the south of the Line from the month of March to that
of September, it is to be hoped that the vessel will be
fitted out with as much despatch as is convenient, with a
view of her not losing a year, which will be the case if she
misses the first monsoon.

" Her first destination will be New Zealand, where she
is to take on board two tubs of flax plants. From thence
she is to proceed to the Society Isles, where she must stay
till the gardener has produced a full stock of Bread-fruit
trees ; and if Otaheite, which will probably be visited
first, should not supply a sufficient number of such as are of
a proper age for transplanting, she must proceed to Imao,
Maitea, Huaheine, Ulietea, and Bolabola, and stay till
enough are procured.

" She is next to proceed toward the Endeavour Straits,
which separate New Holland from New Guinea ; and if
she wants water in her passage she may put into the
Friendly Isles in making the Straits, which lie in Lat.

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 129

10° 40'. The master must not be surprized if he falls
in with a reef. He may be assured that with a little
attention he may explore a passage through it. In these
Straits he must find some harbour in which he may fill
water, which there cannot be any difficulty in per-
forming.

" From thence to Prince's Island in the Straits of Sunda
will be the best run ; and if water should be wanted in the
passage, it may be procured at Java, where the Endeavour
watered. At Prince's Island the gardener will have some
trees to get on board, which may make it necessary to
spend some time there. From thence to the Isle of France
will be an easy run, and from thence round the Cape ;
at which place the ship must not touch unless there is
absolute necessity. They must proceed to St. Helena,
where she will receive orders from England pointing out
the places in the West Indies at which she is to touch
and deliver cargo."

The commander chosen for this Expedition was
William Bligh, Lieutenant, R.N. ; who had already served
in Polynesia under Captain Cook, as Master on board the
Resolution. Since those days he had been with the Fleet
in the West Indies ; and now reached home from Jamaica
in August, 1787. He learned on arrival the " flattering
news " that Sir Joseph Banks was awaiting him, having
secured his appointment to the Bounty.

The vessel was fitting out at Deptford. Bligh at once
joined her, and superintended the alterations in the
cabin and elsewhere, according to Banks's instructions.
The cabin was fitted with an extra floor, prepared for
the reception of flower-pots, according to the wishes of
the gardener, who preferred them to wooden casks. When
the ship got round to Spithead, David Nelson saw to the
embarkation of these pots, eight hundred in number,
of various sizes, " made deep to make room for more shells
for drainage."

130 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Bligh was elated and cheerful during these prepara-
tions, as was very natural. That Sir Joseph had fixed
his eye upon him during his absence could not but be
very gratifying. Banks thought very highly of those
men of Captain Cook's school who showed anything of
promise. Several of them benefited in their profession
through his personal knowledge of them. And a splendid
chance had thus come to Bligh.

Lieutenant Bligh to Sir Joseph Banks.

" SPITHEAD, November 5, 1787.

" SIR, — I think the ship very capable. . . . The master
[John Fryer] is a very good man, and gives me every
satisfaction, and I think between this and the latitude
of 60° S. I shall have them all in very good order. The
conduct of Nelson and the garden is satisfactory, and
we all seem embarked heartily in our cause, which I
shall cherish as much as possible. . . . My Surgeon may
be a very capable man, but his indolence and corpulency
render him rather unfit for the voyage. I think it would
be very proper for me to endeavour to get some young
man as surgeon's mate, and enter him as A.B. ... I
trust nothing can prevent me from completing my voyage
much to your satisfaction. Difficulties I laugh at. . . ."

A surgeon's mate was obtained for the ship, Thomas
Ledward by name. Bligh's apprehensions over the
surgeon were well-founded ; he died at Otaheite six weeks
after arrival, from an illness aggravated by indolence
and intemperance.

The Bounty sailed in November, 1787 ; but she was
weather-bound in the Channel. A new start was made from
Spithead on December 23, with a fine easterly breeze.
Silence now closed over the ship's company for upwards
of two years. At length a letter reached Sir Joseph Banks,
dated Batavia, October 13, 1789, revealing the story of the

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 131

mutiny, and the miserable failure of this well-intended
and well-thought-out enterprise.

Lieutenant Bligh to Sir Joseph Banks.

" BATAVIA, October 13, 1789.

" DEAR SIR, — I am now so ill that it is with the utmost
difficulty I can write to you ; but as I hope to be in
England before you can receive it, the necessary informa-
tion which may be omitted in this letter will be of no
consequence. I have, however, for your satisfaction
enclosed to you a short account of my voyage : it is
nearly a copy of what I have given to the Governor of
Coupang, and the Governor-General here, because my
weak habit of body will not allow me to do more.

" You will now, Sir, with all your generous endeavours
for the public good, see an unfortunate end to the under-
taking ; and I feel very sensibly how you will receive the
news of the failure of an Expedition that promised so
much. The anxious and miserable hours I have past
is beyond my description ; but while I have health the
strange vicissitudes of human affairs can never affect me.
Unfortunately, I have lost it at present, for, on my
arrival here, I was seized with a fever, which fixing in
my head made me almost distracted. But I am now
better, and am to sail in the packet on Thursday next,
which will save my life.

" You will find that the ship was taken from me in a
most extraordinary manner, and I presume to say it
could not have been done in any other way. I can,
however, promise to you that my honour and character
are without a blemish. And I shall appear before the
Admiralty as soon as I can, that my conduct may be
inquired into, and where I shall convince the world I
stand as an officer despising mercy and forgiveness, if my
conduct is at all blameable.

132 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" Had I been accidentally appointed to the command
the loss of the ship would give me no material concern.
But when I reflect that it was through you, Sir, who
undertook to assert I was fully capable ; and the Eyes
of every one regarding the progress of the voyage, and
perhaps more with envy than delight, I cannot say but it
affects me considerably. To those, however, who may be
disposed to blame, let them see I had in fact completed
my undertaking. What man's situation could be so
peculiarly flattering as mine twelve hours before the loss
of the ship ? Everything was in the most perfect order,
and we were well stored with every necessary both for
service and health. By early attention to those particu-
lars I acted against the power of chance, in case I could
not get through Endeavour Straits, as well as against any
accident that might befal me in them. And, to add to all
this, I had most successfully got all my plants in a most
flourishing and fine order. . . . Every person was in the
most perfect health, to establish which I had taken the
greatest pains, and bore a most anxious care through the
whole length of the voyage. I even rejected carrying
stock for my own use, throwing away the hen-coops and
every convenience. I roofed a place over the quarter-deck
and filled it with plants, which I looked at with delight
every day of my life.

" I can only conjecture that the Pirates (among whom
is poor Nelson's assistant) have ideally assured themselves
of a more happy life among the Otaheitans than they
could possibly have in England ; which, joined to some
female connections, has most likely been the leading cause
of the whole business. If I had been equipped with more
officers and marines, the piracy could never have hap-
pened.

" I arrived here -on the ist instant, and solicited the
Governor-General to be allowed a passage in the first
ship that sailed for Europe. But he has told me that he

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 133

could not possibly send us all in one ship ; and has con-
sented, as granting me a favour, to be allowed to go in
the packet ; for the Physician-General has represented
my life in danger if I remain here. I am," etc.

Shortly told, the circumstances were these. The
Bounty reached Otaheite on October 26, 1788, after a
tedious and sometimes dangerous voyage. The first
reception by the people was naturally doubtful, but
Bligh's discretion, and the watchful eye he kept upon the
dealings of m's crew, soon won them over. The chiefs
became hearty friends. They asked after Captain Toote
and their former visitors. Everything was done to
cement their good-will, and caution was exercised as to
revealing prematurely their designs.

At length, the relations between the islanders and
their visitors were altogether perfect. The process of
lading the ship was begun, and pursued not only without
difficulty, but on a basis of perfectly friendly trading
intercourse. At the end of five months there were on
board more than one thousand bread-fruit trees, beside
many other plants. Everything was in Bligh's favour.
So far his mission was accomplished. He sailed on April 4,
1789, with a " send-off " given by the chiefs to the ship's
company worthy of the heartiest of such things at
home.

But the Bounty had been too long at anchor. Six
months of easy life in the tropics had demoralized the
crew. Already symptoms of licence had appeared, in the
desertion of three seamen, who carried with them the
small cutter, with fire-arms and ammunition. On their
being recovered, Bligh was absurdly lenient. They were
abject in their expressions of regret, and their " steadfast
resolution to behave better hereafter." With others,
the resumption of discipline on board was irksome.
There was nothing, however, in the conduct of any one

134 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

which might warn the Commander of impending disaster ;
and that probably happened only because of one master-
spirit, and his sudden resolve. Bligh was in good heart
with his prospects, and had no forebodings. There was
nothing in the conduct of any one on board which could
awaken any misgivings as to his due arrival at the West
Indies. Yet, early on the morning of April 28, the
Captain was awakened roughly from his sleep, bound and
thrust into the ship's launch which was already hoisted
out, together with eighteen members of his crew. This
daring outrage was the work of Fletcher Christian,
master's mate. He was twenty-four years of age only,
a gentleman's son with good education, and a promising
sailor. He had previously been on voyage in company
with Bligh. To the last, the two had been on quite proper
and apparently friendly terms.

The Bounty sailed away, to return to Otaheite, leaving
the launch adrift. Provisions, a compass, and a few
necessaries were thrown over to her occupants, now
absolutely helpless but for what energy and good fortune
might do for them. A memorandum book was luckily
among these things, so that Bligh was enabled to keep a
log. Bligh soon came to the determination to make
for the nearest Danish Settlement in the Indian archi-
pelago, more than three thousand miles distant. After
undergoing great hardships, and losing one man at the
hands of savages, he made Timor on June 14. Here they
were very hospitably treated ; and after recruiting their
strength the survivors of the party reached Batavia,
and eventually embarked for Europe in October. The
exceptions were Ledward, the surgeon's mate, who is
supposed to have gone up country and settled there,
and five others who died from the results of fatigue and
exposure. One of these was David Nelson, the gardener.
Nelson's assistant, Brown, was one of the mutineers,
among whom were also the three wretches who had

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 135

deserted at Otaheite and been pardoned by their gentle-
hearted commander.

Bligh landed at Portsmouth on March 14, 1790. The
story of his heroic adventure across the seas had preceded
him. Great indignation found utterance in England
on learning the news of Bligh and his disaster. The
Mutiny of the Bounty henceforth took a place among our
most thrilling naval annals. In early Victorian days it
was still a charm to work with boys ; and there may even
now be found a few persons who know of it through the
Story of Pitcairn Island.

Some months after Bligh's return home, Captain
Edwards, in the Pandora, went in search of the culprits.
The majority of them were long since gone from Otaheite,
and all but one of those met with violent deaths. But
several were taken, and brought away from Otaheite.
One of these perished in the wreck of the Pandora,1 the
others were brought to court martial, and there were
hanged. The fate of Fletcher Christian is uncertain.
It is positively stated that he was seen in Plymouth
streets, several years later, by one of his former ship-
mates. And there was a published account of his after-
adventures, which, it must be said, however, bears all the
appearance of being a supercherie.2

It was always, afterward, an open question as to the
culpability of Captain Bligh for this misfortune, through
faults of temper. There were officers of his own school who
condemned him. This was, however, greatly duej to the
energetic advocacy of Edward Christian, a distinguished
jurist of the period, who took his brother's part with much
vehemence. But the matter is simple enough. No reliance
can be placed on the oaths of the mutinous seamen

1 v. A voyage round the world in H.M. frigate Pandora, by George
Hamilton, surgeon (Berwick, 1793).

2 Voyages and Travels of Fletcher Christian, and a narrative of the
Mutiny on board H.M. ship Bounty at Otaheite. From the French
(London, 1798).

136 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

who deposed to Bligh's violence. There is no reason to
believe that he had exceeded the bounds of temperate
discipline. Nothing was heard of complaint until the
morning of the outrage. Really, the crew of the Bounty
were demoralized by too long a stay among the nymphs
of Otaheite. The resumption of discipline was too much
for the weaker characters among them to bear. It was a
simple matter when Christian, a fiery and energetic young
man, subject to the like temptation to hanker after the
joyous life so lately lost, whispered the seductive plan of
ejecting the Captain and his officers and seizing upon the
ship. What little was heard later of Christian is to the
effect that he was a constant prey to remorse, and liable
to exhibitions of ungovernable rage.

It is worth bearing in mind, that Sir Joseph Banks
remained a staunch friend of Bligh as long as he lived.
And this, although Bligh was presently the unfortunate
victim of a very similar adventure, when his authority
in New South Wales was shattered by the daring im-
pudence of one subordinate.

This untoward affair kept the lawyers busy, as well
as the whole naval service, for several years. The
book and pamphlet trade likewise battened on it. Bligh
was himself obliged to issue at least one rejoinder in
paper-and-print. Among other things, he quoted a
letter from John Hallett, a midshipman, who denied the
ill-temper and bad language the mutineers attributed
to him, in modest but forcible terms. He never heard
" illiberal epithets " used toward Christian by his Com-
mander, and always thought they were close friends
until the morning of the catastrophe. At the court
martial which presently ensued, Captain Bligh was
honourably acquitted of the loss of his ship. He was
presently introduced to the King ; and in course of time
promoted.

The Jamaica House of Assembly showed their regard

BLIGH'S VOYAGES 137

for and sympathy with Bligh, by a vote of five hundred
guineas.

We have no record of the language used by Sir Joseph
when the news reached him of Bligh's disastrous failure
in 1789. He must have been bitterly disappointed and
angry. But he was not the man to sit down in idle
resignation when a mischief could possibly be repaired.
Scarce was the court martial disposed of, in October,
1790, than he began to appeal anew to the Ministry of
the day. There is a note to Banks from Lord Auckland,
dated the Hague, December 29, approving the proposal
that another attempt be made to transplant the Bread-
fruit tree. Sir George Yonge, soon after this, sent word to
Banks that the King had been speaking to him about it ;
and bid him confer with Lord Chatham. " I have only to
add, the sooner the better. They have now ships of all
sorts to spare. ..."

There was little delay on this occasion. The Providence
was fitted out, as the Bounty had been, with conveniences
for plant transportation. The errand was again confided
to Bligh. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Portlook
and the Assistance ; and the two ships sailed for their
destination in June, 1791. It was a long voyage. They
made some fresh surveys and discoveries in Torres
Straits ; called at St. Helena, whence Bligh wrote a good
letter to Sir Joseph ; stayed once more at Otaheite, and
eventually landed a cargo of plants in several of the
West India Islands. Three hundred Bread-fruit trees
were safely disembarked at Jamaica, and a like quantity
at St. Vincent's.

It was now February, 1793. Hinton East was dead
in the previous November, and did not, therefore, see
the fulfilment of his wishes. He had been an ardent
promoter of the first mission entrusted to Bligh. His
anger was extreme when he heard of its failure ; and he
expressed himself in very strong terms when commenting

138 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

on it to Sir Joseph Banks. Many congratulations came
from friends over the final success, beside public acknow-
ledgments from the Jamaica Assembly and other authori-
ties. Mr. Steele wrote from Barbados a long and enthusi-
astic letter, with news of the flourishing state of the
gardens, and their encouragement upon the safe arrival
of the new importations.

The botanists of this Expedition were Christopher
Smith and James Wiles. The former returned home with
Bligh. He was admitted to the Linnean Society (1793),
and afterward went to Calcutta as Botanist to the East
India Company, where he had a long and distinguished
career. James Wiles elected to stay in the West Indies.
He was placed in charge of the Bath Garden, at Jamaica.
He wrote to Sir Joseph an interesting account of the
progress of the plantations under his care. For years
afterward he was in communication with Banks, entering
with lively spirit into the wonderful progress of the
exotic plants. The Bread-fruit tree was easily propa-
gated by suckers, and was become common all over the
island. The taste for planting, moreover, was on the
increase. Several private gardens had been formed on a
liberal plan. Wiles appears never to have returned to
England. Quite happy in his congenial post, he re-
mained there until his death in 1805.

The authorities at Jamaica could not but recognize
the public spirit of Sir Joseph Banks. The House of
Assembly passed a resolution of thanks to him " for his
benevolent endeavours, exerted for the benefit of the
West Indies in general and of this Island in particular."

CHAPTER IX
VARIOUS ADVENTURERS

DY. Hope to Sir Joseph Banks.

" EDINBURGH, August 22, 1786.
" DEAR SIR,

1 PRESUME to introduce to you the bearer of this,
Mr. Archibald Menzies ; who was early acquainted
with the culture of plants, and acquired the prin-
ciples of Botany by attending my lectures. He
was particularly acquainted with the Scotch plants, of
the rarest of which some years ago he made a collection
for Doctors Fothergill and Pitcairn. He has been several
years on the Halifax Station in His Majesty's service as
a surgeon, where he has paid unremitting attention to his
favourite study of Botany, and through the indulgence
of the Commander-in-Chief had good opportunities
afforded him. I am," etc.

This Mr. Menzies is one of the abler men to be brought
into these pages as a Botanical Collector. He was from
Perthshire, and was employed in the Edinburgh Botanic
Garden while he studied for the Medical Profession.
Dr. Hope is to be credited with a great deal of assistance
in his education. Hope, indeed, had many " favourite "
pupils during his Professorship, to the lasting honour of
his College. Even Edinburgh has rarely had a more
genial and painstaking teacher. He died in the autumn
of this year, leaving a memory of sweetness and goodness
in the breast of every one who knew him.

140 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Menzies appears to have begun the serious work of
life as assistant-surgeon in the Navy. We first hear of
him in connection with Sir Joseph Banks, when on board
the Assistance, at Halifax, N.S. From this place he
sent botanical news, and a batch of seeds " for that
noble collection at Kew." The Assistance reached
Chatham in August, 1786. Menzies sent up to London,
by hoy, a small box of Acadian plants, and promised
a visit to Sir Joseph in a few days. Meanwhile : " I
am informed there is a ship, a private adventurer, now
fitting out at Deptford to go round the world. Should
I be so happy as to be appointed Surgeon of her, it will
at least gratify one of my greatest worldly ambitions ;
and afford one of the best opportunities of collecting
seeds, and other objects of Natural History for you and
the rest of my friends ! "

Writing a few days later, he enclosed the above note
from Dr. Hope, who, it may be, was unaware that Banks
had some acquaintance with Menzies ; or else, in the
passionate courtesy of those days, was willing to cement
the existing tie by a friendly interposition. With the
same enclosure, Menzies announced that he was happily
appointed Surgeon to an Expedition round the world.
. . . Two vessels are going in company, a ship, the Prince
of Wales, and a sloop, the Princess Royal. The proposed
route is round South America, thence to the West Coast
of North America, and by the Japanese islands to China,
and then round the Cape of Good Hope homeward. Their
chief object is the fur trade. But it is not allowed for
the ship's company to trade or barter for any curiosities.
"I hope, however, we are not debarred from picking
them up when they come in our way." He asks Sir
Joseph to intervene, if possible, with Mr, Etches.

R. C, Etches was the merchant, or ship-owner. Per-
haps with an eye to good business, and doubtless im-
pressed by the importance of conceding something to the

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 141

influential P.R.S., he wrote to Sir Joseph, stating that
he would dispense with the restrictions in the case of
Menzies. Besides, he highly approved of the young
man's conduct and manners. ..." My younger brother
is going the voyage, and I have given him orders to pay
every attention to Mr. Menzies." The merchant further
says that a gentleman has proposed to go as a passenger,
with a servant, to Otaheite ; and to stay for two or three
years. And he can accommodate another or two, if
Sir Joseph knows of anybody. He could engage to
fetch them back again in 1788 or 1789.

The Prince of Wales had a fortunate voyage round
Cape Horn to the North Pacific Ocean. Menzies had
just reason to be gratified when, nearly three years
later, he reappeared in England. He had sent home a
consignment of plants, and he had brought back the
ship's company in perfect health ; only one man had
died, and he from the consequences of intemperance.
The following extract from his letter just before landing
(dated July 14, 1789) must have been particularly in-
teresting to Sir Joseph :

" On the west side of North America, in a remote
corner inland, the natives had a short warlike weapon of
solid brass, somewhat in the shape of a New Zealand
pata-patos, about fifteen inches long. It had a short
handle, with a round knob at the end ; and the blade
was of an oval form, thick in the middle but becoming
thinner toward the edges, and embellished on one side
with an escutcheon, inscribing Jos. BANKS, Esq. The
natives put a high value on it ; they would not part with
it for considerable offers. The inscription, and escut-
cheonal embellishments, were nearly worn off by their
great attentions in keeping it clean. ... To commemo-
rate this discovery I have given your name to a cluster
of islands, round where we were then at anchor. In the

142 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

course of a few days I shall have the honour of pointing
out to you their situation and extent, on a chart which
I have made of the coast ; as also of presenting you with
a few mementos from that and other parts of it. Till
which I am with due respect," etc.1

In these few years of peace, just preceding the outbreak
of the French revolutionary wars, there was considerable
activity in over-sea adventure. The French and the
British Governments were emulous, alike with their own
sailors, in discovering new lands and in seeking new out-
lets for trade and for colonial settlement. La Pe" rouse
was away in the South Seas ; and the scientific world was
beginning to be anxious concerning his fate. Our own
traffic with Africa was increasing largely, especially at the
Cape of Good Hope. New Holland [Australia] was now
to be added to the lands familiarized with the sight of
British sailors.

The year 1791 was remarkable for our maritime energy.
Beside the regular traffic with Bengal and with Port
Jackson, other important voyages were taken in hand.
And, almost as a matter of course, Sir Joseph Banks
was intimately concerned in them, even if he did not
actually initiate them. One of these was a circumnaviga-
tion set on foot under the following circumstances :

Early in 1791, it was needful to come to an under-
standing with Spain about the possession of Nootka
Sound. A projected voyage of discovery in the North
Pacific had been postponed from various causes ; and it
was now resolved by the Admiralty to combine the two
objects in one Expedition, which should embrace a

1 Nearly forty years later than this, Banks had a letter from the
Rev. Thomas Kendall, of the Church Missionary Society, dated Bay of
Islands [N.Z.], July 10, 1816, with a similar story : " Some time ago,
being visited by some natives from the River Thames, one of them
produced a brass maree, or war club, bearing ' Joseph Banks, Esq.' and
your coat of arms engraved upon it. ... The possessor would not
consent to part with it for any consideration whatever."

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 143

survey of the western coasts of America hitherto un-
known.

George Vancouver, one of Captain Cook's midshipmen,
was selected to take charge of the Expedition. He had
risen in the Naval service ; was a good all-round man,
a strong disciplinarian, always careful of the conduct
and the comfort of his crew, and specially apt as a nauti-
cal surveyor.

Archibald Menzies was appointed Naturalist to the
Discovery. This was fulfilling his heart's desire. His
tastes and his experience alike pointed him out as the
man for the post. Later in the voyage he became Surgeon
of the ship. The formal instructions of Sir Joseph
Banks are unusually copious and interesting. They range
over every conceivable topic which could attract the
attention of a cultured and intelligent observer ; in
Natural History, Botany, Social Science, and Physical
Geography. His Collections and his Journals were to be
considered the sole property of His Majesty. And, as
many particulars would doubtless occur in the investiga-
tion of foreign countries that are not mentioned in these
Instructions ; all such were left to his discretion and
good sense : " You are hereby directed to act in them as
you judge most likely to promote the interest of science
and contribute to the increase of human knowledge."

There must have been open question as to Vancouver's
temperament ; for he was instructed as to treating
Menzies with proper distinction. And Banks's last letter
to Menzies (August 10, 1791) plainly shows an apprehen-
sion as to their proper relations on board : " How
Captain Vancouver will behave to you is more than I can
guess, unless I was to judge by his conduct toward me, —
which was not such as I am used to receive from persons
in his situation. ... As it would be highly imprudent
in him to throw any obstacle in the way of your duty,
I trust he will have too much good sense to obstruct it,"

144 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

The Discovery, together with an armed tender, the
Chatham, sailed in April, 1791. Vancouver visited the
Sandwich Islands ; from thence went to Nootka Sound,
where he established good relations with Spaniards ;
returned along the coast of South America, visiting the
Spanish Settlements and continuing the process of survey ;
doubled Cape Horn, and anchored in the river Shannon,
September 14, 1795. The whole voyage was passed
without serious disaster of any kind. An excellent bill
of health prevailed all the way.

Yet, this interesting yoyage was not destined to be
without some unpleasantness at the last. There are
always times when the kindest disciplinarian may
seem to exceed the limits of his powers and of his
own discretion. Thus it was with Vancouver. There is
a story of a young midshipman, Lord Camelford, being
flogged for some youthful indiscretion " at a gun in the
cabin before all the officers." Menzies protests that the
punishment was undeserved, besides being severe : and
that Camelford will prove an ornament to his profession.

The relations between the Captain and the Surgeon
were generally good. Menzies was permitted (according
to Sir Joseph's wish) to build a glass house for his plants
upon the quarter-deck. Yet, proper feeling could not
endure when the Captain claimed possession of Menzies 's
journals, and the latter refused to give them up until
Sir Joseph Banks and the Admiralty had granted per-
mission. Presently, when Menzies complained that he
had lost some of his best plants through his servant being
taken off his duties, Vancouver put him under arrest for
" insolence and contempt." This misunderstanding
lasted from July 28 until their arrival in port.1

1 By a memorandum of Banks (? Oct., 1796), it is plain that Van-
couver was capricious and sometimes unjust to his middies. There are
allusions to a published caricature of the fracas with Lord Camelford :
the story, then, must have become public. Lady Camelford appears to
have threatened action on behalf of her son.

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 145

Menzies did not lose his taste for nautical life. He
presently served again in the Navy as Surgeon, and visited
the West Indies. Afterward he settled in London, pur-
suing the practice of his profession ; and died at an
advanced age in 1842. His Herbarium is in the Edin-
burgh Botanic Garden. His Journal was not published
in full. The MS. was among those dispersed at the
Banks sale in 1886.

Menzies is one of the names highly honoured at Kew.
He was the discoverer of Sequoia sempervirens, of Cali-
fornia. His name is immortalized in Menziesia ferruginea,
a plant of North America allied to the Ericacece. The
introduction of Araucaria imbricata was due to Menzies.
The story goes that he was at a dinner given by the Vice-
roy of Chile to Captain Vancouver and his officers, where
part of the dessert consisted of nuts which Menzies had
never before seen. Instead of eating all his share, he took
some with him on board, and having obtained a box of
earth, planted them. They sprouted, and he succeeded in
bringing five plants to England, which were safely re-
ceived at Kew. One was planted in the Arboretum ; and
another given to Sir Joseph Banks for his garden at
Spring Grove.1

Among the philanthropic schemes of the period was
an Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Inland
Districts of Africa. The first committee of the Associa-
tion consisted of Lord Rawdon, Bishop Watson of Llan-
daff, Andrew Stuart, Henry Beaufoy, and Sir Joseph
Banks. There were ninety-five subscribers (at five
guineas) ; but Beaufoy and Banks appear to have given
liberal aid, in addition to unflagging personal attention
to the carrying out of their plans. The hopes with which
they started were not all fulfilled, nor were the actual
results achieved anything like commensurate with the
expenses incurred in treasure and in human life. Yet

1 John Smith : Hist. Records of Kew Gardens, p. 287.
L

146 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

their failures may even be counted for victories, in the
paths prepared for their successors. Without the pioneer
work of the African Association, the opening up of the
western parts of the Dark Continent might have been
delayed for two or three generations.

The Association was soon at work. It happened that
John Ledyard called one day upon Sir Joseph — Led-
yard was from Connecticut, a genuine wanderer, and a
brave fellow. He lived a long time among the North
American Indians, worked his way to England before the
mast, and joined Captain Cook's third circumnavigation,
serving as a marine on board the Resolution. After this
he was concerned in a journey to Kamtchatka, by land.
Reaching St. Petersburg, he obtained twenty guineas
from the Portuguese ambassador, on the credit of Sir
Joseph Banks. At Yakutsk he fell in with Joseph
Billings's Expedition,1 and was prepared to join him.
But he was suddenly arrested, taken back across Russia,
and landed on the Polish frontier. Ledyard found him-
self at Konigsberg, poor and ragged, and out of health.
Yet somebody was found, in this remote quarter, who
was willing to take his draft for five guineas on the Presi-
dent of the Royal Society !

He could now get to England. He soon waited on Sir
Joseph, who was struck with Ledyard 's manly but rest-
less personality : a figure of great strength and activity,
although but of middle size. His manners were easy,
though unpolished, and he appeared to exhibit that rare

1 Billings was another adventurous spirit (? from Lincolnshire). He
had sailed on the Discovery (sister-ship to the Resolution) as able
seaman and astronomer's assistant. When William Coxe, the traveller,
was in Russia in 1784, he recommended, through Dr. Pallas, to the
Empress an expedition to complete the geographical knowledge of the
more distant parts of the Empire. " Commodore Joseph Billings " was
given the command of the undertaking, which occupied the years 1785-
1 794. Martin Sauer, Secretary to the Expedition, published' in London
(1802) an account of it and dedicated it to Sir Joseph Banks. Billings
had been befriended by Banks more than once, and was most likely
financed by him on this occasion.]

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 147

quality " of regarding all men as his equals which accom-
panies the man of supreme intellectual and physical
energy." Banks received him very cordially, and told
him about the proposals for opening up Africa. The
very man that was wanted : he would be ready " to-
morrow morning."

Ledyard left London June 30, 1788 — barely a month
having elapsed since the formation of the African Associa-
tion. He was at Cairo in August, and spent some time
there preparing for a route across to the river Niger. His
first and only dispatch to the Association confirmed the
Committee in the soundness of their choice. But their
hopes were blasted by next having news that Ledyard
had fallen victim to a bilious fever. He died at Cairo
in January, 1789.

Meanwhile, another promising candidate appeared in
Simon Lucas, sometime Oriental Interpreter to the
British Court. He was sent to attack the unknown land
from a north-easterly direction. He sailed for Tripoli in
October, 1788, with a view to visiting Fezzan, passing
the desert, and returning by way of Gambia. But a few
days' forward journey compelled Lucas to abandon his
plans. The hostility of the Arabs (he reported) was fatal
to his hopes of making any progress. He remained at
Tripoli as H.M. Consul for Morocco, sending to Banks
and the other gentlemen occasional letters with informa-
tion about the country

Major Daniel Houghton, 6gth Regiment, was the third
who volunteered to face the dangers of African explora-
tion. With the experience of long service on the West
Coast he had dreamed of the possibility of opening up
the Niger country. Houghton reached the mouth of the
Gambia river in November, ^000* The King of Barra
recollected him and his kindly dealings, and gave him
protection and assistance. All went well until he was
at Medina, about nine hundred miles from the sea. Then

148 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

disasters set in. He lost his trade goods, and his horse,
and other property, including " the blue coat in which
he had hoped to appear before the Sultan of Timbuctoo."
Houghton's actual fate is unknown. He was reckoned
a fine example of the British explorer.

In spite of these discouragements, the African Asso-
ciation persevered. They let it be known that they were
prepared to give liberal remuneration to a qualified person
who should offer his services.

Sir Joseph Banks was long acquainted with Mungo
Park ; who returned from India, in 1793, whither he had
been on voyage as assistant-surgeon to an East Indiaman.
This appointment had been secured at the instance of
Banks, who now recognized the maturing influence of his
activities while absent from England. Park was in the
flower of early manhood, vigorous in frame, and inured
to tropical climates ; passionately fond of travelling ;
an expert Naturalist. The offers of the African Associa-
tion attracted him, and his services were readily accepted.

All the world knows of Park's intrepid first journey,
which revealed so many of the secrets of the Gambia
and hinterland. On his reappearance in London, after
nearly three years' absence, the public were no less grati-
fied than were the African Association at the issue of his
wonderful exploit. Banks and his friends were exultant.
They had, at last, a triumphant record for their pains.
It was resolved by the Committee that Mr. Park had
executed his commission with a degree of perseverance,
industry, and ability that entitled him to the warmest
approbation of the Society. They further insisted that
Park's story be drawn up in narrative form and published
for his own profit.

While Mungo Park was yet in Africa, the Committee
sent out a young German, Frederik Hornemann, to whom
Banks had previously given the opportunity of training.
He learned Arabic, some natural history, and matters

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 149

pertaining to his mission. After an experimental trip,
Hornemann left Tripoli in November, 1799, but was lost
sight of for ever in the following year.

The African Committee now held their hands for a time.
The inconvenience of occasional raids by the French on
the west coast of Africa accounts, to some extent, for
their inaction. But, during the truce of Amiens, when
a good many other projects were ready for exploitation
which only a time of peace could justify, the Committee
awakened to the reconsideration of plans for giving a
Geography to their unknown Continent. Sir Joseph
Banks told Mungo Park that the mission to Africa was to
be revived ; and, in the case of Government entering into
the plan, Park would certainly be recommended as the
proper person to be employed.

Ever since his return home, in 1797, Park had been
dreaming of the subtle joys of travel and exploration.
Beside a very large circle of appreciative friends in
London, he had now a wife and a home in Peebles, and
more good friends in Edinburgh. But the quiet routine
of a country surgeon's life was irksome to him. His
mind would get unsettled with expectations of being called
upon to undertake fresh adventures in the desert and
the jungle. One such offer was actually made to him by
the Government, in 1798: to go out with a surveying
party to New Holland. As far as can be gathered from
his correspondence with Banks, the thing fell through on a
question of the terms of his remuneration. His intimacy
with Sir Joseph appears to have been broken by this
circumstance, who was a little offended at his fickleness
as displayed in the negotiations. It was not until the
autumn of 1803 that matters revived ; when Park re-
ceived a letter from the War Office asking him to
attend in London. After some little delay, and a pretence
of consulting his friends, he accepted the Government
proposal to take charge of a new expedition to Africa,

150 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

with a view to discover the outlet of the Niger. Writing
to Banks (October 20), he tells him of this offer of Lord
Hobart. He is to have a guard of twenty-five soldiers,
and a remuneration of ten shillings a day and £200
a year. The misunderstanding with Sir Joseph cleared
away like a summer cloud. Banks responded with warm
congratulations : "I have every reason to believe that
the plan, as well as the object of the undertaking, will
suit your opinions and ideas. As the offer made to you
seems handsome, I would by all means advise you to
return to London."

There was much to do in preparation. Park obtained
the assistance of a Moor, to reside with him at Peebles
while he learned Arabic. He improved himself diligently
in Astronomy and the use of instruments, and in the
methods for taking meteorological and magnetic observa-
tions. Thus thoroughly equipped, he finally left his
home in September, 1804, and reached London with a
prepared idea of his future operations. A memorandum
was given by him to the War Secretary, embodying
his plans. This document, of which the following is a
skeleton, is a remarkably clear exposition of the objects
in view ; and is a definite proof of his abilities, as it is of
the high spirit with which he undertook his task :

The extension of British Commerce and the enlarge-
ment of our Geographical Knowledge.

The investigation of the nature of the countries passed
through, especially with regard to their natural produc-
tions and the establishment of possible trade routes.

The articles of merchandise and their relative value,
and the extent to which the habits of the natives would
bear upon traffic.

The study of Natural History, and correct records of
latitude and longitude ; together with a survey of the
Niger, and of the Settlements thereon, and their inhabi-
tants.

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 151

Ample lists of the men and animals required, their
articles of dress and equipage; means for building two
boats for use on the river Niger ; and a list of various
articles for merchandise and barter.

A brief programme of his intended movements, with
suitable speculations as to the course of his route.

At the last moment, it was within the bounds of
possibility that the enterprise would be relinquished. In
conference with Major Rennell,1 between whom and
Mungo Park a warm friendship had arisen, the difficulties
and the hazards attending upon it were so vividly shown,
that Park was almost persuaded to withdraw from the
undertaking. But when he was again alone, his en-
thusiasm revived. He found other persons in London
who disapproved, but he faltered no longer. There was
Sir Joseph Banks, fully as conscious as anybody of the
dangers of the expedition, " one of the most hazardous
ever undertaken," to remind him of the important objects
in view, without trying to minimize the certain dangers
which must be encountered.

On January 30, 1805, the Crescent sailed from Ports-
mouth having on board Park and his friends. These were
Alexander Anderson, his brother-in-law, and George Scott,
a draughtsman. The soldiers and bearers were to be sup-
plied from the little garrison at Goree. In due time, the
party reached Pisania, far up the river Gambia, whence
Park had started ten years before. From this place he
wrote (May 28) to Sir Joseph Banks with a short account
of his movements ; and to his wife, in very cheerful

1 Major James Rennell was a close friend of Banks, and a lively
correspondent. He returned to England in 1782, after a glorious period
of service in the East ; and at once became a distinguished member of
the scientific world. Admiral Markham justly remarks of him that he
" was the greatest geographer that Great Britain has yet produced."
The maps of Africa, and especially those prepared for the illustration of
Park's travels, were the first to put the geography of that continent into
intelligible shape. He died in 1830.

152 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS \

vein. Not a single accident had occurred to mar their
prospects. Then they departed, to face disaster after
disaster. Sickness overtook the party. Many of them
died; and when, in October, both Scott and Anderson
perished, Mungo Park confesses to a gloom coming over
his mind for the first time, producing an overwhelming
sense of loneliness and friendlessness.

From Sansinding he wrote to Sir Joseph, and also
to his wife ; sadly, but not dreaming of the entire failure
of the expedition. The final catastrophe occurred at an
uncertain date ; after the diminished party had passed
Timbuctoo without being able to go into the city, and
had gone some further distance along the Niger.

Another German, Roentgen by name, was also em-
ployed by the African Association. He essayed to reach
Timbuctoo by caravan from Mogador. He was never
heard of again. After him came another young volunteer,
John Lewis Burckhardt, who had brought an introduc-
tion to Banks from Professor Blumenbach. Burckhardt
sailed for Malta in March, 1809, and, after completing
his Arabic training, completely explored Syria, the Nile
Valley, and Bruce 's track in Abyssinia. He was at
Cairo in 1817, preparing for new conquests in travel in
the direction of Fezzan and Morocco. But he was
suddenly carried off by an attack of dysentery.

The work of the African Association was a matter of
very great expense to the subscribers, as well as to His
Majesty's Government. More good men perished in the
swamps of Africa in their efforts to add to our geographi-
cal knowledge. After some years had passed, there was
quite a numerous body of gentlemen who were making
geography their hobby. The Raleigh Travellers' Club
was the outcome of their association, consisting of such
men as John Barrow, William Marsden, Basil Hall,
Beechey, Marryat, etc. Presently, the African Associa-
tion became merged in the new Royal Geographical

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 153

Society, and the Raleigh became the Geographical
Club.

Another distinguished plant-collector was Adam Afze-
lius. Mr. Wilberforce having consulted Sir Joseph, on
behalf of the Sierra Leone Company, as to the appoint-
ment of a Botanist in their service, conversant with tropi-
cal plants, Banks gave the name of his Swedish friend.
Afzelius was in London in 1791, and welcomed the oppor-
tunity of going out to West Africa. The occasion added
to his renown. He had the optimistic temper of his
nation ; and appears to have held himself always superior
to the great trials and hazards of his occupation. From
the first, Banks was careful to insist that his friend be
treated with every consideration, and all proper provision
made for him, as " a well-educated gentleman, and of
high consideration in his own country." To this, Banks
added his own friendly efforts to encourage Afzelius
throughout the period of his exile.

Afzelius arrived outward at Freetown on May 6, 1792.
He found the Colony in some disorder and confusion
arising from the want of dwellings. But he put some
energy into matters, and was able to get comfortable
by the end of the year ; and to send home a consignment
of plants. His letters are always cheerful, until November,
1794, when he tells the story of a French invasion of the
place. They simply sacked it. Everything was de-
stroyed, and the settlers were left in a deplorable plight.
" I saw my garden destroyed, my quadrupeds, birds, and
lizards, all killed ; my bottles containing quadrupeds,
birds, amphibia, fishes, vermes, flowers and fruits, broke
to pieces ; my dry plants, fruits, seeds, shells, books and
manuscripts scattered over the floor . . . trampled upon
and covered with dirt, grease, molasses, rum, porter,
bread, meat, bones, etc." To this was to be added the
loss of his journal during the whole time of his residence ;

154 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

microscopes, thermometers, barometer, and hydrometer.
And the only thing to do was to sit down and wait until
the arrival of a Company's ship, for the absolute neces-
saries of life.

This man was a veritable Mark Tapley. With all this
trouble upon him, he was immediately at work repairing
his losses in Natural History. It was several months
before relief came for the settlement generally. But there
is never a grumble with him. He only wants to repair
his lost collections. When the Company sent out, in
course of time, plenty of necessaries of every kind, but
no instruments nor material for the prosecution of his
work, he would have still been at a loss. But Banks's
foresight had provided these things. And he writes to
Afzelius, in his usual open-handed way, to the effect that
he could draw upon him for any funds he wanted. By
this letter (February 17, 1795) he advises him further that,
seeing a Privateer may at any time come and renew the
pillage, it will be better to finish his restorations and re-
coveries speedily, and return home by the first oppor-
tunity.

Sir Joseph had a slight misunderstanding with Mr.
Wilber force on his own account. The Sierra Leone Com-
pany found that Afzelius was sending bulbs and plants
for Kew Gardens, and they claimed that his entire time
should be devoted to their interests. Banks pointed out
that he had supplied the Botanist with every article in
his power likely to aid his researches, including a valuable
collection of drawings. He had not put forward any
claim on his own account, but such under the circum-
stances would not have been unreasonable. He added a
suggestion that the Directors should send out plants them-
selves, according to the hint Afzelius had given ; the King
would certainly spare some from Kew if it was necessary.

In 1796, Afzelius came home to London, with all his

VARIOUS ADVENTURERS 155

collections. Thus ended a very useful career with the
Sierra Leone Company. They had other vicissitudes to
meet beside a sacking by the French. But they could not
be entirely unfortunate with such a courageous and cheer-
ful fellow as this on their staff. Afzelius became Secretary
to the Swedish Embassy in London ; was elected to the
Royal Society in 1798 ; joined the Linnean Society and
contributed to its Transactions. In 1812 he returned to
his native land, as Professor of Mater ia Medica in Upsala
University.

CHAPTER X
MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS

A Sir Joseph Banks approached middle life, it
was more and more obvious that he had
unwittingly acquired a great hold upon the
minds of his generation. The tradition
of his wonderful reputation among his cotemporaries
has been hitherto little understood. Clearly, he was a
man of public spirit in the truest sense ; i.e. in rational
work without palaver. Such a spirit was one of the needs
of his time. He was by no means a solitary example of its
exhibition. It was opportunely displayed in the persons
of many eminent men whose activity and intelligence
helped forward the progress of science and of philan-
thropic ideas.

It was Banks's happy fortune that he was not tempted,
in his early years, to employ his ample fortune in a
wasteful manner. Mature life found him the ardent
devotee of science and the patron of every project of
public utility. As his character developed with years,
it was seen that a strong and sturdy man had arisen — a
born leader. Beside this, he inspired much personal
affection. His sagacious mind, his generous disposition,
his independent habit, and his intimate knowledge of
the world, readily captured the hearts of men. It is
not surprising that the popular estimation of Sir Joseph
Banks was so high.

Seeing the multiplicity and variety of his occupations,
and the customary impulse to appeal to his opinion on

156

SIR JOSEPH BANKS
From a drawing bv John Russell, R.A.

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 157

every possible novelty or difficulty, one is reminded of the
legendary person quoted by the eulogist of King Solomon :
" He was wiser than all men ; than Ethan the Ezrahite ;
and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol ;
and his fame was in all nations round about. ... He
spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon
even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall : he
spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things,
and of fishes."

This reputation for universal wisdom becomes a
reality after minute examination of the Banks corre-
spondence. Look, for example, at the following list
of some few of the matters placed before him from time
to time, each of them implying a special knowledge,
together with a certainty in the mind of the querist
that Sir Joseph was equal to the task placed before him :

All matters connected with the vegetable kingdom,
as botanical novelties, horticulture, the cultivation of
hemp, cotton, wheat, potatoes, apples, strawberries ;
experiments in fertilization and the treatment of garden
pests : these things were peculiarly Banks's concern.
We find, besides, farming, drainage, docks, and canals ;
hydraulics and engineering ; vital statistics ; tanning
and currying ; " the tricks of millers and bakers " ;
the plucking of geese ; taxation ; coinage ; earthquakes,
magnetism and electricity ; geological gropings ; latitude
and longitude. Exploration was a thoroughly live
topic.

Some of these queries would be accompanied by
samples or models ; as when an East India Company's
official would submit a vermiculus or a cimex newly
arrived in a parcel from the Indies. The contents of
Banks's spacious cabinets were prodigiously augmented
by these and other out-of-the-way offerings. Captains
from the Eastern seas were entrusted with Japanese
boxes, curious woods and minerals, wild beasts and birds

158 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

alive or dead ; chests of tea " for Lady Banks " ; beside
the inevitable bags of seeds, and collections of dried
plants. Banks's friends all over the world believed in his
capacity and resources perhaps more soundly than people
about him at home ; seeing that he was, in a sense, their
far-away lode-star. Their contributions were frequent
and various, sometimes mightily curious, as " Indian
cement for mending noses."

All these attentions were pleasing to Sir Joseph.
His insatiable curiosity in the Natural Sciences had
inspired an unusually wide circle of followers. The
men who forgathered with him, alike with those who
furthered his interests in foreign lands, were in a sense
his disciples. Old and young alike rallied round him.
The dignity of advancing years did not place under
reserve that open, and kindly, and courteous way which
had given a charm to his younger days and made him
the soul of good company. At his table were grouped the
surviving friends of his youth, together with young
and fervent minds opening with the dawn of a new age.
The cycle was never broken in Banks's lifetime : a period
of ever-progressive culture, remarkable for its mastery
over the secrets of Nature, and its pursuit of Philan-
thropic ends.

The numberless calls on Banks's time and attention
would be of less moment to a man with fewer public
responsibilities. But these he had in abundance. He
had a surprising number of serious engagements, any
one or two of which might well have employed a person
of average versatility. Beside his absorbing functions
in connection with the Royal Society, he was a diligent
member of the Society of Arts, the Engineers' Society,
the Dilettanti Society, the Society for the Improve-
ment of Naval Architecture, and the Society of
Antiquaries. All this involved regular convivial oc-
casions : for Banks was an ardent clubbist. As an

LADY BANKS
Frojn a drawing by J ohn Russell, R.A.

3VLECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 159

archaeologist, he was second to none in his abounding
curiosity and zeal. As a mere matter of paper-and-print,
it would appear that there is better record of his doings in
the Archceologia than in all the volumes of the Philosophi-
cal Transactions. Sir Joseph sat on the Council of the
Society of Antiquaries from 1785 to 1787, and again from
1813 to 1820. Then, further, he was on the Board of
Longitude for many years, concerned in the superin-
tendence of the Nautical Almanac, and similar abstruse
matters. Presently his services were required on the
subject of coinage, when he was made a Privy Councillor
in 1797. This honour was conferred upon Banks with
a view to his assistance in connection with the Board of
Trade, together with a committee on the new copper
coinage. This latter was a particularly laborious and
prolonged business. The first Lord Liverpool and Mr.
Matthew Boulton were long engaged with Sir Joseph on
this recondite subject ; the former as the most learned
authority on coinage and currency, the latter as manu-
facturer. Sir John Sinclair and Arthur Young, with their
questions relative to the breeding of sheep, were seldom
absent from his mind ; nor did he want occupation in
looking after the King's flocks and herds. The East
India Company frequently consulted him on Economic
products ; and the Botanic Gardens at Calcutta, at
St. Helena, and the West Indies, had his constant
attention. Far from being overwhelmed with all these
things, Banks could take a part in the affairs of his parish ;
and when at home in Lincolnshire, was as devoted to
county affairs as if he had no other irons in the fire
whatever.

Temporary concerns would arise sometimes, in which
Banks was expected to engage. He was usually con-
sidered an indispensable member when a good sound
Committee was to be formed. Such, for example, was
the case when the question of a monument to Samuel

160 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Johnson hung fire for so long. Banks had been a pall-
bearer at the Doctor's funeral in 1784. Several years were
elapsed, and it was not yet decided that Johnson should
have a monument in St. Paul's Cathedral. A strong
Committee at length took it up, including Sir Joshua
Reynolds, Windham, Burke, Boswell, Philip Metcalfe,
Sir William Scott, and Sir Joseph Banks ; and the thing
was settled.

Another interesting business was the revival of the
Engineers' Society. Originally set on foot in 1771,
under the presidency of John Smeaton, it presently
suffered from disunion among the members, and ceased
to exist after Smeaton's death, in 1792. In the following
year it was successfully re-established on a better basis.1
Sir Joseph Banks was one of the new "honorary amateur"
members, without whose aid at first it is not to be expected
that such societies can flourish. He purchased for the
Society all Smeaton's papers and drawings and designs ;
and the members agreed to undertake the printing at their
own risk, pledging themselves to give the profits to
Smeaton's family.

After the French war had begun, the usual incon-
veniences arose from stoppage of communications. This
was a sore trouble to the scientific world, whose repre-
sentatives on either side of the English Channel had a
particular dislike to the interruption of their labours
on the ground of international conflict. With such
men as Banks, who knew nothing of politics, it was
paralyzing. The requests made for the use of his in-
fluence in averting the incident troubles were cheerfully
responded to. And it may be said that his taking action
was generally respected.

There is one thing that Banks would never do. He
would not interfere with politics or politicians. Not
only because he was absorbed in his favourite pursuits

1 Of sixty-five members in 1792, only fifteen were real engineers.

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 161

and in social improvements, but for the plain reason that
he was conscious of knowing little or nothing of the
points generally at issue. He kept away of set purpose
from State matters. Cotemporary illusions as to the
rapid perfectibility of mankind under French guidance
he regarded with contempt — the contempt of ignorance.
The only notice taken of persons given to social or
political unsettling was a somewhat petulant refusal
to have any dealings with them whatever. In truth,
Banks was quite unfitted for any political association ;
and he knew it. He uniformly rejected all overtures
made to him to enter parliamentary life, though fre-
quently and strongly tempted. Thus he saved himself a
thousand vexations. Outside of party politics he could
continue to be a personal friend of the King without
incurring much displeasure from any one.

Banks's religious principles were as simple as were his
political tenets. Just as he never troubled to under-
stand the new thoughts on Government which were
pervading the world in his days, so he never cared to take
in question his own or any one else's creed. He was
tolerant of all, but his was the tolerance of a man who
felt that religious and political discussions did not
concern him. He was contented with the " Church as by
law established " (a familiar expression of the period),
because he could be happy and contented under it,
and saw that the majority of his fellow-countrymen were
of the same mind with him. Of course, all his pursuits,
from his earliest years, kept him necessarily apart from
politics and polemics alike. Neither his rather narrow
education nor his incapacity for transcendental inquiry
allowed him to enter into such matters. But, as we have
just said, he was tolerant. And he did not like intolerance
in other people.

It is not often that religious topics occur in all his
vast correspondence. Once in a while there is an attempt

M

162 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

to " draw " him on Biblical subjects : as when one asks
him about the mustard tree of St. Matthew, Banks
goes little further than to say that he has never studied
Biblical Botany, " not being at all confident that the
translators of the sacred writ have been as careful as they
ought in giving proper names to the plants mentioned in
different parts of the Holy Scriptures." Or, when an
old friend sends him a controversial pamphlet : "Sir
Joseph Banks thanks Dr. Shepherd, but freely declares
that he does not think a layman should spend much
of his time in studying St. John. He feels no doubt that
his Faith is sufficient, if his actions prove acceptable,
to conduct him to his home hereafter, believing that the
Strait Path pointed out by the other Evangelists will
lead him as safely to his object as the intricate one of
St. John, which Dr. Shepherd has so laudably attempted
to elucidate."

When, however, Banks heard of a case where some
word-splitting on these things was causing trouble,
breaking friendship, and destroying the public peace,
he was prepared with a strong opinion on the absurdity
of such quarrels. A good example occurs in the affair
of John Leslie, who succeeded Dr. John Robison as
Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh. Leslie was a
friend of long standing (through the medium of Dr. Adam
Smith), and often had occasion to consult Banks upon
his affairs. There was a conflict of opinion when Leslie's
candidature appeared. It turned out that he had spoken
of an essay of David Hume as " a model of clear and
accurate reasoning." Certain ministers in Edinburgh
violently opposed the Town Council of the city for their
promotion of Leslie, because of his saying a good word
for the arch-heretic although purely in a literary sense.
Banks heard of this from two friends in London, and
unburthened his mind to Mr. Leslie on the whole
matter :

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 163

(April 19, 1805.) '

"... I am sorry to learn that the clergy of Edinburgh,
a set of men hitherto honoured for their mild and moral
conduct as well as for the purity of their religious pro-
ceedings, have instituted what, in my humble opinion,
much resembles a persecution of you ; for tenets which,
if not strictly within their notions of orthodoxy, are
surely such as wise and well-informed men should not
select as proper objects of ecclesiastical censure. They
would surely have acted more properly, and in a manner
better becoming their station in the community, by
suffering your book to remain quietly on the philosopher's
shelf. . . .

" Surely a man may fulfil his duty to his Creator
without assenting unconditionally to every undigested
tenet which our half-informed predecessors have left
behind as a legacy to their more enlightened posterity.
If it has pleased God to permit his creatures to increase
in wisdom, He will not condemn them for assenting to
new opinions which their reason demonstrates to be
just. . . ."

It is clear, from all this, that Banks was now enjoying a
more than ordinary personal influence on his generation.
It is, likewise, pretty certain that this was due to the
development of a manly character in every sense of the
word : quite as much as to his scientific position. There
was another factor, however, which must not be forgotten
in completing the estimate. He was notoriously wealthy ;
and it was known everywhere that Sir Joseph was ready
to spend his money in a good cause. Hence a large addi-
tion to his responsibilities in the shape of what may be
called accidental claims upon his purse.

Strange and wonderful efforts were made by various
sanguine persons to unloose those purse-strings. Few

164 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

speculative undertakings, in Banks's active days, were
conceived without the minds of the ingenious inventors
turning, as the Needle to the Pole, toward the influential
President of the Royal Society.

Banks was never averse to honest and wholesome
enterprise. But he was not incautious, a circumstance
which was unknown, or overlooked, in the first essay of a
new-comer for his patronage. The temptations, there-
fore, that were being continually thrown in his way —
the schemes for which he was invited to share the expense
— ranged over every possible flight. Novel inventions
(with perpetual motion as a matter of course) ; exploring
and colonization plans ; experiments in farming and
horticulture ; proposals for reforming or correcting the
existing state of things ; suggestions from persons
desirous of pushing on in the world, or of retrieving a
Past ; all followed one another with relentless certainty :
all inspired by a determination to tap the resources of a
wealthy and good-natured gentleman. So, with inventors
and adventurers, curiosity hunters, would-be collectors
of plants and birds, ship-owners who had in view new
fields of venture, and personal friends who had suitors
of their own whom they could not themselves gratify,
together with appeals from men who had failed in life
and were not likely to succeed because of their inherent
weakness of character, Banks had upon his hands many
and various interests which did not naturally belong
to him, but on account of which he was called upon
to pay.

Notwithstanding this plethora of other people's con-
cerns, Sir Joseph usually met each new aspirant, or
beggar, with geniality. But he spoke very plainly,
especially when encouragement could not but be with-
held. At times he would be really impressive ; as when
an inventor either implied or enjoined secrecy concerning
a new machine for raising water, or an improvement on the

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 165

camera, or other ingenious marvel — Banks would observe
that he had an insuperable objection to becoming the
depository of other men's secrets, lest he should bear the
blame of disclosing what other persons had not been able
to keep private. With all this, he did not like being
imposed upon. Neither was he willing to abet any
questionable attempts upon the resources of the Govern-
ment. As he once said to a correspondent, " I find myself
so completely outnumbered by those who consider the
giving away of public money as a good-natured thing."

Banks's manner of refusal seldom appears to have been
downright repellent. Few persons had cause to hold
themselves finally disposed of. Some would return to
the attack after a decent interval of time. As the furtive
fly, misunderstanding the gentle action which has brushed
it away, comes back again to the feast, so these feeble
dwellers on providence persisted in hovering near the
generous fount of benevolence. An occasional applicant
of this sort, and a very sanguine one, was Henry Johnson.

Mr. Johnson propounded a method to Sir Joseph
(" with no other apology but the Voice of the World
declaring him to be the Encourager of Science and
Improvements ") for composing and printing, by entire
words and radices and terminations instead of single
letters as was hitherto the practice. Banks evidently
listened to these proposals, for Johnson presently writes
to say that his machine is set up, and can be seen in
operation. He hopes Sir Joseph will take the trouble
to come and see it. The invention was called Logography.
It appears to have been in actual use for some time. Sir
Joseph was one of the financial promoters ; and we find
the name of J. Walter, bookseller, Charing Cross, printer
of a newspaper, and founder of the Times, also among
them.1

The inventor was presently as poor as ever. Four years

1 v. An Introduction to Logography, by H. Johnson (London, 1783).

166 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

later, he is asking Banks's assistance in his distress,
accompanying his complaints with further ingenious
notions. One of these is a sentimental Index to Shake-
speare's Plays. Sir Joseph wrote him a kindly letter,
with some straight advice, and an enclosure of five
guineas : " You have my leave to place my name in that
part of the list, whether first or anywhere else, that you
think will do you the most service." Several years after-
ward, Johnson is again in want of help, and " cannot
get employment for want of the expense of a few advertise-
ments." He encloses a lengthy list and description of
the schemes on hand. These include Indexes, Paper,
Factitious Coals, White Lead, Acorns, Wood, Ashes,
Bricks, Lottery Insurance. Logography, and Sierra Leone.
Of the result of this application there is no record ;
and the following, last of all this curious correspondence,
likewise appears to have been left unanswered.

Henry Johnson to Sir Joseph Banks.

" June 27, 1792.

" SIR, — Hearing of your indisposition of the Gout,
although not physically instructed, and hating a Quack
in any profession, I cannot resist the impulse of informing
you what has come to my knowledge in that regard."

Here follow two and a half pages 4to, chiefly founded
on the late Dr. Allen's Flowers of Sulphur, etc.

" I hope, Sir, you will not attribute this information to
officious impertinence, or commonplace prescription ;
but to the true cause, a very anxious wish for the con-
servation of the health of a gentleman whose Indisposition
at any time is so great a loss to Society."

Banks was very mindful of his old comrades in circum-

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 167

navigation. It was always safe for any one of them
who had won his personal regard to ask a favour of him.
So it happened that several of Captain Cook's shipmates
were on friendly terms with Sir Joseph all his life long.
One of these, more important than others, was Sigismund
Bacstrom, M.D., who had been taken on the Adventure for
the second circumnavigation, and was withdrawn along
with others of Banks's suite. He went to Iceland with the
yachting party, and was in touch with Banks for several
years. Afterwards he knocked about the world as
surgeon on board various ships.1

Bacstrom renewed his acquaintance with Sir Joseph
Banks in the year 1786. He was in distress in London,
and remembered Banks's " kind and generous treatment "
when in his service. He had since been on several
voyages ; had given satisfaction and earned little. He
hopes Sir Joseph will recommend him to a situation ;
he could act as tutor to one or two young gentlemen, or
attend an infirm gentleman going abroad for his health ;
he knows several languages, and could assist in chemical
experiments, " not the Lapis Philosophorum seu potius
Insanorum, but honest investigation of the operations of
Nature." Better than this, and more in Banks's line,
he had discovered how to " increase the fertility of
vegetation, by means of proper Natural Magnets."
Corn, Wheat, Rye, and especially the Vine, received an
enormous impulse from the use of his plan. Hearing
that the Government intended colonizing Botany Bay,
Bacstrom was willing to join the Expedition ; and would
bring home plants, seeds, shells, minerals, etc. Some
assistance was given to him in his immediate distress.
We do not hear of him again until 1791, when once more
Sir Joseph opened his purse, and wrote sympathetically.
Matters now looked brighter. Bacstrom was fortunate

1 He printed an interesting account of a voyage to Spitzbergen in
the Rising Sun, Captain Souter (London, 1780).

i68 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

enough to find other old friends, and regular employ-
ment. He must needs marry, thinking he was now settled
in life. But he was tempted with another voyage round
the world. The man's ingrained want of foresight, which
was at the root of all his past troubles, again made
itself manifest. The ship-owners undertook to provide
for Bacstrom's wife during his absence. And he had to
write to Sir Joseph for help in providing himself an outfit.
Banks sent him £10, and encouraged him to collect plants,
etc., for him.

Bacstrom was away on his voyages for nearly four
years. The thing promised very well at first, and he
went out in the best of spirits. At length, in November,
1796, more than five years after parting, Sir Joseph
heard once again from him, with a wonderful tale of
adventure and trouble. The Doctor had served in six
different ships, had been taken prisoner three times, had
been the victim of a mutiny, and had lost the valuable
collection he had made for Banks of all sorts of curiosities.
He had brought many sketches and drawings home,
and had passed some time in pursuing a new system of
philosophy. Grateful to learn that Banks had befriended
his wife during his long absence, he craves the blessings of
Heaven upon his benefactor's head. A subscription to
Bacstrom's forthcoming work closes this rather sad
history of a man who had certainly great abilities, but was
handicapped with some obscure weakness of character
which had hindered his whole walk in life.

Five years after this, Mr. T. H. Moseberg, architect
and surveyor, wrote to Sir Joseph, with a proposal to
colonize Surinam. His application is in Bacstrom's
handwriting. There is no record of any result. It is
pitiable to find a man of some natural parts hanging
on to the acquaintance of Banks for upwards of a quarter
of a century, unable to make substantial profit out of his
opportunities.

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 169

Occasionally, Banks's prodigality in favour of the
devotees of Science came home to him with some vexa-
tion. There is a curious state of affairs with the two
Forsters, which reveals a determination on the part of
Sir Joseph to insist upon his rights, however valueless
the prospect of his money being ever repaid.

Johann Reinhold Forster came to England about the
year 1766, in hopes of getting a living by Literature.
With a growing young family, he found it difficult to
make ends meet. His son [Johann] Georg was his ardent
hope, and certainly showed much promise. Both father
and son made friends among the learned, alike on account
of their personal character and their mental gifts. They
went as naturalists on the second circumnavigation.
Socially, this arrangement was not a complete success,
because of the father's irascible temper and frequent
misunderstandings with Captain Cook. The result of
their scientific labours was all that could be desired.
But £4000 proved an inadequate payment for their
services, after expenses were deducted, They were
soon as impecunious as ever, J. R. Forster was glad to
accept an offer from Banks of four hundred guineas
for his drawings. After this, the Forsters proposed to go
back to Germany. Georg insinuated the idea of a public
subscription to enable them to do so. The father wrote to
Banks (February, 1778) with a sad relation of the state
of the family affairs. It must be about this time
that Banks lent him £250. Then the two went to
Germany, and succeeded better than they had done
in England. Georg was a Professor at Cassel for several
years, and corresponded freely with Sir Joseph ; on
scientific topics generally, and sometimes on money
matters.

J. R. Forster placed himself under the patronage of
Frederick the Great. He became Professor of Natural
History at Halle, and held the post with considerable

170 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

distinction for twenty years. But he carried his financial
troubles with him. He had to make an arrangement
with his creditors. The Duke of Brunswick appears to
have acted a friendly part, and probably aided the
unlucky debtor. But, presently, it was discovered that
within the schedule of his debts Forster had omitted to
mention the £250 due to Banks. The latter was angry,
and expostulated ; he would have at least some formal
security, even if only the son at Cassel would give it.
He did not expect to see the money again, but security
he must have. His language to the agent of the Duke
was very determined ; his letter rather warmly insisted
that the legal proceedings in the case did not accord with
his sense of justice ; and he meant to have it in his
power to enforce the payment if ever Forster's circum-
stances should improve, " and no one can say that some
time or other that may not be the case."

Georg Forster was not more fortunate in his pecuniary
affairs. He was in arrears for five years' subscription to
the Royal Society. Upon his request that they would
excuse the debt altogether, Sir Joseph told him that the
Council " were unanimous in opinion that his petition
could not be granted, without a precedent likely to be
disadvantageous to the finances of the Society."

In spite of these petty difficulties, Sir Joseph Banks
was always kindly disposed toward the Forsters, admired
their mental gifts, and was sufficiently desirous for their
worldly advancement. The progress of scientific in-
vestigation was, after all, a passion with Banks ; this
involved a sure regard for men like the Forsters, not-
withstanding their inability to keep a good footing in
their more worldly affairs. Nor was he niggardly toward
them. J. R. Forster published at Halle, in 1781, in
Latin and German, " Illustrations of Natural History,
15 plates, small folio. Engraved at the joint expense of
Sir Joseph Banks, Mr. J. G. Loten, and Mr. Pennant."

MAECENAS AND HIS HAPPENINGS 171

Georg Forster held a Professorship at Wilna for some
time, but returned to Cassel. His reputation never
diminished during his lifetime, which closed prematurely
in 1794. Among his numerous writings may be found a
European Travel-book, containing a notice of the Fine
Arts, etc., in England.

i

CHAPTER XI
THE SCOFFER ABROAD

foregoing chapter is unexpectedly in-
teresting. The reason lies here : the material
on which it is founded contains so many of
the familiar aspects of elementary human
nature. That magnetic attraction toward the great and
the good, on the part of the less-fortunate and the half-
hearted, may be said to belong to one of our First Prin-
ciples. This remark is hazarded not in any spirit of
contempt. On the contrary, if you give yourself time to
ponder over the matter, it will be perceived that you are
touching the very basis of civilization when you see men
regard, with a longing, lingering glance, maybe — the
pinnacles of success in life. There are persons of a shallow
order of mind who will ascribe this attitude to the meaner
motives. But this is an unkindly sentiment. To sound
the praises of the victor, at Marathon or at Trafalgar, at
Lord's or on Putney reach, is to raise the standard of your
own potentialities. " When thou doest well unto thyself,
men will speak good of thee," because the tribute of
praise and honour is a secret and silent power for good
works in the breast of every beholder. The sight of high
principle in action is far and away the best educative
force.

The reader needs hardly to be reminded that notoriety
has its penalties as well as its gratifications. The hero
of this short story, and his immediate friends and asso-
ciates, were as lights shining in a mixed world. The

172

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 173

eighteenth century had certain social aspects greatly to
be deplored, upon which a vivid glare of light has been
thrown, casting into unmerited shade much that was
good. And the lovers of scandal have had their fill. No
one could be placed on a social pedestal, without being
exposed to the shafts of envious or jealous scribblers and
caricaturists. In the days of which we speak, slander and
caricature were at their best — or worst. A small tribe of
men, who either distrusted or despised the public recogni-
tion of virtue and worth, had arisen, that earned their
living by reckless defamation, and the best men suffered
with the worst.

The net result of these " lyttel gestes " is to be seen in
the character popularly ascribed to George III. Many
of the familiar fables (as, for example, the King's investi-
gation into the making of an apple-dumpling) are trace-
able to Peter Pindar. Nor is Horace Walpole to be held
innocent of innuendoes which have served to distort most
lamentably the character of the King.

Horace Walpole had very friendly relations with
Banks. He was generally in touch with him on archaeo-
logical matters, in association with Richard Payne Knight.
Marbles and vases, and costly editions of the Classics, and
the possession of unlimited means for the indulgence
of these tastes, cemented the association of these three
worthy men, Walpole's fancy did not go so far as Natural
History toys and playthings, but any new wonder in art
was sure to attract him ; and perhaps awake his ridicule,
as we know. Miss Berry met him at Banks's house one
evening :

" Where was a Parisian watchmaker, who produced
the smallest automaton that I suppose was ever created.
It was a rich snuff-box, not too large for a woman. On
opening the lid, an enamelled bird started up, sat on the
rim, turned round, fluttered its wings, and piped in a
delightful tone the notes of different birds, particularly

174 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

the jug-jug of the nighingale. It is the prettiest play-
thing you ever saw, the price tempting, — only £500.
That economist the P. of W. could not resist it, and
has bought one of these dicky birds." (Journals, etc.,
I, 286.) The few references to Banks which occur
in Walpole's correspondence are humorous, or con-
temptuous, as the reader likes to take them. As, for
example :

"... this, however, is better than his going to draw
naked savages and be scalped, with that wild man Banks,
who is poaching in every ocean for the fry of little islands
that escaped the drag-net of Spain." (To Mann, Septem-
ber 20, 1772.)

" How I abominate Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander who
routed the poor Otaheitans out of the centre of the ocean,
and carried our abominable passions with them." (To
Rev. W. Cole, June 15, 1780.)

Horace Walpole is a representative Scoffer. But his
disinclination to take himself seriously is the worst thing
that can be said of him. It is more than probable that
he was one of those men who could be depended upon
for financial aid when useful or generous objects were
on foot. He had been a Fellow of the Royal Society since
the year 1746, so that he must have been familiar with
Banks 's uniform public spirit. Evidently he had scant
sympathy with the Explorers. When James Bruce was
returned after ten years' absence, during which he had
contributed immensely to the sum of human knowledge,
Walpole announces his return home in short and sarcastic
terms :

"... has lived three years in the Court of Abyssinia,
and breakfasted every morning- with the maids of honour
on live oxen." (To Mann, July 10, 1774.)

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 175

This spirit was characteristic of the times. But it is
greatly to be regretted that Walpole, who could produce
workmanlike and trustworthy records of the past and
many ingenious criticisms, seldom could write with dignity
about his co temporaries.

The Scoffer was abroad, everywhere. No one, in any
stage of life, could escape him. Notoriety of any sort
was exposed to his wiles. Lampooning was the rage ;
and clever lampooners could make money of it. The
reader might have been spared needless allusion to this
sickening topic. Yet it would hardly be doing justice
to this interesting story were it altogether omitted ;
seeing that Banks, as has been shown, stood in the fiercest
glare of publicity.

In point of fact, Banks proved an excellent target for
the shafts of caricature. He was well-born, and hob-
nobbed with sailors. He was a man of fortune, and reck-
lessly defied the conventions in the disposal of his income.
He was a personal friend of the King, a circumstance
fatal in its relation to the discontented spirits of the day.
His Presidency of the Royal Society was matter of ridi-
cule with a small section of his colleagues, on the ground
of his being no mathematician and certainly not another
Isaac Newton. This last grievance, by the way, endured
long after Banks's death.1 And the little rift between
the naturalists and the mathematicians was always liable
to exposure.

The earliest caricature of Banks was harmless enough.

1 The Rev. Thomas John Hussey (astronomer) sends to Charles
Babbage, January, 1830, " half a dozen epigrams on a pair of Busts [in
the Society's HallJ, being a specimen of twelve dozen on the same
subject." One " specimen " will be enough for us : —

" I think I've seen these things look very small,
I've seen a mouse in honest Cluny's stall,
I've seen a flea upon a lion's hide,
And Banks's bust with Newton's side by side."

(Addl, MSS., 37185/23.)

176 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

It was the day of the Macaronis,1 who amused the town
for a long season with published pictures of dandies and
other eccentricities. Banks and Solander were, of course,
lawful prey : with their renown in hitherto undiscovered
trifles. The illustration opposite this page is a faithful
reproduction of the honours paid to them on this occa-
sion.

The Fly-Catching Macaroni is an etching, coloured by
hand, representing Sir Joseph Banks " standing with one
foot on each of two globes. The spheres are reversed to
each other. The Antartick Circle of one, and the Artick
Circle of the other, being uppermost. With a bat-shaped
fly-catcher in each hand, Sir Joseph is endeavouring to
catch a splendidly-coloured Butterfly. He has the ears
of an ass, an ostrich plume is in his hat ; to his head is
attached the Macaroni club of hair. Below the design
these lines are engraved :

" I rove from pole to pole. You ask me why.
' I tell you Truth, and catch a— Fly."

The Simpling Macaroni is an etched whole-length por-
trait of " Dr. Solander, F.R.S., standing in profile to our
right, holding in one hand a large flowering plant, and
in the other a naturalist's knife, on the blade of which
is written the maker's name, ' Savigny.' He appears to
be speaking. Below the design are engraved these

lines :

" Like Soland Goose from frozen zone I wander,
On Shallow Banks grow fat, Sol * * * *."

After the publication of Cook's First Voyage, the world

1 The term signifies " a compound dish made of vermicelli and other
pastes, universally used in Italy. It came into England at the beginning
of the last Peace " (Macaroni and Theatrical Magazine, October, 1772).
The word was introduced at Almack's, and the subscribers came to be
described as Macaronis. Originally aimed at luxury and extravagance,
it eventually came to mean any person who exceeded the ordinary
bounds of fashion and fell into absurdity in consequence. For more
upon the Macaronis see Annals of a Yorkshire House (London, 1911).

"MACARONIS." (CIRCA 1772)

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 177

knew more about Mr. Banks. It was clear that he had
been the life and soul of the party, with his gun, and his
dogs, and his sporting instincts. Cook is not chary in his
admissions that Banks lent considerable spirit to the
Expedition. Hence the newspapers found a new source
of humour, in dwelling upon various incidents in which
he was concerned. Especially seductive was the idea of
his dallying with the tatooed ladies of Otaheite. Little of
this is worth repeating at this distance of time. One skit
in pamphlet form, rather clever, but desperately indecent,
appeared as an Epistle from Oberea the Queen, by whom
the visitors had been entertained and befriended.1

Some ten years after this period there appeared a new
Light in lyric poetry, who kept the town going for up-
wards of a quarter of a century. He called himself
" Peter Pindar* a distant relation of the poet of Thebes,

1 Attributed to Major John Scott, a very versatile pamphleteer of
the day : An Epistle from Oberea, Queen of Otaheite, to Joseph Banks,
Esq. Translated by T. Q. Z., Esq., Professor of the Otaheite languages in
Dublin, and of all the languages of the undiscovered islands in the South
Sea ; and enriched with historical and explanatory notes (4to, London,
1774). This was speedily followed by An Epistle from Mr. Banks,
Voyager, Monster Hunter, and Amoroso, to Oberea, Queen of Otaheite.
Transfused by A. B. C., Esq., second professor of the Otaheite and of every
other unknown Tongue . . . (Printed at Batavia, for Jacopus Opano, and
sold in London, 1774.) Opano, it will be remembered, was the phonetic
form of Banks's name as pronounced by the islanders. An incident of
Cook's second voyage is made use of by the unknown author of " The
Travels of Hildebrand Bowman, Esquire, into Carnovirria, Taupiniera,
Olfactaria, and Auditante, in New Zealand ; in the Island of Bonhom-
mica, and in the powerful Kingdom of Luro-Volupto, on the Great
Southern Continent. Written by Himself ; who went on shore in the
Adventure's large cutter, at Queen Charlotte's Sound, New Zealand, the
fatal 1 7th of December, 1773 ; and escaped being cut off, and devoured,
with the rest of the boat's crew, by happening to be a-shooting in the
woods ; where he was afterwards unfortunately left behind by the
Adventure." (8vo, London, 1778.)

2 i.e. John Wolcot, M.D., originally apprenticed to an apothecary at
Fowey ; he found a patron who discerned in him some talent, and took
him to Jamaica. Here he failed in making a physician's practice. He
came home and took orders ! and returned to Jamaica, where he utterly
failed as a parson. After his patron's death he returned to England, and
started as a physician at Truro. Here he enjoyed but partial success on
account of his general indiscretions. Far too witty a man for that
provincial circle, he presently came to London, in company with young

178 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

and Laureate to the Academy." Beginning with the
painters of the day (1782), he assailed in turn every
public man from the King downward. Every bit of
gossip whatsoever was sure to be repeated in the version
of Peter Pindar. He seemed incapable of praising any
one. Unlike the gentle genuine humorist, he could
palliate nothing. Derision was the beginning, and de-
rision was the end. The versification was marvellously
good, yet the eternal sneer reduced it to twaddle.

After the King, and the members of his Ministry, and
some of the Royal Academicians, Sir Joseph Banks was
Peter's favourite quarry.

" High o'er the world Sir Joseph soars sublime,
The great and fertile subject of my Rhyme," etc.

He is a peg from which hangs a selection of hints
which can serve for throwing in at any juncture.

" Go to the fields, and gain a nation's Thanks,
Catch Grasshoppers and Butterflies for Banks."

Generally, we learn that Banks made of the Royal
Society a Fly Club, and tried to amuse them with frogs,
and flies, and grasshoppers, and weed-and-birds'-nest-
hunting ; that he was overbearing, and kept the mem-
bers awake by loud strokes of his official hammer ; that
he sometimes swore ; that he was " too common, too
ignorant, and too vain for the chair of Newton." He
was a lime-and-mortar Knight, whatever that may mean.
He proposed the plan of a throne for himself, " and
benches for foreign Princes and Ambassadors beneath

John Opie, whose merit he foresaw and resolved to encourage. Some
kind of partnership between them existed for a time. At length, finding
London would neither have him as a priest nor as a physician, he took to
his pen, and carried the town by storm, with " Lyric odes to the Royal
Academicians for 1782." His verse is by no means discreditable, except
for its daring personalities, and some indecencies which we could not
now endure.

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 179

him, whose heads might be on the same plane with the
most noble President's ten toes " ; but

" Th' uncourtly Doctor [Horsley], hostile to the scheme,
Gave a loud horse laugh, and dissolved the dream."

When a little boy at school, he " munched spiders upon
his bread-and-butter." Now : "his dinners are the
wonder of the Nation."

Worse than all this he was, in public, " spoke to by
the King and Queen."

" Enter Sir Joseph, gladdening Royal eyes.
What holds his hand ? a Box of Butterflies !
Grubs, nests, and eggs of humming-birds to please,
Newts, tadpoles, brains of beetles, stings of bees. ..."

There are several entire pieces addressed to Sir Joseph,
as, An Ode on the Report that Sir Joseph Banks was
made a Privy Councillor, very amusing ; and Sir Joseph
Banks and the Emperor of Morocco. Peter's Prophecy is
a third short poem (with frontispiece, by Rowlandson),
altogether coarse and reckless ; a production that must
have tasked heavily the good-humour of Banks's
friends.1

Thus the Pigmy ; taking measure of a giant.

One of the oddest supercheries of the day was a pre-
tended diary of the King, in which he is supposed to be
portraying the characters, and arraigning the motives,
of some of the courtiers.2 He suspects that each one has
his own axe to grind. For example :

1 Peter's Prophecy ; or the President and Poet, or an important
Epistle to Sir Joseph Banks on the approaching election of a President of
the Royal Society (London, 1788). The scene portrayed by the artist
is a Club dinner. Five guests are feeding on reptiles and other trifles.
A servant brings in a young alligator upon a dish. The chairman's
knife is ready, and his face anticipatory of impending joys.

2 Royal Recollections on a tour to Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcester,
and places adjacent, in the year 1788 (;th ed., London, 1788).

i8o THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" That Banks is an odd animal ; with the gait and
physiognomy of a savage ; with a fortune to render him
independent, and with a love of knowledge to occupy him.
He is a servile courtier. A spy on the philosophical world,
— he enables me unperceived to direct my influence
against impertinent and innovating genius ; and I have,
by his means, facilitated foreign negotiations, and grati-
fied the vengeance of German despots on men of letters
who have taken refuge in England." Further to the effect
that Lord Mahon would have been President of the Royal
Society but for Pitt's intriguing.

This brochure was evidently inspired by the Prince's
party against the Court. The writer was the Rev. David
Williams. It was issued by the notorious Captain Thomas
Morris, with a short sketch of Williams 's life. Morris says
that the Royal Recollections " have a species of wit and
humour, as vehicles of important truths, and a facility and
happiness of expression which are peculiar to our author."
This is equivalent to a flat confession that the slanders and
insinuations were done on authority, as part of the cam-
paign against the King and his friends.

A few years later, James Gillray essayed a sportive
picture of Banks. It is reproduced on the adjoining
page. It will be noticed that there is some grace about
it all. The idea that this particular butterfly was specially
attracted by the Crown is absurd enough ; but there were
many ill-natured people at the time who regarded Banks
as something of a toady. The Legend runs thus :

" The Great Sea Caterpillar, transformed into a Bath
Butterfly.

" Description of the new Bath Butterfly, taken from
the Philosophical Transactions for 1795. This Insect
first crawled into notice from among the weeds and mud
of the South Sea; and, being afterwards placed in a
warm situation by the Royal Society, was changed by
the heat of the sun into its present form. It is notic'd

itterptlui

• i */».

•

A HATH BUTTERFLY

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 181

and valued solely on account of the beautiful Red which
encircles its body, and the shining spot on its breast ; a
distinction which never fails to render caterpillars valu-
able." Banks had just been made a K.B.

When Sir Joseph had occasion to rebuke any one, he
stated his case without heat and without exaggeration.
But he did not mince matters. Nor was there any antici-
patory excuse or palliation. The really great-natured
man does not proceed to extremities until compelled ;
and only at that point because any sense of personal in-
jury is subordinate to a sense of outraged principle. It
is this latter feeling that creates surprise, and even resent-
ment, in persons who have supposed that they can go to
any length they like in imposing on good nature. Banks
was frequently being imposed upon, either by friends and
acquaintances, or by outside adventurers. There was
really, in his case, a premium on presumption.

Mr. Pennant, in his Autobiography,1 speaks of a rup-
ture which occurred between himself and Banks, but
which presently blew over. It was caused by the mis-
conduct of J. F. Miller, the artist of Banks's Icelandic
plants, and the occasional draughtsman of flowers for
him. Banks had always treated Miller very liberally.
But the day came when he must needs dismiss him from
friendship.

Sir Joseph Banks to Thomas Pennant.

" SOHO SQUARE, May 4, 1783.

" DEAR SIR, — On my return to town after the Easter
holidays I received a message from you by Mr. Dryander
informing me that you had purchased from Miller, whom I
took with me as my articled draughtsman to Iceland, cer-
tain drawings of that country, and enquiring if I had any

1 Literary Life of the late Thomas Pennant, Esq. (London, 1793).

182 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

objection to your publishing some of them. In answer to
which I must inform you that, without entering into the
question of the propriety of buying things circumstanced
as these were, that I have always considered them as stolen
from me in a most unhandsome and illegal manner ; and
have held myself ready to prosecute Miller if he should
publish them in any shape whatever. So circumstanced,
I trust that you will excuse me for refusing my consent
to their publication, as I must consider such a measure
a material injury to the Journal of my Icelandic voyage
obtained at no small expense ; and probably, if leisure
allows me hereafter to print it, to be attended with no
small emolument. Your faithful servant," etc.

Mr. Pennant did not reply to Sir Joseph in the proper
spirit. There was no pretence of apology for his false
step. He only thought, it would appear, of the success
of his own project. This is much to be regretted, since
the two men had been attached to each other for a good
many years. The present episode is, doubtless, the one
in question, just alluded to.

Before presenting Mr. Pennant's letter, it will be in-
teresting to see the initial cause of the breach between
the two friends.

John Frederick Miller to Mr. Banks.

" COWLEY STREET, May 18, 1776.

" SIR, — At the time I was engaged with you to draw
your plants you was so obliging as to lend me the volume
of Redinger's Curious Animals. Herewith I return the
same with my thanks. The bearer of this will also deliver
you the picture which you commissioned me to sell for
you.

" When I was with you last Thursday, the i6th instant,
I was extremely surprized of your treatment to me. Now

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 183

that surprize is over, I will answer your accusation with
coolness and candour. You, Sir, did reproach me for ex-
hibiting in the artists' room in the Strand the Massonia.
I gave you then my reasons why, because I did see you
withheld the name of those who made the drawings for
you. I confess I thought it, and on that account, Sir,
I did exhibit that Plant. You, Sir, was also pleased to
say you should not be surprized to see half your South
Sea plants published by me in time ; and that if I did
dare publish, draw, or sell any of them, you would prose-
cute me to the utmost of the law.

" I am sorry, Sir, you could descend to make that ex-
pression. Time, and my actions, will convince you that
I am above the law, for I am determined never to trans-
gress it. In the proposals for my intended work you will
read that all the plants are to be drawn from the life
(not from dry'd specimens). Time will evince, and the
public will judge, how far your suspicion is founded in
Truth. I am," etc.

The same.

" DORSET COURT, November, 1776.
" Mr. Miller's compliments to Mr. Banks. Mr. Miller
sends the drawings of the Heliconia agreeable to Dr.
Fothergill's request. Mr. Miller begs the return of the
drawings soon. . . ."

Joseph Banks to J. F. Miller.

" To Mr. Miller, Junr.

" November 26, 1776.

" MR. MILLER, — Since you have publish'd engravings of
drawings which you made for me at my expense, I desire
to have no further concern with you.

" With this you will receive back your engraving of
the Chamaeleon.

iS4 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" Mr. Banks will send Dr. Fothergill's drawing of the
Heliconia back to Mr. Miller when he has done with it."

Mr. Pennant to Sir Joseph Banks.

" DOWNING, May n, 1783.

" DEAR SIR, — A loitering journey prevented me meet-
ing your favour sooner than last night. Be assured I
shall never do any act which may deprive you of the
least particle of fame or emolument, therefore rest assured
that the Drawing returns into the magazine of my private
amusement. I was directed to that in question by an
information of Mr. Greville that such was on public sale,
otherwise should never have thought of them.

" My design is in my preface to my ' Arctic Zoology ' to
give an historical, geographical, and physical account of
the countries of whose animals I treat ; and my intention
was to have illustrated it with views expressive of the
regions I passed through. For that end, I applied to
Mr. Stephens for the use of a few of the drawings of the
headlands on the northern side of N. America, and which
he informed me were in your custody. They were those
which I saw on your table in company with Captain King.
I should have been happy to have had the use of them,
as I heard you mention that they were not to be en-
graven. Nor did I see them in the list of plates shewn to
me by Dr. Douglas. Those drawings were mere head-
lands, very lofty, black streaked with snow. As they
are neither with you nor the Admiralty I presume that
Captain King has them. My assiduity and labour for
so great a length of time make me consider myself as a
public man, meriting the assistance of my friends. I
therefore hope. Had those drawings been with you I
should not have been denied my request. My Preface
has had the sanction of good judges, therefore must not
be suppressed. I am," etc.

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 185

Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. Pennant.

(May 15, 1783.) " SIR, — The description you give me of
Views you are desirous of publishing is so slight, that I am
not able to determine what you mean. Of course I cannot
inform you where they are to be met with. For my own
part, I do not know that any Drawing, the property of
the Admiralty, is lodged in my hands, except such either
have been or are to be engraved in the intended publica-
tion of Captain Cook's Voyage. But whatever there may
be, I cannot think it would be proper for me to deliver
them to any one without an order for so doing from the
Board to which they belong.

" Your claim of assistance as a man to whom the
public is under obligations, as far as it relates to the
Admiralty, they must discuss. For my own part, I can
easily settle my opinion upon it. At least, in the present
instance, I am not mistaken in saying it does not entitle
you to expect from me the use of another's property till
you have obtained the consent of the owner.

" You say that your Preface must not be suppressed :
words to me unintelligible, unless they mean a threat.
Indeed, I know not how to interpret the word ' must '
into any other sense. If that should be the case, I can
only say that I consider myself not incapable of defensive
measures if attacked. If otherwise, the whole sentence
must be consigned to oblivion ; as I do not think the
public likely to patronize any symptoms of pugnacity
which I may exhibit, unless I had ample reason given
me for submitting it to their tribunal. I am/' etc.

Another occasion upon which Sir Joseph asserted
himself is best described by leaving the correspondence
which follows to speak for itself. Mrs. North, it should be
stated, was wife of the Bishop of Winchester.

186 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Mrs. Brownlow North to Sir Joseph Banks.

" WINCHESTER HOUSE, CHELSEA, July 27, 1787.
" Mrs. North presents her compliments to Sir Joseph
Banks, and has the honour to send him thirteen of Mr.
Brown's drawings, which he subscribed for at Mrs.
Greville's when she had the pleasure of meeting him at
dinner. There are three more drawings due to Sir Joseph,
and it will be unnecessary to pay the remainder of the
subscription, which is two-and-a-half guineas, until Sir
Joseph hath received the whole. As to the letter-press
mentioned in the proposals, Mr. Brown finding he has
lost amazingly by the drawings alone, it will not be in
his power to comply with that part of his agreement ; but
as he is willing to refund the first payment of two-and-a-
half to any of his friends who shall disapprove of this
deviation from his original plan, Mrs. North flatters
herself that Sir Joseph Banks will not be displeased with
this alteration."

Sir Joseph Banks to Mrs. North.

" MADAM, — As my inducement to subscribe to Mr.
Brown, besides the honour of obeying your commands,
was entirely the hopes of promoting the publication of
a book which, by being in the hands of different people,
might promote the communication of their ideas to each
other on the subject of the plants it was to treat upon,
I shall certainly accept of his proposal of giving up half
his subscription on account of not fulfilling the proposals
by which he bound himself ; but as the poor man repre-
sents that he is already a loser by the execution of this
part of his plan, he intends to adhere to, I am most ready
to return the thirteen drawings you did me the honour
to send to me yesterday, leaving the 2\ guineas he has
already received with him as a homage to your recom-

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 187

mendation ; and shall leave orders that they be delivered
to him whenever he will give himself the trouble of calling
for them in Soho Square."

Mrs. North to Sir Joseph Banks.

" FARNHAM CASTLE, August 9, 1787.
" SIR, — I had the honour of your letter yesterday, and
am extremely concerned that I should be under the
necessity of giving you the trouble of receiving a second
letter from me. But as there seems to be a misunder-
standing relative to the drawings in question, I must beg
to refer you to the paper I gave you of Mr. Brown's
proposals, in which you will see that the letter-press was
only to contain an illustration of light and shade, and no
Botanical description to promote the communication of
his ideas to others. As I had received the two-and-a-half
guineas from you, I thought it right to state the case as
it really was, especially as I had acted the same by the
Duke of Northumberland and others. But I by no means
intended to impress you with sentiments of compassion
for Mr. Brown, but merely to give you the option of
taking the drawings or not as you thought proper; as
he does not stand in need of pecuniary assistance, though
he may want friends to bring him forward in the world
and do justice to his talents. In this light I solicited your
protection, and as it was with no other motive I must beg
to decline your offer of the two-and-a-half guineas. I
shall send the drawings and leave the money due to you
with your servant in Soho Square. I am," etc.

Sir Joseph Banks to Mrs. North.

" MADAM, — The words of your last favour certainly
impressed me with the idea that Mr. Brown was in some
need of pecuniary assistance : which, misled by that
opinion, I offered willingly. I rejoice, however, to hear

i88 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

that his circumstances put him above the acceptance of
my offer. For the matter of his talents as an Artist, I
must plainly confess that I do not rate him so high as
by your note now before me it appears you do. If any
of my friends who may rest their opinion on my judgment
in botanical matters had been misled into a belief that
I ever conceived an idea that Science would receive
benefit from his pencil, which in my estimation is better
adapted to trace patterns for the Loom or the Needle than
to copy the intricate though apparently simple forms
which nature assumes in the vegetable world.1

" Excuse, madam, I request, the plainness of this
declaration ; which the intention you signify of returning
the money I have subscribed makes necessary. Believe
me, with due respect/' etc.

Dr. Beddoes 2 was a distinguished physician and
chemist. He was one of the first to suspect that the re-
cent discoveries in chemistry could be well applied to
the study of medicine. He supported his views with
much eloquence and lucidity, and had a numerous
following.

In 1790 he was reader of Chemistry at Oxford ; but
the freedom of his opinions on political topics, especially
favourable to the French Revolution, made his position
there untenable. He resigned in 1792, being then about
thirty-two years of age. Soon after this period his
thoughts were turned to what he called Pneumatic
Medicine, i.e. the driving out disease by the inhalation of
a medicated atmosphere. Proposals were made for
raising a hospital at Bristol for systematically carrying

1 Incomplete (from a draft).

2 Thomas Beddoes, M.D. (b. 1760). His abilities at Oxford University
were early recognized. He was a good linguist, botanist, and chemist,
and became known as an enthusiastic philosopher, with vigorous and
independent mind. He married a daughter of R. L. Edgeworth, and
became the father of Thomas Lovell Beddoes the poet.

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 189

out the idea, and much encouragement was offered by
Beddoes's friends.

In due course of time, applications came to Sir Joseph
Banks. In reply to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire,
who warmly urged the merits of the proposed Pneu-
matic Institute, he wrote as follows :

(November 30, 1794.) " Sir Joseph Banks presents his
most respectful compliments to the Duchess of Devon-
shire, and begs Her Grace to give him credit when he
assures her that he feels infinite regret in not finding
himself able to obey Her Grace's commands respecting
Dr. Beddoes. Sir Joseph had once his doubts concerning
the propriety of his giving public countenance, of any
kind, to a man who has openly avowed opinions utterly
inimical to the present arrangement of the order of
Society in this country ; but the Duchess's better opinion
of the Doctor has wholly satisfied him on that head.
His doubts are now confined to the Doctor's project of
trying the effect of gases upon patients labouring under
the consequences of pulmonary disease. On that head,
Sir Joseph is of opinion that there is a greater probability
of a waste of human health, if not of life, being the conse-
quence of the experiment ; than an improvement in the
art of Medicine being derived from its results. He cannot
therefore, with a safe conscience, give encouragement,
either public or private, to an undertaking in his opinion
more likely to be attended with mischievous than bene-
ficial consequences."

The lady, in the course of her rejoinder, says that her
passion for Natural History, Chemistry, etc., had begun
abroad, and she was ignorant of the existence of such
a person as Dr. Beddoes until she was recently introduced
to him at Bristol. " It was not till some time after that
I heard his political opinions had occasioned his leaving
Oxford. But I was told, at the same time, that he had

THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

long since abjur'd them and was wholly given up to
philosophical experiments. . . . My idea was that his
plan was a fair and open trial at real investigation ;
and that by proving once for all whether pneumatic
Chemistry was, or was not applicable to medicine, he
would either open up a new branch to general utility,
or for ever prevent any trial that might be hurtful. . . .
I think your protection of such consequence to any under-
taking that I shall feel inclined to advise Dr. B. to give
up any public trial without it."

Sir Joseph Banks to the Duchess of Devonshire.

" December 2, 1794. — Sir Joseph Banks presents his
respectful compliments to the Duchess of Devonshire.
He once more entreats Her Grace to believe him, when
he assures her that he has felt more uneasiness than he
can express from the misfortune of differing in opinion
from Her Grace relative to the probable event of Dr.
Beddoes's experiments ; and would have instantly sacri-
ficed his reason to his respect for Her Grace, had he not
found it necessary to be very careful in preventing his
name from appearing as an encourager of projects he
does not think likely to prove beneficial to Society. . . .

"... he will readily change his opinion the moment
he is enabled to do so by a conviction of his having before
been in the wrong. He cannot suppose his name a matter
of material consequence to Dr. Beddoes, being in no
degree connected with the study of medicine. . . . He
feels confident that the signature of Sir L[ucas] Pfepys]
or any other of the fashionable physicians would do the
Doctor a hundred times more service than a dissertation
from him, in favour of pneumatic medicine.

" Sir Joseph would not have been a moment after he
heard of the Duchess's arrival in London, without pre-
senting himself at Devonshire House, had it not been

THE SCOFFER ABROAD 191

the week of the anniversary of the Royal Society, when
he is necessarily so much occupied. ... He will certainly
to-morrow pay his respects where they are so justly due."

A few days afterward, there was a similar interchange
of communication with Mr. James Watt, between whom
and Sir Joseph there was much friendly intercourse. But
Banks was not to be moved. He had seen no proofs of
the efficacy of the new system ; and he ventured to
repeat the suggestion that " the medical gentlemen, many
of whom are in the most affluent circumstances, should
lead the way " by their subscriptions and by their
moral support. . . . " You flatter me by saying that
my name will be of use to Dr. Beddoes. If it is capable
of being useful in attracting other subscribers it is because
I have been careful hitherto not to annex it, in any matter
of importance to humanity, unless I had sufficient con-
viction of the probability of its success. In the case of
Dr. Beddoes I do not fully understand it. ... I hope,
Sir, this argument will satisfy you that I am not un-
reasonable in requesting that I may not be pressed any
more by the Doctor's friends to do what I have already
formally declined to do."

By the help of James Watt, R. L. Edge worth, and
other liberal friends, the Pneumatic Hospital was opened
at Bristol in 1798, and lasted a few years.

CHAPTER XII
EUROPEAN FAME

SIR JOSEPH BANKS was not only mindful of the
courtesies due to foreign savants from their
friends in England. He extended toward them
a hand full of zeal and warmth. The prevalent
knowledge of this fact had much to do with the respect
in which he was held throughout Europe, and the
reverence usually paid to the Royal Society.

One incident that occurred during the period of the
French Revolution is so characteristic of him that it may
be presented with some detail.

The explorer, La Perouse, was long overdue. He
was last seen at Botany Bay early in 1788. The National
Assembly at length sent out a search Expedition, under
the command of Joseph D'Entrecasteaux, in September,
1791. He was accompanied by the botanist La Bil-
lardi&re, charged with the natural history department
of the Expedition, This latter gentleman was well
known to Banks, in whose house he had spent much
time studying the collection of plants, minerals, etc.,
stored in Soho Square. At the request of La Billardiere,
Sir Joseph wrote a series of instructions for his use,
politely disclaiming, meanwhile, that it was in his power
to teach him anything new.

The voyage of D'Entrecasteaux was in every way
successful, except as to finding any trace of La Perouse.
He had reached the neighbourhood of Java with hopes
of a speedy end of his long cruise. But here misfortunes

192

EUROPEAN FAME 193

began. The Captain succumbed to a complication of
scurvy and dysentery. The command fell upon De
Rossel, who had the ill-luck to discover that it was war-
time. His ships and his treasures were seized by a
British frigate, and La Billardiere's valuable collection
of plants, birds, etc., was brought to England. The
Due d'Harcourt, an emigre officer in the British service,
appears to have been the captor ; and on his arrival in
London he proposed to the Queen's Chamberlain that the
fine Herbarium now in his hands should be presented
to Her Majesty. Major Price forthwith wrote to Sir
Joseph Banks, asking him to visit Harcourt House and
inspect the collection with a view to determine whether
the whole, or a part, should be added to that of Her
Majesty.

Sir Joseph Banks to Major William Price.

" SOHO SQUARE, March 31, 1796.

" MY DEAR SIR, — In consequence of my sending on
Tuesday morning to Harcourt House, in order to learn
whether orders were left for my having admission to see
the collections there during Lord Harcourt's absence, I
received a letter from the Duke ... of the whole
curiosities collected on board the Discovery ships that
were commanded by M. D'Entrecasteaux, and that they
are 'offered as a present to the Queen by the King of
France.1 . . . They consist of a vast Herbarium, collected
in all the places at which the ships touched, a large
collection of dried Birds, a considerable number of dried
Lizards and Snakes, some Fish in spirits, and some Insects
which are said to be much damaged.

The collection of plants bears testimony to an industry
all but indefatigable in the botanists who were employed,

1 i.e. Louis XVII, who was, by a legal fiction, the sovereign of the
d'Harcourts.

i94 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

the chief of whom I am sorry to say was the principal
fomenter of the mutiny which took place in the ships,
built upon the strongest Jacobin principles. . . .1

" As the duplicates would serve no purpose but to
encumber Her Majesty, I shall with pleasure, if I am
honoured with Her Royal commands, undertake to
select a complete collection of one good specimen of
such species ; but as individual specimens from whence
they are to be taken cannot number less than ten thou-
sand, every one of which must be separately examined,
I dare not undertake to complete the work in less than a
year from the present time.

" The Birds are in tolerable preservation, and many of
them extremely beautiful. If Her Majesty chooses to
make a collection, I would by all means advise Her
Majesty to accept them. There are about twelve hundred,
many of them quite new. The cost, however, of stuffing
them . . . and providing glass cases to contain them,
would amount to several hundred pounds. The Snakes
and Lizards are dried. They might be mixed with the
Birds, as some of them are not only curious but as hand-
some as such reptiles can be. ...

" Provided, as I conclude is likely to be the case, that
Her Majesty does not choose to encumber herself with
the stuffed animals, a word from her would probably
direct the Due d'Harcourt's attention toward the British
Museum, where they would become a National ornament,
and promote materially the knowledge of Natural
History. . . ."

Further, there is a suggestion that the charts and
sketches would be best placed in the King's library,
" where men of real Science have always access, in a

[§?• l It was a curious complication of affairs. The naval officers were
adherents of the White Flag, and the naturalists were all republicans.

EUROPEAN FAME 195

manner that does honour to the King's liberal mind
and the proper discrimination of his Librarian."

The spoil thus disposed of, Sir Joseph had probably
begun his self-imposed task of examination and selec-
tion, graciously accepted by the Queen. Five months
elapsed. Then representations were made, apparently
from Jussieu, which caused Banks to look at the recent
windfall in a new light. The French Directory wished to
rescue the Prize on behalf of their nation. There were
those in England who objected to the restoration of the
Collection, and used the strong language of the period,
about Regicides and Cockatrices ; but they mostly
yielded to Banks's opinion on the subject. The following
excellent letter tells the whole story, from his point of
view.

Sir Joseph Banks to Major Price.

" August 4, 1796.

" MY DEAR SIR, — Since I had the honour of writing to
you on the subject of the Collection of Curiosities offered
by the Due d'Harcourt as a present to the Queen, the
whole of the business relating to these things has taken a
very different form. I sincerely hope it will not be pro-
ductive of any disappointment to Her Majesty, and I
feel it my duty to do all in my power to obviate as much
as I am able all possibility of that being the case.

" When the Collection was offered to the Queen it was
supposed by all who were concerned in making the offer
that it belonged to the present King of France ; and it
was believed that the late King interested himself
personally in directing the outfit of the voyage, and that
His Majesty actually employed on his own service the
persons engaged to make Collections. An application
having since been made by the Directory of France,
requesting that the collection might be returned to
M. de Billardiere, in the same manner as M. Ulloa's papers

196 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

were returned to him when captured by an English vessel,
in order that he might be enabled to publish his observa-
tions for the advancement of knowledge as Ulloa had done.
For, the enquiry was made, in the course of which it
appeared that the late King of France took particular
interest in the outfit of this Expedition in which M. de La
Billardiere sailed ; and that the mistake of His Majesty's
having done so probably originated in the fact of his
having done so in the voyage of the unfortunate M. de La
Perouse : who, it is confidently said, was honoured with
private instructions in the King's own handwriting.

" Under this view of the business, His Majesty's
Ministers have thought it necessary, for the honour of the
British Nation and for the advancement of Science,
that the right of captors to the Collection should on this
occasion be waived ; and that the whole should be
returned to M. de La Billardiere, in order that he may be
enabled to publish his observations on Natural History
in a complete manner. . . . By this Her Majesty will
lose an acquisition to her Herbarium which I very much
wish'd to see deposited there ; but the national character
of Great Britain will certainly gain much credit for
holding a conduct toward Science and scientific men
liberal in the highest degree.

" Have the goodness, my dear Sir, to state these
matters to the Queen on the first convenient opportunity,
and do me the further favour of acquainting me as soon
as you can with Her Majesty's pleasure on the subject.
Add, if you please, that it is in my power, I verily believe,
to make an addition to Her Majesty's Collection as
valuable at least as the one in question. That I shall
feel myself honoured in the extreme if I have permission
to do so ; and that in case I am so fortunate I will, the
moment I return from my annual journey to Lincolnshire,
undertake the business of preparing and arranging the
plants in such manner as I think the most likely to

EUROPEAN FAME 197

render them worthy the honour I solicit for them and
for me."

Sir Joseph further wrote to Jussieu, telling him that
the British Government had, after much pressure,
consented to waive belligerent rights in the present case.
The following remarkable passage is, we conceive,
biographical matter : a confession worthy of being
placed along with other testimony to Banks's frank and
generous character :

" I confess I wished much to have from his specimens
some of those discoveries in the natural order of plants
which he must have made ; but it seemed to my feelings
dishonourable to avail myself even of the opportunity
I had of examining them. ... I shall not retain a leaf,
a flower, or a botanical idea of his. I have not possessed
myself of anything at all of his that fortune committed
to my custody."

Banks's conduct on this and similar occasions was
never forgotten, when an orator sought inspiration
for a eulogy of British generosity. After the death of
La Billardiere [1834], the story of this adventure was
once more told.

The affair of the naturalist Dolomieu gave another
occasion for Banks's intervention, which he was enabled
to offer through his old friend Hamilton.

Sir William Hamilton was an attached friend of
Banks, for perhaps thirty-five years. When in residence
at the Court of Naples, he was a frequent correspondent.
His letters range over such matters as volcanoes and
natural curiosities, vases, books, politics, gardening, and
Emma Hamilton ; together with minor topics, as the
defective points in the character of the Neapolitan
Court and people, and repeated invitations of Banks to
visit Italy. He was on leave in England in the autumn of

198 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

1783, and took an active part in the proceedings of the
Royal Society : doubtless he was one of the stalwarts
at the service of the President during that winter.
Hamilton was proud of his membership of the Royal
Society, and he certainly contributed something toward
its glories. We owe to him much practical knowledge
of volcanoes, furnished at a period when the topic was
matter for elementary speculation.

Soon after Sir William had returned to his post in South
Italy, he was seized with the idea of forming an English
garden, adjacent to the country palace of Caserta ; and
suggested to the Queen the great improvement it would
make to the estate. Banks was already a familiar name
to the Royal couple, and several petty compliments were
exchanged. Sir William having pointed out the ad-
vantages of Banks 's advice and assistance, the Queen was
readily induced to consent to the project. She promised
to allot £100 sterling per month toward the expense, and
urged the choice of a British gardener and nurseryman.

Sir William writes to Banks : "I told her that you
had been so good as to promise to assist me. ... A
man of sense and judgment, and high in his profession,
must certainly be tempted, to quit his country and
establish himself in a distant foreign one. He should
therefore be liberally paid. . . . All this is to be done
without the King's interference; and she rejoices in the
thought of surprising him some day with a plate of fruit
out of her garden much superior to his. And, indeed, that
may very easily be done ; for, notwithstanding the great
advantage of climate, we have in England (except grapes
and figs) every fruit of a superior quality to that of
Naples. ..."

" My collection of visiting-tickets for Miss Banks
increases daily ; and indeed some are very curious. I
will send what I have by the first safe hand. They are
too precious to be trusted by sea."

EUROPEAN FAME 199

This last sentence concerns an undertaking which
Banks appears to have entrusted to his friends all over
Europe. Allusions will be made later on to this monster
Collection.

Further reference to the projected garden shows that
Hamilton was taking great pleasure in the new occupation
it gave him. " The whole art of going through life
tolerably, in my opinion, is to keep one's self eager
about anything," he says. He really did keep eager about
the Caserta garden. It caused him infinitely more trouble
than he could have expected ; but it resulted in a great
triumph of skill and taste. The gardener whose services
were obtained by Banks was John Graefer, a German
who had come into England when very young and
was now quite naturalized. He was with Philip Miller
and other good horticulturists; and afterward raised a
nursery-garden at Mile End in partnership with two other
adepts.

Graefer had enormous difficulties to meet, such as
racial opposition and individual national laziness.
The obstacles Sir William had to contend with were the
jealousy of courtiers, and of the household servants
who beheld some of their perquisites diverted from their
natural course. After a long lapse of time, King Ferdi-
nand became interested in the garden, took it into his
own hands, and showed by his treatment of Graefer
that the man was to be properly honoured. Then things
went very well. Hamilton presently writes with a good
deal of enthusiasm. The growth of all the imported
plants (mostly from England) was surprising. Exotics
were everywhere flourishing. " The Camphor-tree has
shot up, in the open air, six feet in three months. The
verdure of our turf at this moment (August) is as fine as
in spring, seeing we have command of water."

The second marriage of Sir William had been under-
taken after something like a consultation with his friend

200 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Banks. Whether there was anything of the nature of
reproach on his part, we can but guess. The following
letter seems to show Sir William somewhat in an attitude
of defence. The unconsecrated union with Emma
Lyon had now existed some time. Banks, who belonged
to a class of persons whose propriety was unimpeachable,
but who were not willing to quarrel with others whose
notions were less strict, as long as the outward decencies
were observed, had evidently suggested marriage. Sir
William was greatly attached to him, and bore with good
humour this friendly interference. The question being
raised, however, Banks had the pleasure of welcoming his
friend in London in the following year. The marriage
took place in September, 1791, at Marylebone church.

" NAPLES, April 6, 1790.

". . .To answer your question fairly : was I in a private
station, I should have no objection that Emma should
share with me le petit bout de vie qui me reste, under the
solemn covenant you allude to ; as her behaviour in my
house has been such for four years as to gain her universal
esteem and approbation. But, as I have no thought of
relinquishing my employment, and whilst I am in a public
character, I do not look upon myself at liberty to act as I
please ; and such a step I think would be imprudent and
might be attended with disagreeable circumstances.
Besides, as amidst other branches of Natural History I
have not neglected the animal woman, I have found them
subject to great changes according to circumstances,
and I do not like to try experiments at my time of life.
In the way we live we give no scandal ; she with her
mother, and I in my apartment, and we have a good
society. What, then, is to be gained on my side ? It is
very natural for her to wish it, and to try to make the
people believe the business done, which I suppose has

EUROPEAN FAME 201

caused the report in England. I assure you that I
approve of her so much that if I had been the person
that had made her first go astray, I would glory in
giving a public reparation, and I would do it openly.
For, indeed, she has infinite merit, and no princess could
do the honours of her palace with more ease and dignity
than she does those of my house. In short, she is worthy
of anything ; and I have and will take care of her. But
as to the solemn league, amplius consider andum est."

" Now, my dear Sir, I have more fairly delivered you
my confession than is usually done in this country, of
which you may make any discreet use you please. Those
who ask of mere curiosity I should wish to remain in the
dark. Adieu, and believe me ever sensible of your friend-
ship and kindness to me."

The memorable step taken by Sir William, in 1791,
was abundantly justified if personal comfort and mutual
happiness are worth anything. His letters to Banks,
gossiping over all topics political and social, are never
wanting in some fond reference to his second wife.
Her mental improvement and her facile acquirement of
the ways of high life are his delight. " She has got the
Italian language better than I have in twenty-eight years."
English ladies of the first rank receive her. ..." She
is often with the Queen, who really loves her." . . . There
is now no Past. And they have a common gratification
in the friendship of Sir Joseph Banks.

Emma, Lady Hamilton, to Sir Joseph Banks.

"GIARDINO INGLESE, May 31, 1797.

" DEAR SIR, — I cannot let Sir William's letter go
without assuring you how happy I am to find His Majesty
does justice to your merit, and that you are one of his

202 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Privy Council. I assure you, Sir William loves you
dearly, and has felt happy on hearing of any addition to
your honour and comfort. Think, then, as I am inclined
to love all his friends, how rejoiced I am at your happiness
and welfare ; for indeed I do not consider you as one of
his common friends, and therefore love and esteem you
more than you think I do. I have not shewn to you
much that I have ever thought on you, for I have never
wrote you a line, God knows how long ; but you do not
imagine how my time has been taken up, and what I have
had, and have now, on my hands. Nor indeed, I never
could have thought, nor do I feel myself worthy of the
happiness and honours I have enjoyed for the last few
years.

" We are now at the Queen's garden, resting, and
getting Sir William's health against the return of the
Royal Family from [? Foggia], for we shall have hot work
at the marriage.1 The Queen has been with us two days,
and has made me very happy by giving me a sum for
Graefer to go on with the garden. So we are all very busy
to get on before the princess arrives, as I hear she is fond
of Botany. She must have the garden, she must introduce
Agriculture, she must shew the Neapolitans what Graefer
is ; and your name with his must go down to the Nea-
politan posterity. For, by sending him here, you have
given them Taste. God knows, at present they have
none ; not one except my dear adorable Queen. You
should know her. She is worthy to be known to you and
a few others of your character. Do you know Sir Gilbert
Elliot ? Ask him what she is : everything that's great
and sublime. I hope one day to present you to her.
I have told her so, for she admires you from hearsay ;
and some day, when I have time, you shall know two or
three traits of her excellent character. And, do not

1 Archduchess Clementina to the Hereditary Prince of the Two
Sicilies.

EUROPEAN FAME 203

believe the book the infamous Gorani has written against
her : 'tis all false.

" We go to town to-morrow to prepare for Sunday,
the King's birthday. We have a dinner of a hundred,
and an assembly of a thousand in the evening. In
England, where you count nobility by the hundreds,
we count them by thousands ; for at my ball of a
thousand there will be at least eight hundred Duchesses,
Princesses, etc. ; and not one of them worth a good
farmer's wife in England. However, I wish you was
there ; you would be delighted with the country and
characters.

" I wish I could send you a curiosity I have got,
that you might examine her before the Royal Society.
Tis an old woman of 112, but she looks so young you
would not give her more than 50. She has neither teeth
nor gums ; she was blind, lame, and wrinkled till she
entered her hundredth year. She then, like a serpent,
changed her skin. Her eyesight came back ; she walked ;
and her skin became as fine as any young girl's ; her
neck, arms, etc., are very round, fine, and hard ; her
voice is like a girl's of ten years old ; she sings like a girl
whose voice is still changing from the girl to the woman ;
her memory is perfect, as she tells me things of the last
century ; not the least deaf ; has been fifty years a
widow ; had thirteen children, all dead of old age ; she
walks ten or twelve miles a day ; if sick, does not eat for
two days, and gets well. We asked her how she had con-
trived to live so long. Her answer was, ' Signora, non ho
preso mai ne medicamenti ne collera.' Her name is
Mary, but she is called Mariuccia, which is the abbreviation
of Mary, what we should say Polly. She has had a third
set of teeth ten years ago ; but drinking lemonade sour,
they all dissolved, as they were like the teeth of a fish.
She has five [?] a day to live on from the King, and I gave
her to eat. I told her I would speak to the Queen to get

204 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

her something more. She said she was content with what
she had. She says she is twelve years old, and when she
is fifteen she will be married. She never counts the last
century, and I think may live to the age of Old Parr.
Her neck is just like a young girl's ; and when I made her
shew it to Sir William, she blushed, and felt so ashamed,
more than any modern young lady would do. Sir
William is in love with her. I have had many physicians
to feel her pulse ; and one, a very learned young man
who is with Prince Augustus, says her pulse is the pulse
of a young girl. She dances very often the Tarantella
with me. When she changed her skin, the people here
got it, and kept it like the bone of a saint, for she is
considered as a miracle. So much for Mariuccia, who
has made me bore you by reading this scrawl, for I wrote
in a great hurry. But am ever,. dear Sir, your obliged
and sincere " EMMA HAMILTON."

The correspondence with Naples had become inter-
mittent, probably because of the disturbed state of
communications between England and the Continent.
It revived with some vigour in the year 1799. A long
letter from Sir William (September 13) is quite in his old
vein ; yet with hints that he is getting worn out, and
tired of his post. There is much self-satisfaction over the
services he has been able to perform for the King and
Queen of Naples, with the assistance of Lord Nelson.
A prodigious number of presents and rewards are in the
air. Every Captain of the squadron has shared in these
gifts. Nelson is now Duke of Bronte with an estate
worth 18,000 ducats per annum. Graefer has been made
Nelson's agent, with a handsome salary and an annuity
for his wife. ..." We have deferred our departure till
next spring, when alive or dead I shall come home ; for,
at my first wife's particular desire I am to lie by her in
Slebech church when I am dead. We shall roll soon

EUROPEAN FAME 205

together into Milford Haven, for the sea is undermining
that church very fast. ..."

In the following November it was Banks's turn for long
letters. He had been receiving many applications from
foreign savants, begging his intercession on behalf of
D. Gratet de Dolomieu, then in prison at Naples.
Dolomieu, on his way homeward from Bonaparte's
Egyptian campaign, was taken prisoner in the dominions
of the King of Naples because of some former com-
promising circumstances with the Order of Malta. It
was said he was being treated with barbarity. The scien-
tific world of Europe made urgent demands for release.
Hence thirty applications, at least, to Sir Joseph Banks.

Dolomieu was a harmless naturalist, a pioneer in
geology, and a famous mineralogist. The thing appealed
strongly to Banks, and he pressed the matter upon Sir
William's attention, at some length. He wrote also to
Lady Hamilton, probably judging that her intimacy with
Queen Caroline, of which he had heard so often, would not
fail to bear upon the fate of the prisoner.

Sir Joseph Banks to Emma, Lady Hamilton.

" November 8, 1799.

" MY DEAR LADY HAMILTON, — I have ever been con-
vinced of your friendly disposition toward me ; but the
readiness of my friend Sir William to anticipate on all
occasions my wishes has been so constant hitherto that
I have never before been under the necessity of putting
your ladyship's friendship to the trial.

" Now, however, a business has occurred which cannot,
I am convinced, be effected unless both your influences
are united in soliciting it. If it is possible to engage the
gallant Admiral to join the Trio, which is in the power
of no one but yourself, what may I not hope in everything
from the warmth of your friendship ?

206 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" What I wish for is the liberation of Dolomieu, who,
for the honour of the Kingdom of Naples, ought to be
liberated ; because he is, and must be considered as, a
prisoner of war, and cannot be made answerable by the
law of nations for actions done by him under the orders
of his Commander-in-Chief. I need not trouble you with
details on the subject, as Sir William will no doubt shew
you my letter to him, by which you will find how lively
an interest the scientific persons in Europe take in his
fate.

" Allow me, my dear Lady, to be indebted to you for a
favour which none but yourself can offer. Your influence
is, as it ought to be, unbounded. Gloriously as you are
now circumstanced, having at least a third part of the
merit of replacing the crown on the heads of their Sicilian
Majesties, undertake the business with your usual spirit.
It will be for the honour of the Court of Naples, for the
advancement of Science, for the benefit of humanity,
and will fix an indelible obligation on one who has the
honour of signing himself," etc.

By stipulation in the treaty of peace, after Marengo,
Monsieur Dolomieu was set free. On July 16, 1801, Sir
Joseph was able to write to him congratulating him on
safe arrival in his own land, and hoping he was able to
resume his scientific work. But he died in the following
November.

Sir Joseph Banks to the Right Rouble. William Pitt.

" SOHO SQUARE, March 17, 1797.

" Sir Joseph Banks presents his respectful compliments
to Mr. Pitt, and requests the honour of a few minutes'
conversation with him at any time that may best suit with
Mr. Pitt's convenience. It is on the subject of opening
a communication with Paris for the reception of the

EUROPEAN FAME 207

Literary productions of the Members of the Imtitut
National, and other scientific persons, some of which are
highly interesting to the Royal Society ; and for sending
in return the 'Philosophical Transactions/ the 'Green-
wich Observations/ etc. This has been omitted for
some years past. Sir Joseph has an opportunity of
doing this now by the means of Mr. Charretie", Com-
missary here for the exchange of prisoners. ..."

Sir Joseph Banks to M. Charretie.

" SOHO SQUARE, March 18, 1797.

" SIR, — I lose not a moment in returning to you my
best thanks for the zealous and effectual steps you have
taken to open an intercourse between the Institut National
and the Royal Society. Such communication cannot
but be of material use to the progress of Science ; and
may also lay the foundation of a better understanding
between the two countries in future than, unfortunately
for both, has of late years taken place. . . /'

These two notes illustrate one phase of the disagreeable
position in which scientific, and, indeed, many private
persons, were placed during time of war. It was the
happy lot of Banks to have so much personal influence in
Europe, that he was enabled to alleviate many of the
undeserved troubles of the time.1 He was always ready
to exert himself in restoring men of science to liberty, as
in the case of Dolomieu ; and in recovering valuable
collections from the grasp of British cruisers. According
to Brougham, no less than ten restorations of property
to the Jardin des Plantes were made at his instance,
" which had fallen a prey to our naval superiority.0
As time went on, and war was renewed after the Peace of

1 Lord Auckland spoke of him as " His Majesty's Ministre des
Affaires Philosophiques,"

208 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Amiens, with the result that many unfortunate civilians
were detained in France, it was quite a big department
of Sir Joseph's affairs to correspond with persons begging
his intervention.

The time came when the Ministry of the day felt it
inconvenient to meet these demands on the part of Sir
Joseph. Lord and Lady Shaft esbury were long detained
in France against their will. They wrote to Earl Radnor
complaining that all other methods of obtaining their re-
lease had failed, and begged him to procure a letter from
Sir Joseph Banks to the French Institut requesting their
intercession. At this point Banks had become discouraged
by learning that Lord Howick seemed to dislike his
continued interference. A memorandum, in Banks 's
handwriting, dated October 4, 1806, runs thus : " Was I
countenanced as I think I ought to have been in extending
as much as possible the influence I have over the literary
men in that country, I think I could have done much.
But in that case I must have been allowed some influence
in this country, enough to have enabled me to solicit
with effect such favours for Frenchmen confined here.
This however is now withdrawn by Lord Howick's means,
and I am deprived of its power." A year and a half later
he mentions that his correspondence with France was
stopped by the late Administration, and that the present
one refused to allow him to resume it : "I have released
ten prisoners, all of whom would but for me have been still
in France. The facilities I met with were so much on the
increase when Lord Grey [then Howick] stopped me,
that I could have done a good deal more before this
time/'

The spoils of war, in the shape of " curiosities " of any
sort, sometimes found a home in this country without
being reclaimed. This was the case with Joseph Martin's
collection, from Cayenne, captured by a Hastings pri-
vateer. Seven thousand birds, animals, and plants,

EUROPEAN FAME 209

many of the last in a " high state of health and vegeta-
tion." The captors proposed to give the King a first
refusal, and afterward offered them to Sir Joseph Banks.
Aiton went down the river to inspect the plants, and
reported favourably ; and presently took charge of
them at Kew. In the end a great many of them came
into the hands of the British Museum.

The following unpublished letter from Lord Nelson
tells its own tale. We have not been able to identify the
prize nor to discover what became of her precious cargo.

" Amphion, OFF TOULON,

" July 9> 1803.

" MY DEAR SIR JOSEPH, — One of our frigates has taken
a French corvette, which has been at Athens and brought
from thence some cases of I know not what ; but I
suppose things as choice as Lord Elgin's. I have directed
that the cases should not be opened, but sent to England
as they are ; that if the public wish to purchase them,
Government should have the option. As they are the
property of the lowest seamen, they cannot be presented,
or I should have been truly happy to have had it in my
power to give them to the Royal Society or to the
Academy of Arts. However, I have directed them to
you, hoping that you will take the trouble that Govern-
ment may know the value of them, and if they choose
to buy them pay the money to the Agent. If they do not
think them worthy of their attention, I must content
myself with my kind thoughts toward my country, and
direct the Agent to sell them. Although I do not think
that these works (I suppose of Architecture) are in your
line of pursuits ; yet, by addressing myself to you I
have given myself a great pleasure in enquiring after
your health, and of assuring you of my sincere respect
and esteem.

2io THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

It is beyond dispute that the bitter relations existing
between England and France at this time were softened
by the attitude of literary and scientific men on both
sides of the Channel. The French naturalists, as a rule,
were ardent republicans, but they were Naturalists first.
The British scientists eschewed politics altogether, con-
tent with their traditions and with a national stability
which recent events in Europe seemed powerless to
disturb. Hence, such a body as the Institut National
occupied a unique position ; between the world and the
devil, it may be said. In one way, it was enabled to profit
by the prevailing disorders and dissensions, seeing that it
afforded an intellectual refuge for those who could not
entirely keep away from the storm.

In November, 1801, Count Rumford sent word from
Paris to Sir Joseph, to the effect that the Institut had
elected a number of foreign members, including among
them Banks, Cavendish, Herschel, Maskelyne, and
Priestley.

Sir Joseph Banks to the President and Secretaries of the
National Institut of France.

" LONDON, January 21, 1802.

" CITIZENS, — Be pleased to offer to the Institut my
warmest thanks for the honour they have done me in
conferring upon me the title of Associate of this learned
and distinguished Body.

" Assure at the same time my respectable brothers
that I consider this mark of their esteem as the highest
and most enviable literary distinction which I could
possibly attain. To be the first elected to be an Associate
of the first Literary Society in the world surpassed my
most ambitious hope, and I cannot be too grateful toward
a Society which has conferred upon me this honour, and
toward a nation of which it is the literary representative.

EUROPEAN FAME 211

A Nation which during the most frightful convulsions
of the late most terrible revolution never ceased to
possess my esteem ; being always persuaded, even during
the most disastrous periods, that it contained many
good citizens who would infallibly get the upper hand,
and who would re-establish in the heart of their country-
men the empire of virtue, of justice, and of honour.

" Receive more especially, citizens, my warmest
acknowledgements for the truly polite manner in which
you communicated this agreeable intelligence."

This incident caused an unexpected uproar, as soon as
Banks's letter appeared in the London newspapers.
He and his friends were amazed to find that the occasion
was to be seized for disturbing his hold upon the
Chair of the Royal Society. According to Brougham,
Bishop Horsley took part in the attack. The most
widely-read effusion on the topic was probably that
inserted in Cobbett's Political Register* The tomahawk
lately imported from America was already popular,
and the Register, as its medium, was in its vigorous youth.
Whenever there was a grievance, real or imaginary,
Cobbett's energies were certain to be seconded by some
one as daring and little scrupulous as himself. A Gallo-
phobe correspondent (signing himself Misogallus) seized
the opportunity for a fierce attack on Sir Joseph, re-
producing his letter in full, with a torrent of abusive
sentences in condemnation alike of its purport and of its
manner : " Load of filthy adulation " ; "So little honour-
able to your character and so insulting to the Society
over which you have long presided, that an explanation
or disavowal is demanded by the public voice " ; " Senti-
ments a compound of servility, disloyalty, and falsehood."
And the date, January 21, anniversary of the murder of
Louis XVI, was unfortunate ; it must have been designed

* Vol. I (1802).

212 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" with an opportunity of wounding the pride of English-
men/' etc. Together with some broad misstatements
of fact. As a matter of taste, Banks's letter is by no
means beyond criticism, especially in its allusion to
" disastrous periods." There was certainly cause for the
enemy to blaspheme.

However, nobody was one penny the worse. Sir
Joseph's cronies laughed both at, and with, him. His
old friend J. Lloyd reports that no less than seven copies
of the Register number had been sent to him in his Welsh
retreat, from different friends.

As the opening of the winter session of the Royal
Society approached this affair was revived with some
energy. " A Fellow of the Royal Society " wrote to the
Political Register (November 4) with a torrent of angry
abuse and sneers about the recent insult to the Society,
with this conclusive declaration : " If to be one of the
forty foreign members of the Institut be better than
President of the Royal Society, let us find some other
person on whom to confer a favour long considered of the
highest order." So the murder was out. The small anti-
Banks faction wanted a new President. Sir Joseph was
re-elected in due course.

$ Misogallus (who was never identified) fired a parting
shot in the Register, December 7, to which he subjoined
mock congratulations to Banks on his being once more
seated in the Presidential Chair. According to a letter
of Sir J. E. Smith, the attack in Cobbett's Register
was the handiwork of either Mr. Windham or his friend
E. A. Woodford, the Paymaster for Emigres allowances,
who had been offended by Banks's drastic conduct
over the La Billardrere collection of plants. Others
supposed it to have come from Bishop Horsley's pen.

CHAPTER XIII
THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA

A~~EW world was now coming to its birth, far
away in the Southern Seas.
It has not hitherto been certainly known
to whom is to be credited the proposal to
colonize New South Wales.1 From the following con-
siderations, there can be no doubt that it originated with
Sir Joseph Banks, either in his own mind, or in con-
ference with two or three friends. Botany Bay was
associated with a glorious period in his life ; when, in
company with Solander and Cook, and obsessed with a
furious zeal for his favourite science, he visited a new and
fertile and health-giving land. He could never forget
Botany Bay. Its treasures were represented in his
Herbarium, and many of his comrades on the Expedition
were still among his personal friends.

A Committee of the House of Commons was sitting
in 1779 ; occupied on the question of the transportation
of felons. Sir Joseph Banks was examined before this
Committee. He urged that the coast of New Holland
was the place best adapted for the purpose ; the country
was thinly peopled, the climate was mild and moderate,

1 The people of Sydney have been sufficiently enterprising of late
years in telling the tale of their early history. They have been the
better able to do this, by the acquisition of a number of documents of all
kinds which were bought at Sotheby's sale of Banks MSS. in 1886.
Several volumes of " Records " have been printed ; and the beginning
of an authoritative History of New South Wales is the work of Mr. G. B.
Barton, Barrister-at-Law (vol. I, 1889). See also J. H. Maiden's Banks
the Father of Australia (Sydney, 1909).

213

214 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

and the soil had sufficient variety for purposes of cultiva-
tion ; wild beasts were few, fish was plentiful, grass was
luxuriant, and the water-supply good. He proceeded to
enlarge upon the means necessary for assisting an infant
colony ; and upon the ultimate advantages which would
fall to Great Britain, in new outlets for mercantile
activity and maritime enterprise. The Committee in their
Report asserted the humanity and soundness of Sir
Joseph's views.1

When the conflict with our American colonies finally
ended in separation, in 1782, a vast number of the people
had already been compelled to find refuge in other lands.
Many of them went across the frontier, and became the
staple foundation of modern Canada. Many more came
to the old home. England was swarming with these
Loyalists, as they were called. They were often aided
from the public funds ; but the question arose, and
became urgent, as to their ultimate settlement. And
there arose a project, for those who were willing to go,
for making a new home in the land discovered by Captain
Cook and immortalized by Banks and Solander.

One of Banks 's old shipmates was J. M. Matra (other-
wise Marra), already mentioned in connection with the
second cruise of the Resolution. He was probably an
Irish- American of those days. In 1783, he wrote to
Lord North, asking for a " share in the allowance
granted to the Loyal Americans/'

In July of the same year, he sent this remarkable
message to Sir Joseph Banks :

" I have heard a rumour of two plans for a settlement

1 The proposal to make a convict settlement in New Holland was
not everywhere approved. Visions of an Alsatia, a nest of pirates and
so forth, arose in the eyes of many persons. Alexander Dalrymple made
a strong protest (July, 1785) to the Hon. East India Company against
establishing a penal colony in the South Seas. — v. A Serious A dmonition
to the Public on the intended Thief Colony at Botany Bay, being comments
on Dalrymple's letter ; the same being quoted in full.

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 215

in the South Seas ; one of them for New South Wales
to be immediately under your direction, and in which
Sir George Young, Lord Sandwich, Lord Mulgrave, Mr.
Colman, and several others are concerned. ... I have
frequently revolved such plans in my mind, and would
prefer embarking in such to anything that I am likely
to get in this Hemisphere/' 1

Mr. Matra seems to have become the voice of this
casual committee of Sir Joseph Banks, Sir George Yonge,
and others. He published (under date of August 23)
A Proposal for Establishing a Settlement in New South
Wales, the gist of which is as follows :

The project would, in course of time, atone for the loss
of our American colonies. The climate was favourable,
and the country offered inducements for adventure and
exploration. " It would afford an asylum to those un-
fortunate American loyalists to whom Great Britain is
bound by every tie of honour and gratitude to protect
and support, where they may repair their broken fortunes
and again enjoy their former domestic felicity," etc.
Details of plans for carrying out the project were sug-
gested for consideration. The scheme was approved
by many intelligent Americans. Lastly, the writer
eulogized the liberal and splendid spirit of Sir Joseph
Banks, who was prepared to support his opinion in
favour of it all with His Majesty's Government when they
chose to consult him.2

That the idea was popular is manifest by Matra's
concluding remark, that he was pestered with letters
about it. The Coalition Government was approached,
but Fox and North went out of office in December, and
the thing was shelved. Early in 1784 the new Ministry
gave it some attention. Lord Sydney proposed to im-
prove the plan by connecting with it a convict settlement,

1 Addl. MSS., 33977/206

2 Historical Records of N.S. Wales, vol. I, pt. 2, xxv.

216 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

in lieu of Western Africa, whither felons had been trans-
ported during recent years. The opportunity of sending
them to a better climate was worth considering, together
with the almost certainty that personal reclamation
would be more likely to follow in a land which gave better
opportunity. After two years or so of deliberation the
Pitt Ministry determined on carrying out the joint
experiment.

It should be stated, that Matra had no part in these
things, after all. Through Banks's influence he obtained
a secretaryship in the British Embassy at Constantinople ;
and afterward a consular appointment at Tangier, which
he held for over twenty years. He wrote long letters to
Sir Joseph, full of interest to him in botany, and in
Moorish travel, especially with reference to the exploits
of Hornemann and Park and Lucas. He makes a com-
plaint, the like of which has been heard since, that the
English Government treats its Consuls with great in-
difference. Coins from Barbary were duly gathered for
Miss Banks. Stories of Moorish superstition and crafti-
ness fill many entertaining pages. And Sir Joseph re-
warded him with return letters, which he well deserved.

The first fleet for Botany Bay was at length dispatched
in May, 1787. It included six transports, three store-
ships, H.M.S. Sirius, and the Supply, tender ; all under
the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. They carried
more than one thousand persons, including a number of
male and female convicts, and a first party of settlers.
Their destination was reached safely in January, 1788.
After some consideration, Phillip determined to make the
settlement at Port Jackson, as presenting far the most
suitable conditions for the purpose. It happened that
two ships were standing in that famous harbour, under
the command of the gallant La Perouse. The English
captain resolved to lose no time in selecting a station,

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 217

which he called Sydney Cove, after the then chief of the
Colonial Department. Thus it was maintained after-
ward, that Captain Phillip had forestalled a possible
French occupation by only six days.

How the new colonists fared under Governor Phillip :
in settling and planting ; in travels of discovery ;
in troubles with the convicts ; in periods of scarcity of
food : are matters of high romance which belong to the
early history of Australia. Unaccountably, the historians
of England have left these stirring occurrences severely
alone.1

In all these things it would appear that Sir Joseph
Banks had a consultative share. Indeed, there is reason
to believe that he actually refused high office, on the
ground that his services would be of more value to
the Colony if he kept aloof from ministerial responsi-
bilities.

A memorandum in his handwriting runs thus : "I
could not take office and do my duty to the Colony. My
successor would naturally oppose my wishes. I prefer,
therefore, to be friendly with both sides." 2

But there were other matters within his entire personal
control. A new energy in exploration was aroused. A
long period set in, during which Banks was watching the
products of the country and sending out naturalists at
his own expense. The first botanical results came into his
hands before the close of the year 1789. The second and
following fleets took out selections of seeds for the use of
the colonists, and bore new instructions for the careful
handling of plants destined for Kew. Moreover, he had
an estate of his own ; a memorandum of 1790 gives in-
structions as to the supply of each family with ten con-
vict servants ; victuals for three years ; cows, swine,

1 Except Mr. Lecky, who dismisses it all in a few lines.

2 v. Hist. Records of N.S. Wales, vol. I, pt. 2, p. 229.

218 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

sheep, seed, corn, etc., for two years ; together with tools
and necessaries.1

Captain Phillip remained as Governor of New South
Wales until relieved by his comrade Hunter, in 1792.
Phillip developed high qualities in his post, and succeeded
in winning general approval for the manner in which he
had carried through its initial difficulties. His task was
by no means a light one. As might have been counted
upon sooner or later, a mutiny broke out among the con-
victs. The arrangements for provisioning the people were
by no means adequate to their need, and more than once
they were on the verge of famine. The first of the ships
sent out with fresh supplies was wrecked, and everything
on board lost. The next one brought two hundred and
twenty-two female convicts, many of them invalid and
decrepit ; with hardly enough food for the daily rations
of the people. This, at the very time when the Governor
was advising, for the time, some restriction in dispatching
convicts, excepting carpenters, masons, bricklayers, and
farmers. The reproductive powers of the country were
hardly yet in fair activity. These shortcomings, added
to those resulting from the large proportion of ignorant
and helpless persons in the Colony, made Phillip's task
particularly arduous. Yet he triumphed in great measure
over these adverse circumstances, and handed his au-
thority to Governor Hunter with good promise for future
years.

Hunter's period of office was a time of increasing
prosperity. As far as concerned individual conditions,
everything was improving for the colonists. His suc-
cessor, in the year 1800, was Philip Gidley King. It is
remarkable that these three officers all proved such able
administrators, and reflected such honour on the Naval
Service. Writing to Governor Hunter in March, 1797,
Banks is very enthusiastic over the prospects of New

1 Op. cit., p. 424.

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 219

South Wales. He wishes he could go himself, and settle
on the Hawkesbury River :

"I see the future prospect of empires and dominions
which cannot be disappointed. Who knows but that
England may revive in New South Wales when it has
sunk in Europe ? "

Plans for exploration were thought of. It was in-
tended, in 1798, to send out Mungo Park in charge of an
expedition to the interior. At present, life was centred
in the little settlements at Port Jackson, and on the
Hawkesbury and the Paramatta rivers. As yet there
was no evidence that the Colony would furnish a return
in merchandise for the expense and the exertions of the
Mother Country. In truth, the steps hitherto taken had
been too rudimentary. For several years the settlers had
been dependent for food and necessaries upon importa-
tions from England. And the penal side of the popula-
tion made a horrible drag on the resources of the little
colony.

Several men were distinguishable from the crowd of
settlers by their intelligence and energy. One of these
was John Mac Arthur. He had come out with Major
Grose, whose mission was to raise a New South Wales
Corps. Lands were allotted to the officers of this body ;
a step which more than anything else contributed to the
prosperity of the Colony. Indeed, Grose declared later
that these were the only settlers to be relied upon.

In 1794 MacArthur had two hundred and fifty acres
in cultivation. As a practical farmer, he left his brother-
officers behind ; and was presently given (by Grose) a
sort of Inspectorship of the district. At length, several
sheep brought from the Cape of Good Hope were offered
for sale. They were of a Spanish breed, which had been
thriving at the Cape, and MacArthur bought some of
them. After several years' trial as a breeder, he met with
surprising success. In October, 1800, he sent eight

220 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

fleeces to London, for inspection and opinion. Meanwhile,
his flocks and his acres increased " by leaps and bounds."

In 1803 Mac Arthur was sent to England under arrest,
because of a duel in which he was concerned. As it
happened, he was the very man wanted in London at the
time. Manufacturers in wool all over the country had
got wind of the soft and beautiful wool that had come
from New South Wales. They sent Memorial after
Memorial to the Office for Trade and Plantations. But
there was one important person who was indisposed to
see any particular merit in this wool : Sir Joseph Banks.
Mr. Fawkener wrote from the Office making him ac-
quainted with the Memorials, and asking his sentiments
on the subject ; for Captain Mac Arthur represented to
the Ministry that he had found " from an experience
of many years that the climate of New South Wales
is peculiarly adapted to the increase of fine-woolled sheep,
and that from the unlimited extent of luxuriant pastures
with which that country abounds, millions of those
valuable animals may be raised in a few years with but
little expense than the hire of a few shepherds." Banks
replied that he had seen some fleeces from New South
Wales, but none equal to the best piles of old Spain. He
had no reason to believe that the climate of Australia was
better calculated for the production of fine wool than that
of the temperate climates. " I am confident that the
natural grass of the country is tall, coarse, and reedy, and
very different from the short and sweet mountain grass
of Europe, upon which sheep thrive to the best ad-
vantage. ... I confess I have my fears that the Captain
has been too sanguine in his wishes to give a favourable
report of the country, and that it will be found on enquiry
that sheep do not prosper with them unless in lands that
have been prepared for their reception with some labour
and expense."

It was a long, and it must be said lazy-minded, letter,

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 221

bearing some signs of failing powers : as though his
now frequent attacks of illness impaired Banks's efforts
to give the utmost attention to matters before him. All
this was nothing to MacArthur. There were four thou-
sand sheep on his farms. He expected them to double
every two and a half years. Ten years of experience
lay behind him. Telling his own story at the Office of
Trade, he convinced the Committee that there was a
great future in store for New South Wales. The statistics
which he offered would show them the possibility of
supplying England with any quantity of the finest wool
that she required. And he was determined, on his return
home, to devote his entire attention to the subject. The
support of persons interested in the matter soon became
highly encouraging. He went home having apparently
converted everybody. The Government made him a new
grant of ten thousand acres. He took back with him five
Spanish merino sheep which he had bought at the King's
sale in 1804, x and a number of plants and fruit trees.
He now became the leading planter and agriculturist
in the Colony, extending his operations constantly, and
adding largely to its prosperity. Hence MacArthur came
to be called the real Founder of New South Wales.

A friendly competitor was the Rev. Samuel Marsden,
chaplain and magistrate. Governor King describes him
to Banks as the best practical farmer in the country.
In 1804 he owned twelve hundred sheep, and held seven-
teen hundred and twenty acres. He wrote a few letters
to Banks with encouraging views of sheep-breeding, and
proposed experimenting with Leicester and Lincoln
sheep, two rams of which he had instructed his agent
to export.

1 The prosperity of the King's farming is well shown by the prices
given by MacArthur : £6 153. od., £11, £16 i6s. od., £23 2s. od., £21,
£28 73. od. The heaviest fleece weighed 7 Ib. 2 oz. ! Banks also gave
some heavy prices at this sale.

222 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Yet these people could not stand Prosperity. So many
petty conflicting interests came into being, that quarrels,
and efforts at supremacy, and even lawlessness, arose,
that the peace was broken over and over again. Captain
MacArthur, for example, defied the laws in a very dis-
creditable way, and caused a deal of trouble in the
Colony.

When Governor Hunter's term of office was ripening,
and the choice of his successor impended, the authorities
at home decided upon sending Captain Bligh. This was
on the warm recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks.
Bligh was disappointed to learn that the Governorship
would be separated from the Naval service in future.
His services during the war were very honourable. He
had quelled several mutinous attempts when on cruise.
" Duncan knew the value of your conduct in action,
though he did not choose to praise it ; and Lord Nelson
not only knows how you conducted your ship when it lay
alongside of his Lordship's at Copenhagen, but will not
omit any opportunity of giving you credit." 1 And he
had hoped to reach the high ranks of the Service. Banks
assured him he would not have advised him to take
a step " which may I fear on a future occasion be inter-
preted by the Admiralty into a dereliction of your chance
of a Flag."

However, Bligh was sent to New South Wales. His
views and those of Hunter coincided, and he tried his best
to fulfil the latter's wishes. As is not uncommon, the
drink question was prominent ; and existing regulations
forbade the distillation of spirits. But MacArthur must
needs import a still from England. For this, and for
using seditious language, he was brought to trial. Bligh,
up to this moment, had been generally popular. But
when he began to insist upon the law being adhered to,
he at once raised up a number of vindictive enemies.

1 Banks to Bligh, September 17, 1805.

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 223

Party spirit was fierce, and Mac Arthur was acquitted.
The Colony was a volcano in active operation. At length,
affairs culminated in the arrest and imprisonment of
Governor Bligh, by Major George Johnston, one of the
disaffected persons who were profiting by the trade in
ardent spirits. Johnston was presently sent home to be
court-martialed, and duly cashiered. This was very
damaging to Governor Bligh, who had only done his
plain duty, and with as much consideration as possible
for offenders. The Government at home were obliged to
recall him, and he returned to England. He was made
a Vice- Admiral in 1814.

Colonel William Paterson remained in command : a
man very popular, who had been Lieutenant-Governor
under King. He was of the New South Wales Corps, and
made a good settler ; and was, besides, an indefatigable
Botanist.

Sir Joseph Banks to Mrs. Bligh.

" April 16, 1809. . . . The Government have not
altered their intention of recalling your husband. Good
often arises out of evil. His conduct, always in my
opinion honourable, just, and equitable, has been more
than once canvassed in his absence, where he has been
unjustly, indecently, and scandalously misused. Un-
fortunate as we are in the unwise decision of His Majesty's
Ministers to recall him, this evil must produce the good
consequence of his being able to answer for himself such
charges as may be brought against him. The result,
you and I cannot doubt, will be favourable ; and will
throw a light on former transactions, not a little impor-
tant to his good fame."

All these things, however, thrust into Banks's hands
because high officials found him an indispensable adviser,
were not the affairs which gave him most concern. He

224 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

was a Botanist before everything, and, while New South
Wales was struggling from the condition of a much-
handicapped settlement into that of a prosperous agricul-
tural Colony, his eye was eagerly and constantly turned
toward the indigenous Flora of the country. This is, in
some respects, one of the most important of Banks's
utilitarian efforts ; for it opened a profoundly important
era in the advance of Botanical Science.

Few things delighted Banks more than finding a new
Botanist. One day in March, 1795, he received a letter
from a distant admirer at Manchester, who wished to
gain employment as botanist. He knew something of
farming, and of horse-keeping, but wished to be more
in touch with the study of Nature. He sent a Drosera,
and one or two other items of his own gathering. It was
the letter of a person in humble life, who was getting
a sort of education through books and observation.
Banks, with unfailing good-nature, promptly replied.

Sir Joseph Banks to George Caley.

(March, 1795.) " SIR, — I do not know there is any
trade by which less money has been got than by that of
Botany. ... If you wish to apply yourself to the study,
the only means I know of raising yourself into notice is
to learn the names of the curious plants cultivated in the
Botanic Gardens. English Botany is well known to many
persons in the country, who practise it as an amusement.
Nothing, therefore, is likely to be got except in the
exotic line ; and in that, unless you are both diligent and
fortunate, you will not succeed. If you have bodily
health and strength, and understand the business of a
gardener's labourer : that is, I believe, the only good
method of getting instruction. We have several foreigners
who every year enter in that capacity in the King's

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 225

gardens, and some of them persons of property. They
receive about ten shillings a week, upon which they can
maintain themselves ; and if they behave they have
great opportunities, not only of studying the culture of
plants but also Exotic Botany.

" If you resolve to take this step, I will undertake to
recommend you to some good garden here ; and if you
continue diligent and make a proper progress I will, from
time to time, give you such assistance as will make your
station less disagreeable than otherwise it would be.

" The Drosera you sent is the real longifolia of Linnaeus,
Hudson, and Withering. . . . The Moss you have sent
appears to me a new one, and the finding it does you
great credit. It is, however, so young that it is impossible
to determine with certainty to what genus it belongs.
I shall be obliged to you if you will gather some more of
it and send it to me by the mail coach in a little parcel
wrapped up in wet moss."

Such was the beginning of an acquaintance which
lasted during Banks 's life. Caley came up to London,
and was presently employed at Kew, at the Brompton
Botanic Garden, and elsewhere. He had his difficulties,
arising mostly from an irregular temper, and an ill-
mannered way of looking at disappointment or misunder-
standing. Banks was very generous in occasional help,
but was forced to speak sharply to him sometimes in reply
to what was downright impertinence. When the New
Holland Exploration scheme was proposed, Caley lost
the opportunity of an appointment, through having re-
cently left Kew in a fit of discontent at his " poor pay and
bad prospects " ; and he was almost offensive with his
veiled reproaches. It is surprising how Banks endured
it all. He wrote (August 27, 1798) : " You seem to have
so good an opinion of the value of your own abilities as
to think that I ought to demand of Government to send
Q

226 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

you out. Suppose I was to agree to this opinion of yours,
and a competent salary was to be allotted to you, pray
tell me what you would propose to do for your employers
in return. . . . Let me know your opinion on this head,
and I shall be better able to judge what my conduct to
you in future ought to be." Other passages in this letter
show that Banks was exercising considerable forbearance
toward him. There was probably no further immediate
communication between them. But, in the ensuing
November, Sir Joseph wrote to tell Caley an unexpected
opportunity had arisen for him. Governor King was
going back in the Porpoise, and offered to take him if he
chose to go. Banks was willing to allow fifteen shillings
a week, and would not exact further terms but to be sup-
plied with specimens of new and curious plants. He
enclosed a five-pound note to come up to London with,
and promised to advance something toward an outfit.
After long delay, Caley reached New South Wales.
He proved a capable botanist, and an indefatigable col-
lector. He soon sent home substantial proofs of his
industry. As time went on he became a prosperous
settler, with a farm and garden on the Paramatta ; and
took some share in public affairs. He warmly supported
Governor Bligh, and tried to sway local opinion in his
favour. According to Caley, Bligh was well-meaning,
but tactless ; unable to control the evil passions certain
to exist in a young colony. His ability was great in every-
thing except to combat open rebellion.

Caley's long letters are full of material for the early
history of the settlement. Many of them are printed by
the Sydney Government in their Historical Records. The
botanical portions are the work of a thorough enthusiast
in the science. Some of his consignments are prodigious,
as in August, 1804 : sixty skins of birds, two of kangaroo,
forty papers of seeds, and two hundred and twelve pages
of description ; in April, 1805, forty-one species of seeds,

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 227

and three hundred and eighteen pages of description.
As early as 1805 he was thinking of returning to England.
Three years later there is a growing discontent with
existence ; partly because Bligh was not interested in
Discovery, and he had no other neighbour to confer with
concerning plants and Natural History ; and partly
through local politics. He lives like a hermit. His neigh-
bours are contemptuous over his occupation. Yet there
is a silver lining : he is grateful that it is "a country
which gives him an opportunity for distinguishing him-
self." Beside this, it is evident that reflection and read-
ing were making a man of him. His pages become en-
livened with curious anecdotes and shrewd observations.
And an occasional adventure in the forest or the desert
reveals the dangers and the difficulties of his pursuit.

After a long interval, a letter came from Sir Joseph.
It was no response to Caley's sad-coloured tales, and his
hundreds of pages. The decline in Banks's health, and
the number of leading-strings he continued to hold, made
it increasingly difficult to do justice to all the interests in
his charge. This letter is from a man beginning to recog-
nize that the burden of life was telling upon him, and he
would gladly relinquish some of his self-imposed responsi-
bilities.

Sir Joseph Banks to George Caley.

" SOHO SQUARE, August 25, 1808.

" I have been a long time prevented from writing to
you by increasing age and infirmities, principally by
having the gout upon me with severity at the times when
opportunity of letters offered.

' You have in general been an active, a diligent, and
a useful assistant to me in your present situation ; and
I have found you on many occasions to possess a strong
understanding. I cannot, however, agree with you in the
propriety of your having refused to deliver up the plants

228 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

entrusted to your care by Mr. Brown, when Governor
King came home ... his return was a good opportunity,
for many of the plants he brought home came safe and in
good condition. . . .

" I have grown of late years very infirm ; my eyes
fail me very much ; and I have not, of course, the pleasure
I used to have in the pursuits of Natural History. I have
not, therefore, any longer occasion for your services in
the extensive manner in which you have employed your-
self of collecting great quantities of articles. You de-
serve, however, some reward from me for your diligence
and activity.

" You have, I understand, the lease of a farm from
Governor King. If you wish to employ yourself in the
cultivation of it, or if you wish to return home, I am
willing to settle £50 a year upon you for your life, and
to release you from all services to me beyond what you
voluntarily wish to perform. You would probably
choose, if anything new should fall in your way, to send
it to me. But as I mean your annuity as a recompense
for past services, I shall not bind you to any future ones
till I hear from you on this subject ; and, till the whole
can be arranged and settled, everything to go on as it has
hitherto done.

" Mr. Brown and Mr. Bauer are well. They are busily
employed in arranging and making drawings of the im-
mense collections they have brought home. . . . Your
specimens and descriptions are carefully preserved for
you."

Caley came back to England in 1811. Three years
later he went out as superintendent of the garden at
St. Vincent's. He was not a social success, and did not
get on with his neighbours. Finding that seeds, etc.,
were stolen from the garden by Sunday visitors, he with-
drew permission for the public to enter on that day.

THE FOUNDING OF AUSTRALIA 229

This was justifiable under the circumstances, but inex-
pedient ; and an occurrence of this kind naturally added
to the local prejudice against him. Caley was a good
Collector. Numerous plants and seeds were sent to Kew.
He stayed at St. Vincent's till 1819, when he came home ;
and spent much of his retirement in Kew Gardens.

Another botanist who went out to New South Wales
at Sir Joseph Banks's instance was George Suttor. He
appears to have gone purely as a settler in the country ;
taking with him a variety of fruit trees, and promising
to send home to Banks what new plants he could find.
He sailed in the Porpoise, in November, 1798. He turned
out a very able colonist, cultivated the vine, and was
doubtless the originator of the wine produce of Australia.
He visited England in 1842, became a F.L.S., and pub-
lished a paper on the Culture of the Vine and the Orange
in Australia. He died on his estate at Bathurst, in 1859.

Suttor wrote a short life of Sir Joseph Banks,1 marked
by the warmest sentiments of regard and esteem.

1 London, 1855.

CHAPTER XIV
CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN

A ING the sailor-adventurers of this period,
few men deserve more honour than Matthew
Flinders. Born about 1760, he served some
time in the mercantile marine before enter-
ing His Majesty's Navy. In 1795 he was on board a ship
carrying out a Governor to Botany Bay. George Bass,
the surgeon, found a congenial mind in Flinders. Each
wanted to explore something ; and after their arrival
in New Holland, they made important surveys and dis-
coveries in company. They were presently sent out
on a trip southwards, in order to settle the question
whether Van Diemen's Land was an island or no. They
found open water, which was forthwith called Bass's
Straits. They were afterward engaged on the still more
important task of defining and perfecting Cook's re-
searches on the east coast of New Holland. Then Flinders
came home, and was deservedly promoted. Bass pre-
sently went to sea again, in another direction.1

In 1800, the Investigator, 334 tons, was ordered out for
a scientific voyage to New Holland, under the command
of Flinders. An astronomer, a botanist, two draughtsmen,
a gardener, and a miner were chosen to go with this
Expedition. William Westall, afterward a famous
landscape painter, was the draughtsman. Ferdinand
Bauer, the botanic draughtsman ; Peter Good, the

1 According to Jorgensen, Bass was entrapped ashore in Chili, and
ended as a captive in the silver mines.

230

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 231

gardener, had been in charge of plants between England
and India ; John Allen, the miner, appears to have come
from Derbyshire, where Banks had some mining in-
terests ; John Crosley was the astronomer. The naturalist
was Robert Brown, who had been fortunately brought
to Sir Joseph's notice by his friend Correa de Serra,1 in
the following message to him while away from London :

" SOHO SQUARE, October 17, 1798.

"... Mr. Brown, a very good naturalist, who fre-
quents your library, where I have made acquaintance with
him, hearing that Mungo Park does not intend to go to
New Holland, offers to go in his place. Science is the
gainer in the change of man, Mr. Brown being a professed
naturalist. He is a Scotchman, fitted to pursue an object
with constancy and a cold mind. His present situation
is of Ensign and Assistant Surgeon in the Fifeshire
Fencibles, previous to which employment he received
a regular literary education at Edinburgh. It is by his
own desire that I take the liberty of making you ac-
quainted with his wishes ; his modesty debarring him
from writing to you himself. ..."

On making acquaintance with Brown, Banks found a
true disciple. The current of the young man's life was
eventually turned to the single pursuit of Science ; and a
close friendship existed between them as long as Banks
lived.

In December, 1800, Ensign Brown was offered the post
of naturalist on board the Investigator, at a salary of
£400. Sir Joseph writes : "If you choose to accept the

1 Josef Correa de Serra was a Portuguese exile in London, whose
tastes were so entirely those of Banks that an intimate friendship
arose between them. An interesting account of an examination of the
Lincolnshire coast made by them in company, in 1796, was included ia
the Philosophical Transactions.

232 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

appointment I will certainly recommend you. ... I will
not mention any other person till I have heard from you ;
and hope that you will be the messenger of your answer."
He obtained leave of absence, and gladly accepted the
new commission. Captain Flinders sailed from Spithead
on July 18, 1801. The ship called at Madeira, and reached
the Cape of Good Hope in October. From this place
Flinders wrote that Mr. Crosley's health was breaking
and he had decided to quit the Expedition and return to
England. Captain Flinders replies, in advance, to the
question whether another astronomer should be sent to
him, by promising that he and his brother (a Lieutenant)
could perform the whole business of the Observatory ;
and the latter would leave it to the Board of Longitude
to decide as to his remuneration.

The next letters from the Investigator are dated from
Port Jackson, in May, 1802. The naturalists were
already active. Mr. Brown sent home some seeds, and
reported that seven hundred and fifty new plants had been
observed. Mr. Bauer had made many drawings of plants
and of animals, and was indefatigable in studying the
fructification of plants. Mr. Good was a " most valuable
assistant." Brown mentions the want of a garden on
board ship, and it would most likely be prepared. Beside
this long letter to Sir Joseph, he also writes to Dr.
Dryander, and to that ardent horticulturist, Mr. Charles
Greville.

A letter from Peter Good, dated July 20, 1802, states
that the ship is in harbour in Port Jackson. Good tells
of his excursions, sometimes with Mr. Brown and party,
and sometimes by himself. He has added above five
hundred species of seeds to the former collections. He
has taken lodgings on shore for the convenience of dry-
ing specimens, and has spared no labour nor expense in
the performance of his duties. " We sail from here to-
morrow on a long cruise with the Lady Nelson in company.

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 233

The garden has been put on board some days ago. . . .
The two French ships on discovery are now in the harbour.
The Geographe, which we met with on the south coast,
came in here a few weeks ago in distress ; almost the
whole crew sick, and in great want of provisions and
water. ..."

The appearance in these seas of the Geographe should
here be accounted for. Flinders's fate was ultimately
affected by the circumstance that a French voyage of
discovery was in hand, under the command of Captain
Baudin. Flinders had met the French ship in Bass's
Straits. There was friendly communication between the
two parties ; but reasons existed for suspecting that the
French meant, if possible, to forestall the Englishmen
in the possession of some part of New Holland. In later
years this proved to be the case. Baudin 's Decouvertes,
as published after his return home, included hundreds
of leagues of coast-line, already named by Flinders and
Bass, now appearing with French titles.

The Investigator now proceeded on a cruise, and sur-
veyed the great and terrible Barrier Reef, and the Gulf
of Carpentaria. Then they stayed at Timor. From this
island dispatches were sent homeward, the purport of
which included the rotten condition of the ship, and
slackness in the Natural History department. Peter
Good suffered from dysentery on the return voyage,
and died two days after reaching Botany Bay. This
was a serious loss to the Expedition. Mr. Brown testifies
to the value of his indefatigable exertions in his depart-
ment. The garden on board ship now contained up-
wards of a hundred growing plants, and these must needs
suffer from the loss of Good's care and zeal. Moreover,
it had to be transferred to the Porpoise, the vessel secured
by Flinders for the homeward voyage.

Scientific observations were now resumed at Port
Jackson. Beside the Botany and Zoology, a record was

234 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

taken in Astronomy and Meteorology. A small observa-
tory was set up, which was mostly in the charge of
John Franklin, a young midshipman who was already
distinguishing himself in nautical and surveying work.
Franklin was usually selected for a companion when
Captain Flinders made excursions of any sort for scientific
purposes.

These were the days of Governor King at Port Jackson,
a man who was of great assistance to the party in many
ways. And they soon had need of one who would help
them, and could do so. It was at length determined that
Captain Flinders should go home in the store-ship
Porpoise, while Mr. Brown and Mr. Bauer remained in
the country in order to proceed with their Natural
History studies. The Governor undertook to make them
comfortable, provide them with a house and one or two
convict servants, and a Government passage to England
in due time.

About this date arrived a letter from Sir Joseph, in a
tone which must have given some cheer to the little
party.

Sir Joseph Banks to Robert Brown.

" SOHO SQUARE, April 8, 1803.

" It gave me sincere pleasure to learn by yours from
Port Jackson that you was in health, and had been so
fortunate in the first part of the interesting business
to which you have so handsomely volunteered yourself.

" Your commander deserves, in my opinion, great credit
for the pains he must have taken to give you a variety of
opportunities of landing and botanizing. Had Cook
paid the same attention to the Naturalists, we should have
done more at that time. However, the bias of the public
mind had not so decidedly marked Natural History for a
favourite pursuit as it now has. Cook might have met
with reproof for sacrificing a day's fair wind to the

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 235

accommodation of the Naturalists. Captain Flinders will
meet with thanks and praise, for every sacrifice he makes
to the improvement of natural knowledge which is com-
patible with the execution of his orders.

" The seeds you sent by the ship that brought your
letters came safe and in good order. They are all sown
in Kew Gardens, and much hope is built on their success,
which will create a new epoch in the prosperity of that
magnificent establishment by the introduction of so large
a number of new plants. . . .

" I very much approve of your employing yourself
when in harbour, rather in making descriptions and
enlarging your observations than in attempting to make
copies or to prepare anything to be sent home. Without
you the specimens or descriptions you might dispatch
would lose much of their value. ..."

Captain Flinders sailed homeward in the Porpoise in
company with the Bridgewater and the Cato, two small
trading vessels. They took the eastern side of New
Holland. All went well for a few days, and then disaster
fell upon them. The Porpoise and the Cato struck upon a
coral reef, and speedily went to pieces. The precious
garden was lost. Most of the ships' company were left
under temporary shelter upon a sand-bank, while Captain
Flinders returned to Port Jackson in the Porpoise's
cutter. Westall, and Allen the miner, were also bound
for home, and were among the stranded sailors on the
reef.1 During his absence of about six weeks, the ship-
wrecked party sowed the seeds of maize, oats, pumpkins,
etc. The young plants were coming up when the schooner
Cumberland hove in sight, with Flinders on board. In
company with this vessel was a trader bound to China.
Westall and young Franklin elected to go home via

1 Among Westall's fine illustrations to Flinders's published story,
there is a good picture of this scene.

236 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Canton. Some others returned to Port Jackson, and the
most of his own crew resolved to share Flinders 's fortunes
in the schooner. The vessel was hardly fit for a long
voyage. But Flinders was determined to get home to
England, report himself and his adventures, and come
back to New Holland with better equipment, and resume
his surveys. The Cumberland sailed round the north of
Australia, touched at Timor, and then headed for Mauri-
tius, at that time in the possession of the French. She
anchored at Port Louis on December 17, 1803.

Flinders was in possession of a " pass," in the interests
of Science, by which he was understood to be secure from
any hostility on the part of French vessels of war. Baudin
was provided with a protection as against the armed ships
of England. A similar civility was exercised on other
occasions, and the terms of a pass were usually respected.
But Captain Flinders, reaching Mauritius in an unsea-
worthy ship, with no thought of missing the friendly rites
of hospitality, was seized on pretence of his being a spy.
His ship was confiscated, together with his papers and all
the fruits of his surveying toil. Whether he was detained
as a suspected person, or as a naval officer in arms against
France, was never made clear. De Caen, the Governor,
is represented as an illiterate person, and might be
acting only in the manner of a Jack-in-office, a character
not unfamiliar to us in the story of French colonization.
Yet, the fact of Baudin 's story being published with his
claims of wide discovery, his Terre Napoleon, etc., in the
end satisfied most people that De Caen was alive to the
opportunity of seizing any possible occasion for hamper-
ing English exploration.1

Captain Flinders was treated with some severity at

1 This notion is supported by the fact that copies of Flinders's chart
of Van Diemen's Land were struck off for Baudin's use (Philos. Mag.,
XVI, 265) ; and by Flinders's remark that he saw the Cumberland used
at Port Louis, and her stores consumed. A statement that the ship was
afterwards in service under Baudin we have not been able to verify.

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 237

first, until upon medical advice he was given a lodging in
the town under close supervision. Application was made
in vain for permission to use his journals and charts.
Even a " spy-glass " was regarded as a legitimate forfeit
to his captors. Matters were a little improved by the
captain being confined in the Garden Prison, where other
English officers were under detention, and who, by the
way, had also lost their spy-glasses. The first news of all
this reached London in August, 1804.

Captain Flinders suffered a good deal from depression of
mind. But he kept active, and spent much time in
noting the productions of the island and storing up
material for his book of travel. Then his health im-
proved. It was even a matter of discussion with his
French friends (of whom he had many) as to whether he
should not reconcile himself to his fate and settle in the
island. However, he would have none of this. He was
determined on restitution. He wanted promotion in the
British navy, and he would return to the wife he had
married a few weeks before leaving England. Thus year
after year rolled on. In July, 1809, Sir Joseph Banks
had a letter from Flinders (dated September, 1807)
stating that he had got back his books and papers. An
order had come to set him at liberty. This was after
numberless applications, remonstrances, promises, delays,
during which he had seen ship after ship arrive and depart,
ever awakening hopes that could not be realized.
Flinders 's difficulty now was, mainly, that he kept up a
high tone as a British officer ; and this De Caen affected
to disbelieve. Even after repeated orders to release his
prisoner the Governor persisted in regarding them as
open to his discretion. Doubtless personal pique on
both sides delayed relief.

It was not until June, 1810, that Captain Flinders
found himself on board the Otter, Captain Tomkinson,
bound for the Cape. He reached Spithead on October 23.

238 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

He was very well received at the Admiralty. Croker,
and Barrow, and Yorke showed a disposition to appreciate
his misfortunes, and to consider that he had creditably
added to the annals of the British sailor. Banks was
very cordial to " his countryman," as he called him —
for Flinders came from Lincolnshire. He died in 1814,
his impaired constitution lasting only long enough
to permit him to finish writing the story of his Voyage to
Terra Amtralis.

Several years elapsed before the botanists heard any-
thing of their unlucky leader.

Meanwhile, affairs at Port Jackson went on with
tranquillity, tempered by zeal in the study of Natural
History. George Caley joined the party, as suggested
by Sir Joseph Banks. The loss of the previous collections
was made good, and an immense number of plants, etc.,
were made ready for dispatch to England. Governor
King visited their garden whenever the botanists were
absent collecting, and entered heartily into all their plans
for safely transporting them across the ocean. As far as
plants and seeds were concerned, most of the work had
to be done anew, on account of the loss of the Porpoise.

Nearly two years elapsed before the decision was
made to go home. After much difficulty in finding a
suitable ship, it was determined to utilize the old In-
vestigator. Governor King found that though her upper
works were practically rotten, the hull was tight and sea-
worthy. And Brown and Bauer might go with their
collections safely and successfully. The remaining garden
was left in Caley's hands, who proposed to take to
England his collections by a later opportunity.

Mr. King was careful to provide a safe conduct for the
ship as far as he could, in a letter to the " Prefect or
Officer, civil or military, commanding in any port belong-
ing to the French Republic where H.B.M.'s ship the
Investigator may eventually be carried," with a view of

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 239

saving at least the scientific collections. She sailed in
May, 1805, and met with no trouble beyond the inevitable
tedium of five months unrestingly spent upon the sea.
Mr. Brown wrote from Liverpool, October 13, a long letter
to Sir Joseph Banks, announcing his arrival.

The collections on board had been cared for, and the
Captain took a share in the efforts to preserve them.
But they were beginning to suffer from the wet state of
the ship. Brown was indisposed to let them remain
for the voyage round to London, and sent them all up
to London by road. We have particulars of the enormous
cost of this operation. Cartage amounted to £53. Un-
loading and reloading at the London Custom House,
insurance, fees, etc., brought the bill up to £87 8s.

Sir Joseph was not able to take a personal share in the
botanist's affairs and his triumphant return. Just at
this moment he was laid up with a bad attack of gout,
which, spite of abstemious habits, now seized upon him
with greater frequency than ever.

Sir Joseph Banks to William Marsden.

" SOHO SQUARE, January, 1806.

"... After tedious delay, the unavoidable consequence
of a severe fit of illness which has given me much mortifi-
cation, I am at last able to fulfil my promise of giving you
some account of the nature of the collections made by
Messrs. Brown and Bauer, in the course of the voyage of
discovery from which they have lately returned, and of
suggesting such measures for the consideration of their
Lordships as are most likely to secure to the public the
fruits of the labours of these very active and industrious
men. . . .

" An exact account of Mr. Brown's collections cannot
be given till the examination and comparison with books,
which employs his time at present, has been finished.

240 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

In the meantime, they consist, as far as he is able to
judge, of the following particulars.

" Specimens of plants —

From the S. coast of New Holland . 700 species
From the E. ,, ,, . 500

From the N. ,, „ . 500

From Port Jackson and neighbourhood 1000
From Van Diemen's Land . . . 700 ,,
From Timor 200

Total plants . . „ : . 3600 species

Dried skins of birds . ,; , f\ about 150
Insects . . . . . > ... . one case
Minerals . . Y; ^ ^ three boxes

f< The arrangement of these Birds, Insects, and Minerals
he wishes to transfer to persons more conversant in these
branches of Natural History than he considers himself to
be. The plants ... he wishes himself to arrange and
describe if their Lordships shall be pleased to employ him
in that duty.

" Mr. Ferdinand Bauer and his brother, who have
the honour to be Botanical painters to His Majesty, at
Kew, are nearly equal in ability. They are allowed
to be the most skilful painters of Natural History in the
kingdom, and in my poor opinion are not equal'd in
Europe. Mr. Ferdinand Bauer was induced to undertake
the voyage by the generous encouragement held out by
their Lordships when the voyage was first planned.
As a sample of his skill I have the honour to send with
this a drawing made by him of a very curious and inter-
esting plant. . . . The quantity of sketches he has made
during the voyage, and prepared in such a manner by
references to a table of colours as to enable him to finish

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 241

items at his leisure with perfect accuracy, is beyond
what I thought it possible to perform. . . .

" Sketches of plants made on the coasts of

New Holland and New South Wales . . 1541

Sketches of plants made on Norfolk Island . 80

Sketches of plants made at Timor . . 60

,, ,, Cape of Good Hope 89

Sketches of animals on Norfolk Island . . 40

,, „ in New Holland . . 263

Total . V . . . 2064

"... I beg leave humbly to suggest to their Lordships
that the salaries of Mr. Brown and Mr. Bauer be continued
to these gentlemen for such time as their Lordships shall
think proper. ... I will undertake to direct the progress
of these gentlemen, to quicken them if they are dilatory,
to assist them when it is in my power, and to report to
their Lordships the progress made by each in his respec-
tive department once a year at least, or oftener if re-
quired to do so. ..."

Sir Joseph further suggested that orders be given for
all their treasures to be deposited in the British Museum,
and finally arranged there by competent officers. Also
that Messrs. Brown and Bauer should be recommended
to join together in publishing engravings and descriptions
of their most interesting objects in Natural History, in a
handsome form, with a view to their own profit.

Mr. Marsden, on behalf of the Board of Admiralty,
wrote in reply, conceding all Banks's suggestions, and
promising to bear the expense of carrying the collection
from Liverpool to London. It would appear that some
of Banks's enthusiasm had reached their Lordships. It
certainly was a magnificent gift to the Nation. They
could not fail to see the accumulating grandeur of Sir
Joseph's plans. Again and again he had generously

242 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

considered the public good, and devoted his resources
toward defraying the cost.

Banks now invited the Lords of the Admiralty to
regard his projects with some consideration ; and pro-
fessed himself quite willing to modify the terms of his
proposed gift in any way which might be expedient in the
case of their having views which differed from his own.
He supposed that the operation of arranging the plants
in systematic order would occupy at least three years,
and that a great number of the paintings would be
finished in that time. The whole Collection was at present
housed in Soho Square.

And now began the task, the full performance of which
carried Robert Brown to the highest distinction as a
botanist. He was occupied for four months in a first
arrangement of his plants according to the received
methods of the time. With the assistance of Banks
and Dryander, a process of selection was undertaken
with a view to preparing specimens suitable for the
Museum. Several years of assiduous labour passed in a
more thorough examination, from which Brown emerged
the founder of a better classification than had yet proved
finally acceptable. He recognized the value of Antoine
Jussieu, and loyally followed his steps. He saw, further,
the import of Goethe's suggestions that the Leaf is the
common type of all the varying organs of the Plant. The
adoption of new views was confirmed in the pains he took
with his immense mass of material.

The first published fruit of Robert Brown's labours
was Prodromus Florce Novce Hollandia et Insulce Van
Diemen (London, 1810). This work was received with
acclamation by all the botanists of Europe. Congratula-
tions poured in from France, Sweden, Germany, Italy.
Alexander von Humboldt hailed him as Botanicomm
facile princeps ; and that title adheres to his name to our
own days. He deserved his fame, for Brown was the

H. W. Picker sgill, R.A . \ ^ , ^ ,

ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S.
From a picture in the possession of the Linnean Society

CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 243

true man of genius, in whom imaginative power is wedded
to alert habits of observation. Lonely plant-hunting
in the wilds ; accumulating an enormous number of
examples ; following with a careful arrangement accord-
ing to existing authorities : these things might be under-
taken by many an ordinary mortal, gifted with the
necessary habits of intelligence and industry. Genius
once more went in advance of the ordinary mortal. And
Genius, as is its wont sometimes, woke up to find itself
famous.

Brown became librarian to Sir Joseph Banks, after
the death of Dryander in 1810. Henceforth he is an
inmate of the house in Soho Square, and his public life is
largely mingled with the remaining career of Sir Joseph.
They were close friends until the end. Brown had a
remarkably gentle and lovable disposition, and was
blessed with troops of friends, who adhered to him
through a long and useful life. This ended as late as
1858, so that there are veterans still living who were
among his associates.

Banks's library and collections were transferred to the
British Museum in 1827, Mr. Brown being appointed
keeper.

i

CHAPTER XV
ICELANDIC AFFAIRS

French revolutionary war was answerable
for many unexpected side issues. Not a
small one was the idea of annexing Iceland
and the Faroes to the British Crown. And
it would have been done but for the normal restraint of
English statesmen. For once, Sir Joseph Banks was
a politician, and one with the makings of a statesman.
He saw his beloved Iceland a victim to helpless mis-
management ; its inhabitants poor, spiritless, and
lethargic ; and the island almost entirely out of touch
with European civilization. During the second half of the
eighteenth century there was probably no more miserable
people on the face of the globe than the Icelanders. Life
had little or no promise for them. Gaieties were to be
found among the Esquimaux and the Laplanders, as with
Otaheitans and Maoris, but not in Iceland. Banks's own
recollections, of 1772, were that " no Icelander was seen
to laugh ; not that he had any particular inclination for
gravity, but because nothing in the detail of his mode
of living seemed ever to excite him to gaiety, much less
to merriment or laughter."

The cause of this apathy, upon the unvarying testi-
mony of observers, is found in the loss of their ancient
spirit through Danish domination. The energies which
trade and intercommunication with other countries
might have aroused were thwarted by the laws of Den-
mark, which treated its colony as purely a dependency,

244

ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 245

and forbade the inhabitants to negotiate for their wants
with any other than the monopolists at Copenhagen.
Until 1788 a concession, at the cost of £8000 per annum,
was in the hands of Copenhagen merchants ; who took
annual supplies to the island in exchange for fish, tallow,
skins, feathers, eider-down, etc. " The oppression of
this Company in fixing their own prices, upon all they
bought and on all they had to sell, was beyond what
had ever before been felt ; and reduced the people to the
inaction and torpid state at which we found them "
(Mem. by Banks). The Company becoming insolvent,
trade was opened to the subjects of Denmark generally,
as in old times. In the last decade of the century some
spirit of enterprise was reviving with the Icelanders.
They were becoming once more industrious and adven-
turous. And it appeared to those interested in the little
nation that, if liberty were quite restored to them,
the Icelanders would recover the active and intelligent
character of their ancestors.

When Banks was in Iceland in 1772, he found the
people " universally desirous of being placed under the
dominion of England. The applications made to me
personally by natives of the best quality were continual.
Their project was that England should wrest from Den-
mark the dominion of Iceland. . . . They concluded that
the wealth of England could easily buy, and the poverty
of Denmark would willingly sell."

Olaf Stephensen of Reikiavik was one of the natives
above alluded to. His son Magnus, afterward Chief
Justice of the island, was a boy of ten years in 1772;
and there was doubtless occasional communication with
Banks. On January 30, 1801, Sir Joseph wrote to
Magnus what appears to modern eyes a very startling
message. Whether it was prompted from the other side,
or begun in the dark recesses of the English Foreign
Office, is not clear. The purport of it was this :

246 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Denmark has forfeited the friendship of England, who
must now take action in detaching such of her posses-
sions as she thinks proper. Iceland is a part of the archi-
pelago known by the ancients as Britannia, and geo-
graphically should be a part of the British Empire. It
is in the power of the Icelanders to simplify matters by
a revolutionary blow, and unanimously hand themselves
over to England ; thus avoiding the disagreeable results
attending conquest.1

The above (draft) letter is accompanied by a Memoran-
dum, evidently drawn up for the consideration of the
King's ministers, by request or otherwise :

Sir Joseph relates his former acquaintance with the
people of Iceland, and gives an outline of their com-
mercial history. The people (he says) are ill-supplied
with the'necessaries of life, and would rejoice in a change
of masters that promised them any portion of liberty.
" The bettermost people shewed a predilection for Eng-
land, and privately solicited the writer to propose to his
Government to purchase the island from Denmark."
They suggested he should buy a farm, as an inducement
to promote the business. The conquest of Iceland would
be a wise measure, and subject Denmark to the humilia-
tion she deserves without diminishing her national re-
sources. It would " emancipate the people from an
Egyptian bondage." The population would increase
under a mild government. There would be no revenue
for the present. The people would have to be supplied
with vegetable food. The fisheries, the new market for
British productions, and the supply of seamen for the
British Navy, would be the principal advantages accruing
to this country.

Affairs with Denmark were at a more acute stage in
the autumn of 1807. The carrying trade was at the

1 Banks MSS., Kew.

ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 247

mercy of the stronger party, and Danish ships fell into the
hands of English prize-courts.

One day, in October, Sir Joseph Banks had a doleful
letter from Magnus Stephensen, relating his capture on
the way to Copenhagen when on board an Iceland trader ;
ignorant of the new misunderstanding between England
and Denmark. After being conveyed prisoner of war to
Leith, he was presently allowed to go back to Copenhagen
in a British warship. But the owner of the prize, together
with his wife and family and servants, remained utterly
destitute. This was followed by a letter from Dr. William
Wright, of Edinburgh, an old friend of Banks, who im-
plored his help. The Edinburgh folk had opened a sub-
scription for the Icelanders. Further, there was a ship
detained at Cork, and another at Yarmouth. Later on,
a vessel was driven into Stornoway by contrary winds and
detained. All these unlucky mariners were writing and
interviewing Sir Joseph Banks during the winter. Al-
though suffering badly from gout, he not only devoted
himself to their relief, but liberally helped them from his
purse.

Lord Hawkesbury to Sir Joseph Banks.

" November 29, 1807.

" MY DEAR SIR, — I return you Mr. Stephensen 's letter.
I have communicated it to the King's servants, and they
are of opinion that you should have some further com-
munication with him ; with a view of ascertaining
whether through him or any other channel, the island
of Iceland could be secured to His Majesty, at least
during the continuance of the present war. In that case
the Fisheries and the Trade of Iceland would be pro-
tected ; and I should hope that we might be able to ob-
tain the services of some of their mariners. There will
be no objection, as a measure of conciliation, to releasing
the few Icelanders' ships which are at Leith."

248 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Many weeks elapsed before anything practical was
done. The legal Mind and the official Back vied with
each other in obstruction, while most of the poor culprits
were in London nearly destitute. At length, Sir Joseph
was urgent, after receipt of a lawyer's letter of a some-
what officious character, to have the affair settled. He
was still disposed to drastic measures : "I conclude it
will be judged necessary to annex the island of Iceland
to the British Crown without the least delay," he says
to Lord Castlereagh ; at any rate, it would be a wise
policy to separate entirely the Danish and Norwegian
vessels from those of Iceland. (On this basis, a proclama-
tion was issued two years later, ordering that the islands
of Faroe and Iceland and the settlements on the coast
of Greenland, and the inhabitants thereof, be exempt
from hostile attack on the part of His Majesty's forces
and subjects. Ships were bound to make a port of call
at Leith or London in order to evade capture.)

On February 26 Government decided to restore the
Icelandic prizes already in hand ; but this was not accom-
plished until about April 7. English traders were allowed
to trade by " license " with Icelandic ports.

These things made a profound impression on the
people of Iceland ; and the proceedings of Sir Joseph
Banks in connection with them aroused their eternal
gratitude. Beside this, their national life was stimulated.
They never relapsed into their former apathy. They
began to take more interest in their relations with the
outer world. A modern Icelandic literature came into
existence, and in the course of another generation they
succeeded in asserting some degree of political indepen-
dence.

In the summer of 1809, Mr. William Jackson Hooker
made a botanical tour in Iceland. He took with him
a kindly message from Banks to the aged Olaf Stephen-

ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 249

sen, together with a present of books and prints. Stephen-
sen asked " a hundred questions about him in the most
affectionate manner." Then he related anecdotes of
what passed during Banks's stay in the island thirty-
seven years ago, in a way " which at once convinced us
of the excellence of his memory, and of his gratitude and
high esteem for the benefactor of Iceland." Hooker was
told how most of the islanders imprisoned during the war
had been supplied with money until they could return
to their own country. Wherever he went on his travels,
the fact of Hooker visiting Iceland under an introduction
by Sir Joseph Banks opened the hearts of all, and made
his progress one of overwhelming hospitality. They
could not show enough pleasure and alacrity in paying
attention to him. And, " if at any time we flagged in
drinking, ' Baron Banks ' was always the signal for
emptying our glasses." The more learned classes in
Iceland were strongly affected by the memory of 1772 ;
and several poetical addresses were printed in honour of
the visitors.

Mr. Hooker's sole piece of bad luck was very bad.
He lost all his botanical treasures by fire on his way
home.

Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. W. J. Hooker.

" REVESBY ABBEY, October i, 1809.

" MY DEAR SIR, — I condole with you sincerely on the
failure of an expedition, from which, however, you must
derive honour in the opinion of those who know you,
and no inconsiderable accession to their good opinion
of your talents and your resources. The decision with
which you entered into the undertaking, the promptitude
with which you carried your preparation into execution,
and the alacrity with which you encountered the hazard
of a voyage, are deeply impressed upon my mind, and
have decided me to attempt to gain your friendship which

250 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

in future I shall omit no opportunity to cultivate. I con-
dole with you for the losses you have sustained, but
much more seriously with your friends, who must lose
the participation you had prepared for them in scenes
of natural wonder and delight. . . .

" Some one must go next year to Iceland. ... I
had once a proposal for a cargo of Scotsmen with Sir
George Mackenzie, of Coul, at the head ; but I advised
them to wait for another season.

" Recommend me to my friend Dawson Turner when
you see him. ..."

Sir George Stewart Mackenzie, F.R.S., paid a visit to
Iceland in the following year. His mission was minera-
logical, but he contrived to gather a few plants to replace
Hooker's losses. He published a capital account of his
voyage, painstaking in every way ; one of those books
which can never get out of date. Sir George called upon
Olaf Stephensen, at his retirement in the isle Vidoe, near
Reikiavik. He describes his visit, and hospitable recep-
tion, and the costumes and the ways of the household,
with much vivacity and picturesqueness. Writing to
Banks (May 20, 1810) he says of Olaf that he is in very
good health for a man of his age. " He speaks of you
with rapture and remembers you with affection. He is
a delightful old man, and has been uncommonly polite
to me." Magnus Stephensen was not less zealous than his
father in welcoming the visitor. " We found every one
emulous in offering his services ; and I shall ever re-
member with gratitude the kind attention and hospitality
I experienced during my stay in Iceland, both from the
natives and from the Danes."

Sir George Mackenzie did not relax his interest in
Iceland. We find him, in 1815, writing to Banks con-
cerning Rask's efforts to keep alive the study of the
ancient language ; and about, which in his eyes was of

ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 251

higher importance, raising the standard of intelligence
and of enterprise.

The affairs of Iceland were not easily lost to the atten-
tion of Sir Joseph Banks. An entirely new sensation
arose at the period of Hooker's visit.

There was one Jorgen Jorgensen, an Anglo-Dane, who
had served as able seaman under Flinders (1802-5), and,
according to all report, a first-rate able seaman, in the
tender-ship Lady Nelson. He saw a good deal of life and
adventure in New Holland and the adjacent seas ; and
doubtless the fame of Banks was familiar to his mind,
seeing the associates that he had. He brought to Eng-
land, in 1806, two New Zealanders and two Otaheitans,
and introduced them to Sir Joseph, who " cheerfully
took charge of them, defrayed all their expenses, and
placed them under the care and tuition of the Rev.
Joseph Hardcastle."

Jorgensen presently returned to Copenhagen. We
find him, in the following year, captain of a Danish
privateer, prize to H.M.S. Sappho, after a sturdy fight.
Coming to London as a prisoner under parole, he lost
no time in paying his respects to Sir Joseph Banks.
At that time, Banks was concerned in the providing food
and stores to the Icelanders. There was a Mr. Phelps,
a London merchant, who undertook this trade ; and in
December, 1808, he made a successful venture, with
Jorgensen in command. The island was simply neglected
by the Danes, and our visitors had a " most grateful
welcome from the starving inhabitants." A second
voyage was undertaken early in 1809. Mr. Phelps himself
was on board (perhaps as captain), with Jorgensen for
supercargo. The ship also carried Mr. W. J. Hooker,
who had been induced by Banks to make the botanical
tour in the island, already mentioned.

The Margaret and Anne, bearing letters of marque,
and carrying a shipload of provisions and dry goods,

252 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

reached Reikiavik on June 21. The people were over-
joyed, but the Danish authorities met our adventurer
with a stern refusal of any trading privileges. Whereupon
Jorgensen seized the powers of Government, issued a
proclamation to the natives and led a small Revolution.
All this with the cheerful acquiescence of the natives,
who supported his pretensions ; and without a drop of
blood being shed. Count Trampe, the Danish Governor,
was arrested and taken on board the ship.

" All the measures I adopted in my new character of
Monarch of Iceland" (Jorgensen says) "partook of the
character of popular reform. I established trial by jury,
and free representative government. I relieved the people
of one-half of the taxes, making good the deficiency of
revenue by levying a small duty on the import and export
of British goods, to which I had thrown open the port.
I augmented the salaries of the clergy, from the bishop
down to the humblest curate. ... I advanced money for
the benefit of the public schools and the fisheries. ... I
released the people from all debts due to the Crown of
Denmark. ... I erected a fort for six guns, and hoisted
the ancient and independent flag of Iceland."

A few weeks sufficed to end his affairs. H.M.S. T allot
arrived, and put an end to what was a benevolent and
well-meant, but utterly illegal scheme. Count Trampe
was released. Jorgensen was made a prisoner. And the
whole merry party (for they appear to have been friendly
all round) prepared for departure toward London. The
Margaret and Anne left Reikiavik on August 25, with
Mr. Hooker and his botanical collections on board. Two
days afterward this vessel was found to be on fire ; and
as she was laden with oil and tallow, there was little
chance for anybody to escape with life. But the Orion,
prize, with the unfortunate ex-captain on board, caught
up the blazing vessel just in the nick of time. Jorgensen
once more took the lead. By his activity and intrepidity

ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 253

all the people on board were rescued. They were even-
tually brought home in the Talbot.

Jorgensen hastened up from Liverpool to London
and called upon Sir Joseph at once. But he found the
captain of the Talbot had forestalled him, with his own
version of the affair, and his own ideas of the Dane's
qualifications for personal government. Three weeks
later, Jorgensen was arrested, charged with having
broken his parole, and sent to Tothill Fields prison. He
spent a year on one of the hulks in Chatham harbour.1

Banks appears to have befriended the Danish adven-
turer as far as he could. And he was not clear in his own
mind about the character he had to deal with. Jorgensen
was brave and rather reckless, but well-meaning. He
learned gambling on board the prison-hulks, and this
weakness pursued him for many years. He was ruined
over and over again by getting into the company of
gamblers. Thus was thrown away once more a very fine
character. He ended his years in Tasmania, having been
transported for life.

Sir Joseph Banks, writing to Hooker shortly after the
above-mentioned incidents, says, " Whether the usurper
best deserves to be hanged is a matter that may be
doubted. But that both of them deserve it richly for
retarding the destinies of an innocent nation in trying
to facilitate their trade is what I do not doubt, and a
matter of which I think you will in due time be convinced,
if you are not already."

Mr. Hooker writes from Halesworth in reply (July 27,
1810) :

"... I must, Sir Joseph, once more crave your in-
dulgence whilst I bring forward the name of Jorgensen.
I am fully sensible that you have done for him more

1 The entertaining details of the Icelandic " Revolution " are to be
found in Hooker's published Journal (London, 1813), and in Sir George
Mackenzie's Travels in Iceland (1810).

254 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

than could reasonably be expected ; and more, too, than
he perhaps deserves. I think, too, from some hints that
have escaped you, that you pity him in his present situa-
tion, and that you would not object to hear of his im-
mediate release ; but, at the same time, that it would
be neither consistent nor proper for you to do any more
for him. ... I feel my situation with regard to Jorgen-
sen a very peculiar one. His exertions on board the Orion
most undoubtedly saved my life and those of the rest of
the passengers of the Margaret and Anne. Besides that
his pleasant manners and goodness of heart have excited
in me a friendship for him which I would be glad to make
use of in his behalf, but which I will never do if contrary
to your wishes."

Jorgensen reappeared in 1813, called upon Mr. Hooker
at Halesworth, and was entertained there. Here (he says)
in " the quiet retirement of this country residence," he
shut himself up and " wrote an account of the Icelandic
revolution, and presented it to Sir Joseph Banks."

Banks read the papers sent him, and appears to have
thought there was much to be said on both sides. He
tells Hooker that the man has opened a correspondence
with him; has written a story of the Revolution, and
" wishes to place it in my library. I said that if on perusal
I did not find anything improper I should comply with
his request." A month later he writes that he has no
further concern with Jorgensen : " his good or ill-fortune
will be alike indifferent to me. It is not my wish to exercise
the office of an avenger, and I thank God it is in no shape
my duty to interfere in his case further than I have done." 1

1 The papers handed to Banks are doubtless those preserved in the
British Museum (Egerton MSS., 2067-69). Since writing the above we
find that they have been partly utilized in literary form : The Convict
King, being the life and adventures of Jorgen Jorgensen, monarch of
Iceland, Naval Captain, Revolutionist, British Diplomatic Agent, Author,
Dramatist, Preacher, Political Prisoner, Gambler, Hospital Dispenser,
Continental Traveller, Explorer, Editor, Expatriated Exile, and Colonial
Constable, — By J. F. Hogan (London, 1876).

CHAPTER XVI
THE RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES

IT now happened, with the widening% knowledge
of the Natural Sciences and their growing popu-
larity as educational influences, that specialization
tended to produce new groups of men desirous
of a base for work independently of the Royal Society.
Hence arose several new Societies, each of them on a
new footing of their own. The Chemical Society and the
Geological Society were among the first, and they speedily
justified their separate existence. But Sir Joseph Banks
was not altogether content that Fellows of the Royal
Society should transfer their energies into new and
independent Associations ; and his countenance was not
willingly given. His views on the matter appear to have
been supported by some of his friends.

Mr. Weld alludes (History, II, 230) to this raising of
new and literary and scientific Bodies ; and tells us that
it was customary, " when any of these applied for a
charter of incorporation, to send a copy of the petition to
the Royal Society, in order that the Council might make
any objection that they thought proper." This statement
throws a little light on the situation. Once having got
into the way of appealing to the Royal Society, that is,
to Sir Joseph Banks, it was a facile step to submission
to his authority. The point that interests us is, that the
augury of a sort of autocracy arising soon after the first
accession of Banks to the chair in 1778, was fulfilled.
As this supreme authority in the world of Science was

255

256 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

maintained, not by arrogance, but by habitual courtesy
in consulting the feelings of others, and by devoting his
whole time and his fortune to the progress of knowledge,
he was enabled always to maintain a personal influence
over the philosophic world. " Every one looked up to him
as a friend and counsellor. He succeeded in keeping in
abeyance among them those feelings of jealousy from
which even those who, standing apart from mere vulgar
pursuits, devote themselves to the acquisition of know-
ledge, are not altogether exempt."1

Sir Joseph Banks was not alone in his short-sighted
view, that the Royal Society would suffer by the creation
of new associations to take over part of its work. But
it was a baseless fear. Although there was some little
slackening in its energy in the later years of Banks 's
presidency, the Royal Society continued afterwards in
great vigour, as a glance at its physical, astronomical,
and mathematical papers will show, or a recollection of
the names of Babbage, Davy, Baily, Olinthus Gregory,
John Herschel, etc. Indeed, one of the consequences
of the rise of new Societies lay in the occasional collabora-
tion that occurred between them and their respected
parent.

There was in existence, however, good proof that these
notions of rivalry were erroneous as to their bearing on the
stability of the older Society. Not only with Banks 's
concurrence, but with his financial aid, the Linnean
Society was set on foot in the year 1788. It had been
successful from the first, and that with topics hitherto
dealt with by the Royal Society. In its specialization
it had attracted members largely from a class of men
who were without ambition to become Fellows of the
Royal Society. In short, it was a sound and healthy
branch.

The origin of the Linnean Society was in this wise.

1 Sir B. C. Brodie : Autobiography, p. 73.

RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 257

After the death of Linnaeus, his entire collection of books,
papers, cabinets, and herbarium was offered to Sir Joseph
Banks for the sum of one thousand guineas. There was
breakfasting with him, when the message arrived, James
Edward Smith (a young pupil of Dr. Hope), who was
recently come to London, and welcomed in the coterie of
Soho Square. Smith's father was a member of the
renowned Norwich circle, and was prepared to smooth the
young man's path in the study of Natural Science.

Banks was not disposed to make the purchase, but
strongly counselled his friend to do so. Other men urged
him. Mr. Smith, senior, after some hesitation consented
to help his son to conclude the bargain. A bargain it
really was : two thousand volumes of books, about four-
teen thousand plants, and seven thousand shells, insects,
mineral specimens, and birds in glass cases. After delays
and dangers, and an escape from the design of the King
of Sweden to intercept it, this precious cargo reached the
Thames in October, 1784.

Dr. Smith presently resolved on forming a new institu-
tion for the exclusive promotion of Natural History
studies. Thus arose the Linnean Society of London.
He became the first President. In two years the Society
had over one hundred members and associates. Banks
gave it his hearty support. With his usual liberality, his
purse was opened for their assistance. For example, he
bore the entire cost of the copper and engraving of the
twenty plates in the first volume of the Society's Trans-
actions.

In the case of the Geological Society, Banks withdrew
from membership ostensibly on the ground that the
Council had deviated from its first principles. Really,
Sir Joseph wanted the Society to be as an assistant
association to the Royal Society. The body of the
members preferred entire independence. Apparently
there were no breaches of friendship over the matter.

258 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Ten years after this, the Astronomical Society was
set on foot. This greatly disturbed Sir Joseph. He
strenuously opposed it "on the ground that such an
association, by robbing the Royal Society of many of its
members, and affecting to engross one of its most im-
portant departments, struck a severe blow at its re-
spectability and usefulness." 1 Several persons held
aloof, including the Duke of Somerset, who was first
invited to become the President of the new Society —
on the ground that it was not approved by Sir Joseph
Banks. These alarms were needless, and it soon appeared
that the Astronomical Society had an important function
to fulfil, and that it was possible for gentlemen to become
active members of both Societies.

The Royal Institution was founded in 1800. It origi-
nated from a suggestion of Count Rumford, who had been
of late years in London, taking part in the scientific and
social activities of London. 2 When Rumford was formerly
resident in England (then plain Benjamin Thompson) he
introduced himself to Banks on the score of a learned

1 Sir John Barrow : Sketches of the Royal Society, etc.

2 Rumford was now accompanied by his only daughter. There is
an interesting memorandum of hers relating to this period : " My
father was often at the Royal Society, and intimate with the president,
Sir Joseph Banks. I would be invited to the dinners Sir Joseph gave to
the select ones of his royal learned society. Through the kindness and
civility of Lady and Miss Banks, his wife and sister, I several times
found myself one of their party. Lady Banks was so kind, and most
likely out of civility to my father, she would allow me to be with her for
days together, taking me about with her, letting me see things, trying to
amuse me. I recollect she took me to a Lord Mayor's ball, where I saw
the princes and Royal Family for the first time. As may be supposed,
the select dinners of the Royal Society were highly interesting, and
where I think ladies were seldom or never admitted. I was allowed to
accompany Lady and Miss Banks as a mere nobody ; but this did not
prevent my making observations which never have and never will be
forgotten. The idea of very learned people suggests pedantry. At
these dinners there was nothing of the kind, differing only from other
refined society when remarks were made to convey, perhaps, new ideas,
discoveries, or highly entertaining instruction ; sometimes there being
no such talk at all " (H. Bence Jones : The Royal Institution. London,
1871, p. $8.) This young lady (afterwards known as Sarah Countess
Rumford) presently attracted the eye and heart of Dr. Blagden. But
her father would not consent to their union.

RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 259

scientific essay that he brought with him. They speedily
became intimate. Thompson became a F.R.S. in the
following year (1779), and they had corresponded while
the young man was making his fortune and fame at the
Bavarian Court.

Rumford must be always active in something useful,
especially in improving the economical and domestic
condition of the poorer classes. He was an essentially
practical man, a thorough Utilitarian, before that title
was acquired by the advocates of utilitarianism who
made it famous. The idea now suggested itself to him
to popularize Science by lectures and by laboratory work,
and to bring such of the Royal Society's activities into
practical paths as were likely to be embraced by un-
scientific people. He proposed a new Institution with
this object in view. At a meeting held at Banks's house
in Soho Square, the thing was adopted ; and a large
number of gentlemen subscribed fifty guineas for the
purpose of founding the Institution. The definite object
was, " For diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the
general introduction, of useful mechanical inventions and
improvements ; and for teaching, by courses of philo-
sophical lectures and experiments, the application of
Science to the common purposes of life." The delicate
question was raised for a moment, whether its functions
would not interfere with existing Societies ; but this
did not acquire any weight, and was, perhaps, only
tendered as a courteous recognition of the valuable
work which the Society of Arts had been doing for nearly
half a century, very much on the same lines.

The first President was the Earl of Winchilsea and
Nottingham. Sir Joseph Banks was a Vice-President.
Nine managers were chosen, three of whom would retire
every year, but were eligible for re-election. Sir Joseph
Banks was elected for two years, and again in 1802 for
three years.

260 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

The Royal Institution had a great and an immediate
success. It was fashionable. Crowds of people came,
and were delighted at the mixture of amusement and
instruction which was offered to them, " the female part
of the audience" especially. Sir Humphry Davy gave
a course of lectures at the Institution in iSoi.1 His phe-
nomenal success as a chemist and physicist, and his
personal popularity, carried the Institution along with
him ; and, it may be said, the Institution gave Davy his
opportunity. Chemical research and electrical studies
now became matters of popular interest. And it looked
as if the Royal Institution supplied an indubitable want.
It was designated " the workshop of the Royal Society,"
and, as Mr. Weld says (II, 234), it deserved the appella-
tion.

The Royal Horticultural Society was the idea of
John Wedgwood, of Betley, in Staffordshire, a gentleman
devoted to horticulture and a good naturalist, a friend of
T. A. Knight. They were dissatisfied with the prevailing
habit of leaving all to the gardener, who generally pursued
the dull routine of his predecessor, without science and
with little intelligence. They felt sure of being able to
improve almost every esculent plant or fruit by the adop-
tion of system and foresight in garden operations. Wedg-
wood suggested a meeting for gentlemen holding similar
views, in order to start a Society for the study of Horti-
culture. Accordingly, there met at Mr. Hatchard's
shop, on March 7, 1804, Charles Greville, Sir Joseph
Banks, Messrs. Salisbury, Aiton, Forsyth, and Dickson,
with John Wedgwood. Thus was founded, with the as-
sistance of a number of gentlemen, the most distinguished
for their love of horticulture, a Society destined to
revolutionize the art of gardening, and to popularize it
among all classes of Society.

1 Davy's first start in life was with Dr. Beddoes, at the Pneumatic
Institute near Bristol above mentioned.

RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 261

The Earl of Dartmouth was the first President. Banks
was one of the Vice-Presidents. Wedgwood acted as
Treasurer. In 1809 the Society obtained a Charter of
Incorporation. From the very beginning it justified its
existence ; and it exists to-day, one of the most splendid
legacies of that awakening period.

At a time when Banks was loosening his hold upon
some of the threads that had been so long in his hands,
the Horticultural Society came as a fresh spur to activity.
His love of experiment had new scope, in association
with others, for the trial of ingenious improvements in
gardening. His house at Spring Grove, Isleworth, had
new attractions in the yearly increase and novelty of its
garden. Perhaps he did not have it all his own way ;
for he says, somewhere, " my gardener, who of course is
my master."

Sir Joseph was heart and soul with the new Society.
He read several papers at the evening meetings, all of
the most practical character. A very good one was " On
Inuring Tender Plants to our Climate," when he was
enabled to prove, from his own experience, that exotics,
however weakly and unpromising at first, mostly increased
in vigour every year if their growth was carefully studied.
" Old as I am " (he said) " I certainly intend this year to
commence experiments on the myrtle and the laurel."
Another good paper concerned the " Revival of an Obsolete
Mode of Managing Strawberries." This was none other
than the practice of mulching the plants with straw, a
hitherto forgotten mode which he had found in an old
herbal. A third paper worth mentioning told of his great
success in cultivating the American cranberry at Spring
Grove.

Thomas Andrew Knight was an indefatigable member
of the Society. He succeeded Lord Dartmouth as Presi-
dent, and held the chair for a long period of years. He
was long a close friend of Banks. His letters on gardening

262 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

bulk largely in the Banks Correspondence preserved at
South Kensington.

There was once a proposal for a Belles-Lettres Society.
It could have been only from the prevailing habit of
approaching Sir Joseph Banks on any great project what-
ever that tended to mental culture, that induced his
friends to ask him to join on such an occasion. Mr. H. F.
Greville, writing from Brighton (June, 1807), puts the
question to him, on behalf of himself, Richard Payne
Knight, Lord Abercorn, and other men of taste, who
are concerned in promoting the scheme, and incidentally
raises the question whether it would be proper to hold the
meetings of the Society under the same roof as a place of
public entertainment.

Banks 's reply is curious as a piece of self -revelation,
very rarely displayed in his correspondence with his
friends. The first-person-singular seldom occurs in his
letters, except as delivering an opinion or expressing his
wishes. We have had to judge him from his deeds, and
not from his confessions. For once, we get a faint glimpse
of the man himself from his own words.

Sir Joseph Banks to Henry Fulke Greville.

" SIR, — I am thankful to you for your letter of the
sixth instant, which I should have answered sooner had
the printed paper which came to my house some days
ago been at hand. From the tenour of the printed paper
I conceived that I was invited to become a Member of
an intended Society, and that the Room in which the
Society was to meet was to be occasionally employed for
other purposes. Your letter has shown me my mistake.
I find from it that new rooms are to be built and ex-
clusively reserved for the use of the intended Society, and
that the Members of it are to be chosen by a Committee.

RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 263

" I must beg on any terms to exculpate myself from all
idea of my having ever considered the amusements of the
great world as frivolous. I respect, I assure you, Sir, the
recreations of the public, and look up to those who direct
them with taste and with judgment. I see no objection
to a room being occupied on one day by a Society of
Philosophers, and on the next day a company of masquer-
aders ; and the less so as it will probably on both occasions
be frequented by the same persons. I was myself an
attendant on plays, operas, concerts, masquerades, etc.,
till prevented by infirmities ; and was my health now
restored to me I should again be partaker, in the decline of
life, of those gaieties which added so much pleasure
to the commencement of it.

" I am sorry I cannot accept your obliging invitation
to dine on the 28th, as I shall then be in the country.
But this is of no moment, and I know myself too well to
suppose myself a proper member of a Society for Belles
Lettres. I am scarce able to write my own language with
correctness, and never presumed to attempt elegant
composition, either in verse or in prose, in that or in any
other tongue. It is fitting, therefore, that I continue to
confine myself, as I have hitherto done, to the dry
pursuits of Natural History, etc."

In the case which may now be mentioned, there is still
another trace of Banks's unwillingness to venture on
matters to which he was wholly unaccustomed. The
reasons given for his decision are sound enough, but one
cannot doubt the existence of a sense that he was un-
equal to the post of a Judicial Inquirer. Two gentlemen
wanted the assistance of some person who would act as
Arbitrator, and sent word to Banks asking him to under-
take it. The reply is what might be expected from one
who was beginning to feel the excessive burdens of life.

264 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Sir Joseph Banks to Sir William Pulteney
and Sir Mark Wood.

" SOHO SQUARE, June 25, 1802.

" GENTLEMEN, — I beg you to accept my best thanks
for the flattering manner in which you have been pleased
to place your confidence in me, and for the precautions
you have taken to prevent unnecessary waste of my time
in the investigation of the business you wish me to under-
take. I must, nevertheless, trust that you will excuse
me, if I decline to accept the Arbitration you propose
to me.

" First, because the hazard of being a sole Referee is
greater in my opinion than any man ought to subject
himself to voluntarily.

" Secondly, because in my opinion, matters of Flight
ought in all cases to be settled by the usual Tribunals of
the Country ; and matters of account, which alone are
proper subjects for arbitration, ought to be submitted
to those persons only who are professional Accountants.

" Thirdly, because my time is at present so fully
occupied, especially since I had the honour to be a
member of the Privy Council and appointed to most, if
not all, the active Committees of that Body, that I have
more business than I can properly attend to ; and cannot
therefore undertake anything in addition without a
certain sacrifice of some part of what I have already
taken upon myself to perform.

" Either of these reasons will, I hope, justify me for
declining an office which, in the first contemplation of it,
appears almost like a moral duty. But if to this I add
that experience has too frequently shewn the infinite
improbability of an Arbitrator of the most enlightened
abilities having it in his power to satisfy both parties ;
and the too frequent occurrence of both parties being
equally dissatisfied, you will acknowledge that, holding,

RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 265

as I hope to do, a place in the esteem of two such valuable
men as you are, I am justified in declining to put to the
hazard what I have so much reason to value."

It was, perhaps, a surprise to Banks himself to be con-
sulted by the Prince of Wales on some manuscripts from
Herculaneum which had been sent to him, and whose
first thought was that the President of the Royal Society
should undertake the examination of them. But Banks
did not shrink from the task. He forthwith super-
intended the process of unrolling and deciphering the
documents. Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt (December 23, 1804)
writes to assure Banks of his thanks for his " zealous
assistance, without which progress would have been
much slower." This also was a very protracted business.
It included a chemical examination of the manuscripts
by Humphry Davy. Not until February, 1819, was a
Report officially made.

CHAPTER XVII
REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION

times were unpropitious for the dispatch of
Collectors on behalf of Kew Gardens. An
opportunity came, however, in the year 1803,
which resulted in developing a new import of
exotic plants from China. This was continued with
success for several years, accompanied by the reverse
operation of transferring English fruits, etc., to China.

The botanist was William Kerr, son of a nurseryman at
Hawick. Mr. David Lance, an official of the East India
Company's factory at Canton, was an intimate friend of
Banks ; and the occasion of his departure was taken
for Kerr to go under his protection. Kerr proved a
valuable aid to the cause of horticulture, and a good
correspondent for Banks, who treated him with the
constant courtesy he extended to every one in his employ,
especially gardeners who were expatriated in the cause of
Science, Their correspondence is rather technical for
these pages. But one enclosure of Kerr's is of remarkable
interest, as showing once more how the votaries of
Science could unconsciously serve the cause of inter-
national friendship :

Puankhequa (President of the Company of Merchants
privileged to trade with foreign merchants at Canton
in China) to Sir Joseph Banks.

" loth day of the ist moon of the nth year of Kia King, or

" the 28th February, 1806.

" SIR, — The celebrity of your name has been long known
to me, as by Mr. Lance I have been informed of the

266

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 267

respect due to your distinguished merit and abilities ;
but the letter and presents with which you have lately
honoured me I particularly esteem as a prelude to a
nearer and more intimate acquaintance with you.

"It is extremely gratifying to me to find that my
endeavours to assist Mr. Lance, and his Britannic
Majesty's gardener, in the highly useful and interesting
pursuits in which they have been engaged, have proved
acceptable. But I blush to receive for so trifling a favour
the very elegant return which you have made me. I
nevertheless readily accept of those presents as a testi-
mony of your esteem and regard. My apartments will be
adorned and my table will be graced by the several articles,
and they shall be so disposed as may appear most worthy
and honourable to the magnificent donor as well as
recall him oftenest to my remembrance.

" If my country affords any natural or artificial
productions which may be curious or interesting in your
eyes, I trust you will inform me and signify your com-
mands ; for in endeavouring to execute them I shall have
a peculiar pleasure.

" In the meanwhile I send a few presents which, being
more remarkable for their rarity and curiosity than for
their value or magnitude, I trust you will not hesitate
to accept, as a mark of the esteem and consideration with
which I have the honour to subscribe myself/' etc. etc.

" List of articles :

" No. i. A pair of large rosewood and glass lanterns,

ornamented with silk Tassels.
" No. 2. A pair of large horn lanterns, ornamented

with silk Tassels.
" No. 3. A set of 20 cups and covers of new and curious

Porcelaine.
" No. 4. A set of 20 enamelled ornamental stands for

ditto.

268 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" No. 5. A set of lacquered and inlaid dishes or

waiters.
" No. 6. Four red boxes, varnished and carved in a

rare and curious manner.

" No. 7. A peculiarly curious and ancient dwarf Tree.
"No. 8. Eight pots of the finest moutans."1

After seven years' work at Canton, interrupted by a
botanic trip to Luzon and the neighbourhood, Kerr was
recommended by Banks to the Governor of Ceylon, who
wanted to find a competent superintendent to the new
Botanic Garden there. Kerr set it on foot, and was
making a flourishing affair of it, when he was seized with
some illness incidental to the climate, and died in 1814,
only two years after his arrival. Alexander Moon
succeeded him, arriving out in 1817. The site of the
garden was removed to a more suitable spot, and continues
to improve. Favourable reports of the Peradeniya garden
are still received periodically in London.

This mission of Mr. Kerr to Canton is the more in-
teresting because of Banks's association with others
concerned in the Canton factory. Sir George Thomas
Staunton, son of the famous ambassador to China, in
company with Lord Macartney, was in the beginning of a
life of splendid usefulness ; at present supercargo at the
factory. Between Banks and Lance and Staunton
there appears to have been a common regard. Staunton
was one of the new generation upon whom the mantle of
Banks's fellows was to fall. To such persons Sir Joseph
held out his hand of encouragement without reserve
and without parade. He lived to see Staunton risen to
high distinction as a diplomatist and a linguist, and the
first authority on China and the Chinese.

Sir George was asked to concern himself with the welfare

1 i.e. the tree-paeony. In his covering letter, Kerr says the Chinese
gentleman had known the dwarf tree for thirty years, and it was
supposed to be at least one hundred years old.

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 269

of Mr. Kerr ; and he forthwith made this his obligation. The
botanist had good reason to be thankful for this patronage,
in his very difficult surroundings. Much of his success was
owing to it, and he gratefully acknowledges to Sir Joseph
Banks the assistance and encouragement he has had.

Another young man who made afterwards something of
a reputation went out to Canton in 1806, This was
Thomas Manning, the friend of Charles Lamb, who had
been released from detention in France through the inter-
vention of Sir Joseph Banks. Manning's friends thought
it a sort of freak ; but he became interested in Chinese
matters, and saw that the only way to learn the language
and understand the people was to visit the country.
With Banks's interests in the East India Company, he
was enabled to go under agreeable circumstances, as a
doctor to the factory at Canton, with free passage out,
and a residence. He was entrusted with a number of
European plants for the care of Mr. Kerr.1

1 A long and amusing letter from Manning (posted at Cape Town,
Aug. 9, 1806) is included in the Banks MSS. at Kew. One extract is
worth making : " After a pleasant passage of ten or eleven weeks we are
arrived within a few days' sail of the Cape. ... I am exceedingly
comfortably situated, and treated with great respect and even distinc-
tion. My greatest want is good society. I am among a set of grossly
ignorant people. The rogues soon found out my superiority of acquire-
ments, and they now will give me credit for knowing what I am really
ignorant of. Because they see I take a great interest in the plants, they
look up to me as a botanist, and I cannot undeceive them. The plants
are most of them thriving, but some are dead, or at least have lost their
leaves. ... I have been careful to shelter them from all violence,
either of heat, rain, or wind ; and the captain's steward has been par-
ticularly careful in tending them. I had a little trouble at first in
preventing certain officers from plucking the odoriferous leaves, but a
little gentle expostulation and management soon succeeded. The first
mate does not approve of having a garden on the poop at all. He says
it racks the ship all to pieces. The Captain agrees in the same story,
and when the beams creak in the cuddy, they turn to me sometimes and

d the flower-pots. But 'tis half in joke. At least, they exaggerate

the matter. ..." Living plants are but sickly passengers at sea. A
consignment of boxes from Kew to Canton in March, 1805, contained
living plants as follows : 1 5 grapes, 24 plums and cherries, 24 peaches
and nectarines, 20 pears and apricots, 19 figs, etc., 12 rhododendrons and
azaleas, 34 roses, 1 10 various bulbs, 22 pelargoniums, and 64 miscel-
laneous. Few of them reached their destination, on account of accident
or neglect.

270 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Sir Joseph Banks to Sir George Staunton.

" SOHO SQUARE, May 7, 1806.

" MY DEAR SIR GEORGE, — The bearer, Mr. Manning,
has for some time back destined himself to the almost
impossible task of travelling in China, in order to gain a
real and substantial knowledge of all that that enig-
matical nation are acquainted with ; and has long
resolved that obstacles shall be surmounted, difficulties
despised, and even Death itself held in contempt ; in
pursuit of an enterprise more hazardous, perhaps, than
any which the sons of Science have engaged in during the
period of our lives.

" To you, my dear Sir, I beg leave to recommend him,
as a man for whom I feel a warm friendship, which I
trust nothing but real merit could inspire. He possesses
much talent, much information, and much real Science,
as well as a disposition eminently suited to the sur-
mounting of difficulties.^ And, beside this, as many
amiable dispositions of temper and conduct as any idle
sons of the town with whom I happen to be acquainted.1
. . . You are, I understand, to be visited by a missionary
either this year or next. I have not been able to learn
much about him, except that he belongs to the eclectics,
who are an association of every kind of person that
dissents from the rites of the Established Church. . . .

1 Banks was rewarded for the pains he took to forward Manning's
enterprise, in securing a new and interesting correspondent. Sir
George Staunton showed the greatest attention to Manning, " giving him
instruction and assistance in the most obliging manner " ; he was thus
enabled to get in closer touch with the Chinese than was usual for an
Englishman. He persevered in his attempts on the language, but amid
much opposition, for the natives would not help him. Among other
troubles with the Mandarins were the repeated efforts to make him cut
off his long and ample beard ; " I would rather go and live in the Bonze
house over the water, and see no Europeans at all, than part with my
dear beard." He offered his services as Astronomer to the Emperor and
Physician to the Empress, but the Mandarins withstood him. Mann-
ing's journal to Lhasa, with some notes of his life, was published by
Admiral C. R. Markham (London, 1876). A very entertaining volume.

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 271

My own opinion leans to the probability of his obtaining
the crown of martyrdom much more readily than a
single convert to the Cross.'*

The new missionary went out in the following year :
no other than Robert Morrison. Far from incurring
martyrdom, he captured hearts everywhere, even among
the higher Chinese.1 Sir Joseph Banks introduced him
to Staunton, and commended him to such friendly
countenance and aid as his situation in the factory
would permit.

Perhaps a closer bond between Banks and his friends at
Canton was porcelain. Lady Banks was an ardent and
intelligent collector. Banks himself became a by no means
inadequate authority on the subject. According to
Sir John Barrow, he left among his papers a " curious,
interesting, and well-written history and art of the
manufacture of porcelain by the Chinese, illustrated by a
very select and extensive collection of choice and varie-
gated specimens that were in the possession of Lady
Banks." Doubtless this MS. is still in existence, hoarded
by a Collector of another sort, and it would repay
examination. For the present, some of our readers will
peruse an extract from Banks's first letter to Mr. Lance
with considerable interest.

Sir Joseph Banks to David Lance, Esq.

" SOHO SQUARE, August 30, 1803.

" MY DEAR SIR, — ... At Lady Banks's desire I enclose
to you the paper you will receive with this. She is a little
old-china mad. But she wishes to mix as much reason

1 Translator to the East India Company. Interpreter to Lord
Amherst's Mission (1817). Wrote a Chinese Grammar, compiled a
Dictionary, and translated the Bible into Chinese. Died at Canton,
August, 1834.

272 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

with her madness as possible. She has heard much of
old china in England, but does not believe that any of it
is older than Queen Elizabeth's reign, and that very little
indeed is old.

" She thinks that all dishes and plates made after
the models of silver plate, as indeed is the case with the
greater number, must be very modern ; that is, since the
English traded with Canton in 1680, when I believe the
first direct ship sailed from London. She has an idea also
that tea-pots, and all the tea-service, are unknown to the
economy of the Chinese. Coffee-pots she is sure are so.
She believes, however, that the Chinese use small cups,
not very unlike tea-cups, for their usual food ; and possibly
tea and coffee cups for drinking som shee, their ardent
spirit. She wishes much the same information on the
subject of burnt-in china, which is said to be manufactured
in the interior, and painted there with the colour of blue ;
but that it is painted with red in the vicinity of Canton,
and burned a second time.

" On the subject of a certain kind of china ware much
admired in Europe, called here green enamel, she also is
desirous of information. It is now to be found in all
collections of old china. But in those made at the be-
ginning of the century, no such china is to be found ;
as, for instance, Queen Caroline's cabinet at Windsor,
where nine-tenths of the china is blue and white, or
white. Lady Banks knows that the old Nankin blue-and-
white is in point of material much superior to all other
china. She wishes to obtain, if possible, some account
of the comparative degrees of imperfection in those
that are ornamented with a variety of colours, as she is
inclined to think that they are coarse in the bisquet in
proportion as they are gaudy in the painting/'

% Banks's letters to Sir George Staunton usually'contain
some reminder on the subject ; as, " Lady Banks, who

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 273

came into the room while I was writing, requests me
to put you in mind of her Dairy. If any piece of odd,
unusual, old, or middle-aged china should fall in your
way, she will be thankful in the extreme for your re-
membrance." In point of fact, the pair of them had got
the craze very badly. Sir George Staunton did not fail to
attend to their wishes. Several consignments of valuable
porcelain were sent to London, to the delight of Lady
Banks and the surprise of Sir Joseph, to whom it was a
matter of a new Discovery. He had no idea, until he saw
these things, that porcelain was almost a lost art since
European colouring and imitations came into vogue.

The return of peace, after the long contest in which
nearly every part of the world was involved, was hailed
by few with such welcome as by the naturalists. There
would be no more dangers of capture at sea, and no
longer any interference, under a " little brief authority,"
with the local work of Explorers and Collectors.

Some persons were fortunate enough to escape annoy-
ance throughout the whole period of the war, as in the
case of those under the protection of the East India
Company. At Calcutta, Canton, Ceylon, etc., the botan-
ists were able to pursue their tranquil career, which was,
as a rule, devoted to economic cultivation for the use
of the natives. But their consignments to England were
much diminished, while better times were awaited.
Again, a man like Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, holding
the Dutch possession of Java, was by his great abilities
not only able to govern the country better than it had
been governed before, and to introduce some civilization
into the interior of the Island, but to investigate its
natural productions. In the botanical department he was
assisted by a young American surgeon, Thomas Horsfield,
who had been in Java since 1804 studying the flora
of the island.1 When Raffles was appointed to the com-

1 Dr. Horsfield's collections are now with the Linnean Society.
T

274 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

mand in 1811, he soon found out Dr. Horsfield, and gave
the whole weight of his authority to protecting and
assisting him. He was himself a botanist ; and the two
together did a prodigious amount of work, the results
rinding their way in the end to the British Museum
collection. After five years at Java, Raffles went in
1818 to command in Sumatra, and worked there a
similar revolution in the order of things. Although a
young man, and the envy of some of his fellow-officers,
Raffles early secured the notice of Sir Joseph Banks, who
naturally detected his great promise ; and their corre-
spondence became very friendly.

At Calcutta, a new man was coming to the fore.
This was Dr. Nathaniel Wallich, a Dane, who entered
the East India Company's service. He was made
superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden in
1815, and carried it on in great perfection for many
years. His letters to Banks are exclusively botanical,
but they bear unmistakable signs of devotion to his
pursuit.

Soon after the conclusion of peace, in 1814, the Curator
at Kew Gardens made it his business to revive the
question of sending out plant-collectors. He told Sir
Joseph that he had in view several young gardeners,
men of sound principles and invaluable zeal for the
service, and having the requisite knowledge ; he wished
to lay the matter before the Prince Regent if Sir Joseph
agreed that the time was auspicious. Banks wrote
in reply, full of his old alacrity. He thought the Cape
of Good Hope and New South Wales were the most
productive places for a new research, and there were
other places he should wish to be visited.

Banks had now a new race of officials to deal with.
Men had arisen who knew not Sir Joseph, in the sense
of being an applicant for public money. There is a very
good letter to Mr. George Harrison (dated September,

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION [ 275

1814), in which he presents an elementary view of Kew
affairs, for the instruction of the new people in office.

After proclaiming the importance of the Kew Gardens,
and its superiority over all similar institutions, in the
eyes both of Englishmen and foreigners, he protests that
its position is somewhat impaired by the interruption of
communications during the late war. It is desirable to
renew its activity in the search for exotic plants, and, of
course, it is partly a matter of public expense. " The
plan of collecting for Kew, as established by His Majesty,
has hitherto been to employ those young gardeners,
educated in the Gardens, who showed the most inclina-
tion to, and made the greatest proficiency in botanical
pursuits, and were best skilled in the successful arrange-
ment of the plants in the Gardens. Among the many
young men who work there in the hope of being recom-
mended to gentlemen's families as gardeners when they
have learned the art, some were always to be found
whose dispositions led them to the study of Botany,
and whose talents enabled them to excel in it. From
these the best were selected ; and it is remarkable that
I do not recollect one instance of a man well acquainted
with the plants in the Gardens who did not feel an
ambition to be employed as a Collector.

"Although the pay of that employment was regulated
more by that attention to strict economy, which all
who have a concern with the Privy Purse of the Sovereign
are bound to exercise, than to that well-regulated liberality
which those who are paid out of the Public Purse ex-
perience : who, if their salaries do not enable them to
save a sufficient provision for their old age, are provided
with pensions of retreat sufficient to render the latter
and less active part of their lives comfortable and happy.

" The establishment of a Kew Collector was, forty years
ago, £100 a year as wages. He was allowed to draw bills
for travelling expenses and board wages to the amount of

276 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

£200 more ; but this he was never allowed to exceed,
and, in fact, it was in almost all cases enough, and was
never exceeded without a satisfactory explanation being
given. In no instance, as far as I can recall, has any
censure been passed on any of those Collectors. So well
does the serious mind of a Scotch education fit Scotsmen
to the habits of industry, attention, and frugality, that
they rarely abandon them at any time of life, and I
may say never while they are young." Sir Joseph then
proposes to give them £180, since money is much higher
in value than it was. Out of this they may be expected
to save £150 at the least, as £30 it is presumed will be
sufficient to furnish them with clothes and pocket-money.
A free passage in one of the King's ships is expected,
and mess with the warrant-officers. Governors in the
colonies are instructed to supply them with bullock-
wagons, etc., from the public stores. . . . " I am willing,
if Lord Liverpool thinks it would be advantageous to the
undertaking, to audit the accounts sent home by the
Collectors, and to certify them for the Treasury." He
proposes Allan Cunningham and James Bowie, who are
ready, and even anxious, to obtain the employment as
Collectors. As though warned by the adventures of
Mr. Caley, he says that the Collectors " must be directed
by their instructions not to take upon themselves the
character of gentlemen, but to establish themselves in
point of board and lodging as servants ought to do."

After alluding to the commerce of Exotic plants,
already of some importance and promising to improve,
he says, " The Domestic trade in plants, supported far
above its natural level by the use of growing plants in all
expensive entertainments, maintains a race of sober,
healthy, and industrious people, daily on the increase.
This will also be increased by the introduction of beautiful
novelties. These considerations it is hoped will induce
His Majesty's Ministers to foster an establishment which

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 277

does honour to the Science of the Country, promotes
in some degree its commerce, and aids its population.

The two young Scotchmen were sent off in October,
1814, first to the Brazils, with very satisfactory results.
In 1816 Cunningham1 went to New South Wales and
New Zealand. He joined John Oxley's Expedition to the
Macquarie River, which turned out extremely interesting
in a botanical point of view. He remained a Kew Collector
until 1831, and his work is commemorated in a grand
monograph of the New Zealand flora. James Bowie
went, in 1817, to the Cape, and was occupied there for
several years with very great success. His plants are in
the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum. Some
drawings of his are in the Kew Collection.

Another emissary was Dr. Clarke Abel, who held a
medical appointment under the East India Company.
When Lord Amherst's embassy to China was in prepara-
tion, Banks proposed to the Company that Abel should
go with him as naturalist. An ample outfit was provided
for him, in apparatus, etc., and James Hooper, a Kew
gardener, appointed as his assistant. This man turned
out a most valuable help. His industry as a Collector
was unremitting. Unfortunately he suffered shipwreck,
with three hundred packages of seeds in his custody,

1 Allan Cunningham is one of the most remarkable men who entered
the ranks of Botanical Collectors. Born at Wimbledon, of a Renfrew-
shire father, he was first sent to a conveyancer's office in London ; but
a fondness for botanical pursuits led him to the notice of W. T. Aiton.
He became associated in the production of the second edition of
Hortus Kewensis, and being introduced to Robert Brown, who speedily
detected his talent, Cunningham remained an employee at Kew, adding
to his knowledge and botanical qualifications. His life's opportunity
came when Banks required a new emissary as above mentioned.

Cunningham's adventures are of the most abounding interest, both
in Brazil and New South Wales. His manuscript journals, and some
letters to Sir Joseph Banks, are still preserved among the treasures of
the Natural History Museum, together with the collection of plants
made in Brazil with James Bowie ; and his own Australian plants
(1818-26). v. also Narrative of the Survey of Australia (1818-22), by
Phillip Parker King.

278 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

which were all lost. Hooper afterwards became " Hortu-
lanus " at the Buitenzorg Botanic Garden, near Batavia.

Another exploring scheme was to take the river Congo
from its estuary upward in order to prove its connection
with the Niger. In spite of some objectors it was generally
believed that the two rivers were one and the same.
One of these objectors was Reichard, a German geo-
grapher, whose idea was that the Niger poured its waters
into the Gulf of Benin. He was right, as it turned out ;
but at the period of which we are writing, Reichard 's
hypothesis was " entitled to very little esteem."

Sir Joseph Banks learned of this project through a
letter of Mr. Barrow, Secretary to the Admiralty, dated
July 29, 1815. It was felt (he said) that an expedition
up the Congo was more likely to be successful than one
down the Niger. "As to whether the two streams are
one and the same, it would be discreditable for this
country to remain much longer in ignorance." In the
meantime, they could do nothing without Banks 's
assistance ; and would he be good enough to cast about
for a proper Nattiralist? He had found an excellent
fellow for commander, in Lieutenant John Kingston
Tuckey, R.N., who had already distinguished himself in
the seas surveyed by Flinders, and whose recently
published Maritime Geography and Statistics showed his
liking for this sort of work.

Banks suggested a steamboat for the purpose of the river
voyage. This was at first approved, but after conferring
with Mr. Rennie, and Messrs. Boulton and Watt, Barrow
reported that they considered it quite impracticable to
build one suitable for the river. But Sir Joseph had
been aroused by the idea, and put forth all his old mental
energy. He wrote a long and reminiscent letter, deducing
from his own experience the best means for making the
thing a success. He persisted in favour of a small steam-
boat : " Is it conceivable " (he wrote) " that a rich and

REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 279

powerful nation, undertaking to explore the swiftest
river in the world by ascending the stream, and having
newly discovered a method of stemming the currents
of rivers, should neglect to use this discovery as a public
measure, when individuals find it profitable to avail
themselves of it in their private concerns ? "

Banks was obviously bent on assisting the Expedition,
and his letter showed so much evidence of his zeal,
at the same time submitting his judgment courteously
to the opinions of others, that the authorities gave way
on the matter of the steamboat. However, after the
little vessel (named the Congo) had been constructed,
and an engine built into her, it was found that about
four knots only could be made. As it was late in the
season for making a new engine, this one was taken out ;
and the Congo, when properly rigged, turned out a very
excellent sailer.

Tuckey presently departed with high expectations of
being one of the world's great explorers. He took with
him Lieutenant John Hawkey, who had been a fellow-
prisoner in France ; also Christian Smith, a Norwegian
botanist, and Mr. Cranch, naturalist. They succeeded
in making two hundred and eighty miles up the Congo.
Then disaster came swiftly upon them. Smith died of
fever, September, 1816. Hawkey and Tuckey soon
followed him to the grave.1

1 v. Narrative of an Expedition to explore the river Zaire, usually
called the Congo, in South Africa (London, 1818).

CHAPTER XVIII
FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL

FROM an early period in the nineteenth century
Sir Joseph Banks seems to have been, more
or less, a confirmed invalid. An attack of
gout was to be apprehended every winter.
In some cases it would last over several months. He
would write to Bligh, or Flinders, or other distant friends,
with pathetic allusions to his growing infirmities. To
those about him it was a matter of grave concern at each
repeated occasion of taking to his bed.

Yet, it never seemed possible for Banks to lose sight
of the numerous interests which life had for him. At the
time when he was absorbed with the new threat upon his
Presidency, at the close of 1802, his life was passed amid
much bodily suffering. Only his intimates knew that he
had " a racking cough, with aches and cramps all over,"
and consequent sleeplessness. During the next winter,
he was in bed with gout for many weeks. His recovery
from this — for which he gives grateful acknowledgment
and a handsome fee to his friend Home, was followed by
a long period of relief. But four years later, when he had
the troubles of the Icelanders on his hands, he was again
seriously ill. With all this, Banks's mind never seemed
to flag. There were as many activities as ever for him ;
and he was buoyant, and cheerful, and interested in life,
when actually out of pain.

It must be said, however, that there was sometimes
visible a deterioration in his temper, and in his manner

280

FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL 281

of contradiction. Yet his judgment was usually sound
and fair, to the very last.

The same round of festive gatherings and conversazioni
went on with undiminished brilliancy. He was a constant
attendant at the Royal Society Club. Considering his
bodily infirmities this was very wonderful as a triumph
of mind over matter.

" For fourteen or fifteen years previous to his death
he lost the use of his lower limbs so completely as to
oblige him to be carried or wheeled, as the case might
require, by his servants in a chair. In this way he was
conveyed to the more dignified Chair of the Royal Society,
and also to the Club, and conducted the business with so
much spirit and dignity that a stranger would not have
supposed he was often suffering at the time, nor even
have observed an infirmity, which never disturbed his
uniform cheerfulness." 1

Yet, in spite of his being thus crippled, he managed
to live a full life, attending to his various official duties
with his old zest. He took his physical troubles with
more than philosophy. He rarely alluded to his growing
weakness ; and then without murmuring. " I think I
shall not last much longer " (he writes to Bligh). " I
thank God I have had a long and happy life, and think
I am quite willing to resign it. At this moment I have
no use of my left hand, and not much of my legs." There
were still twelve years of his life to run. And still he
could write jocular letters to Everard Home, on col-
chicum, quackery, and eau medicinale d'Husson; perhaps
with a view of cheering up his fellow-sufferer. He could
be merry enough, when not in actual pain ; and he kept
up those social pleasures that were in reach. He writes to
Home (August 24, 1818) :

" The Club prospers. Till last Thursday we had not

1 Sir John Barrow : Sketches of the Royal Society, etc.

282 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

mustered less than nine. On the last club-day we were
seven, agreed to reduce the number from twelve to seven.
. . . Murdoch never misses. Barrow is a good attendant.
Of my attendance you are quite sure, as I have no other
dinner on Thursday when in London."

The very last years of Banks 's life showed many
evidences of his vigour of mind. He was following atten-
tively the doings of his younger botanical friends : W. J.
Hooker at home, Caley at St. Vincent's, Dr. Wallich at
Calcutta, and John Reeves 1 at Canton. This last-named
gentleman was Inspector of Tea for the East India Com-
pany, and had been a faithful correspondent since the
days of William Kerr. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles wrote
encouragingly of his own fine management of affairs in
Sumatra, and his discovery of a new botanist in Dr.
Thomas Horsfield, of Philadelphia. Captain Scoresby,
another man rising into fame, had much communication
with Sir Joseph on his projects of Polar discovery. Mr.
T. A. Knight, with his gardening experiments, and Major
Rennell, active as ever in geography and topography,
were among his older friends who kept closely in touch
with him. Another devoted correspondent was Lady
Hester Stanhope ; a good letter writer, and an excellent
narrator, who entertained Banks for several years with
gossip, and her own philosophy, from Syria..

Nor did the circumstance of Banks's physical weakness

1 Reeves is a man not to be forgotten. " During the whole period of
his residence in China, 1812-31, he contributed largely to English
horticulture . . . not only by his own direct shipments but also by
collecting plants during the spring and summer, establishing them well
in pots, previous to the shipping season, and then commending them to
the care of the captains of the Company's ships, to whom he was also
always able to recommend the most desirable plants for transportation
to England, and to whom he succeeded in communicating the enthu-
siasm which animated himself. ... He was either the immediate or
indirect source from which we derived the Chinese Azaleas, Camellias,
Moutans, Chrysanthemums, Roses, and numberless other treasures,
which have been for so many years the glory of English collections." —
Bretschneider : History of European Botanical Discoveries in China
(London, 1898).

FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL 283

being so notorious deter people from regarding him as
the first and last authority in the scientific world. All
were so habituated to seek his patronage, or assistance,
or advice, that they could not forbear going to "the
fountain head," as they had done for thirty years or more.
And this is true, not only of the numberless obscure,
with their gleams of fortune if only Sir Joseph could be
induced to give them a lift. It was just the same with
those of his own rank, of his own fellow- workers in science.
His influence had become solid and overwhelming. There
was, for one example, an attempt to form a garden in the
new Regent's Park, for Botanical and Horticultural study.
Dr. John Latham, a distinguished physician and botanist ;
John Gait ; and some other well-known gentlemen were
in the project. It actually fell through because Banks's
countenance was considered indispensable, and this was
not forthcoming. And Regent's Park waited for its
Garden until 1839, wnen ^ was begun under the auspices
of the Royal Botanic Society.

The episode of Mr. Salt and the Egyptian antiquities
is one of the latest semi-public affairs in which Sir Joseph
was concerned.

The dramatis persona are Lord Valentia, a renowned
traveller of the time ; Henry Salt, his secretary and
draughtsman ; Nathaniel Pearce, their servant ; and
Mr. W. Hamilton, orientalist, and a prominent member
of the cultured world. Valentia and Banks were on terms
of intimacy, so that an acquaintance with Salt followed
in due course. Salt made another important journey, on
embassy from the British Government to the King of
Abyssinia ; and six years afterward was made Consul-
General for Egypt.

Sir Joseph Banks, who was now giving up to Archae-
ology a full share of the energies he had hitherto lent to
Natural History, was now an assiduous student of relics,
antique gems, " tombstones," and such-like. He sug-

284 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

gested to Salt that he might benefit by the facilities
afforded in his situation at Cairo, to collect Egyptian
antiquities for the British Museum. It was a congenial
idea. Salt entertained it with some warmth ; and, when
he landed in Egypt, took measures for carrying out
plans of exploration, and for buying specimens and
examples. He was in fairly good financial circumstances ;
but zeal carried him forward, and some of his purchases
were made with borrowed money. He sent an agent to
Thebes to buy antiquities. He employed Belzoni to bring
away the colossal head of Memnon : an object long
familiar to us in the public hall of the Egyptian Depart-
ment at Bloomsbury. In this matter Burckhardt shared
the expenses, and the two made a present of it to the
British Museum, along with other valuable items. Pearce
brought from Abyssinia some trifling additions to the
spoil.1

When Salt found that he had been at a cost greatly
exceeding his anticipations, he naturally looked for
some recompense. He had embarked all his little patri-
mony in the determination to secure a number of valu-
able antiquities. Hence arose the question of prices to
be paid. He sent Hamilton a list of items, with what he
considered a fair price marked against each. Some of
these were fine specimens of antiquity ; notably among
them an alabaster sarcophagus, which he valued at a very
high figure.

The prices were simply his own suggestion, which it
was within his right to make. But, contrary to Salt's in-
tention, Hamilton showed the list to Sir Joseph Banks.

1 Pearce stayed in Cairo until his death in 1820. He led a life of
remarkably varied adventure. Apprenticed to a carpenter, he ran away
to sea ; was again apprenticed to a leather-seller, and presently enlisted
in the Marines. He was made prisoner by the French, served again in
the Navy, found his way on board Lord Valentia's ship ; joined Henry
Salt ; and at last became a botanist and curiosity-hunter. Pearce
stated very positively that Mungo Park was still alive in 1818, and was
in honourable captivity at Timbuctoo.

FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL 285

Other gentlemen saw it. Banks gave a rash and ready
opinion on the matter and stuck to it angrily and obsti-
nately. Meanwhile, the unfortunate list passed from hand
to hand ; and the general opinion on Salt's conduct be-
came unduly weighted by that of Sir Joseph, as though
it were an attempt at extortion.

When the news of all this came to Salt's knowledge, he
wrote from Cairo (May, 1819) with surprise and alarm.
He protested to Mr. Hamilton that he had been com-
pletely misunderstood. He had offered the collection
to the Government, at their own valuation ; but he had
enclosed a list with his private estimate of the value of
the different articles, without, however, setting up a
standard for the Government to act upon. " To prevent
any future misunderstanding I now take the liberty of
offering, through you, my whole collection to the British
Museum (except a few articles intended for Earl Mount-
norris) without any condition whatever, and shall feel a
great pride in hereafter rendering it complete. The ex-
penses incurred in forming this collection have been con-
siderable, and have somewhat seriously trenched on my
small private property. Should the Trustees be pleased
to reimburse me, in whole or in part, I shall receive it
as an obligation ; otherwise, shall rest perfectly satisfied
in the idea that my services in this respect will not be
ultimately overlooked by the Government. . . ."

He stated also that Belzoni had a substantial claim to
a share in any pecuniary results ; and that expert had
put a price on the sarcophagus considerably over £2000.
The Secretary at War, Charles Yorke, was also appealed
to, as one officially interested.

Salt's explanatory letters seem to have given satis-
faction to everybody but Sir Joseph ; who still adhered
to his first thought, that there had been an attempt at
imposition. He was not disposed to accept Mr. Salt's
reasons for his having sent such a list, and long months

286 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

elapsed before he yielded to the now prevailing opinion :
that the antiquities offered were really of high value.

It was during the progress of this controversy that
Hamilton, in a letter to Lord Valentia (now Mountnorris),
used the expression that has sometimes been quoted
about Banks : " Sir Joseph, you know, is a man of a
word and a blow." Doubtless, he had acted hastily, and
without having obtained an expert opinion. Banks
could not be called an expert in Egyptian sculptures, as
such ; although he was well versed in some lines of
archaeology. Since, however, his prestige was so great
in everything that concerned the Museum, even Hamil-
ton (who knew everything about this class of antiquities)
was compelled to wait ; while he did his best to soften
matters for Salt. The great probability is that Sir
Joseph's powers were failing, certainly as to memory.
By November, he was writing to Lord Mountnorris in a
tone which simply denotes a concern that Salt's treasures
be secured. " One of Salt's statues " (he says) " has
arrived. It is the one he values at £800,* consequently
in his opinion the best he has. I am taking measures to
have it removed to the British Museum and placed there
in public view, preparatory to the arrival of the rest. The
other is now in a cellar in the city. I went with Combe
in the hopes of seeing it, but found the stairs too narrow.
He saw it, and considers it far the best Egyptian work
he has seen, Memnon excepted. The General Meeting of
the Trustees will very soon take place. I shall then make
Salt's proposal, which will I hope be instantly accepted."

Banks's death occurred seven months later. The busi-
ness lagged, and it was not until May, 1822, that the
Trustees decided to take the Collection, according to
a valuation which was forthwith to be made ; excepting
the alabaster tomb, on account of the high price put upon

1 " Life-like sitting figure in marble, from Carnac, a perfect imitation
of nature ; the seat covered with hieroglyphics." — H. Salt.

FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL 287

it by Belzoni. This last precious item was brought by
Sir John Soane. It remains one of the most treasured
objects at his house in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Sir Benjamin Brodie, President of the Royal Society
in 1858, was another of the younger men associated with
the veteran Banks. He was a pupil of Sir Everard Home,
through whose friendship he was introduced at Soho
Square ; and presently attracted Banks 's notice as a
diligent student in chemistry and anatomy. He became
a F.R.S. in 1810. The Copley medal was awarded him in
the following year.

In his autobiography, Brodie offers some personal
recollections of Sir Joseph Banks : "He invited me
to the meetings which were held in his library on the
Sunday evenings which intervened between the meetings
of the Royal Society. These were of a very different
kind from those larger assemblies which were held three
or four times in the season by the Duke of Sussex, the
Marquis of Northampton, and Lord Rosse, and they
were much more useful. There was no crowding together
of noblemen and philosophers and would-be philosophers,
nor any kind of magnificent display. The visitors con-
sisted of those who were already distinguished by their
scientific reputation ; of some younger men who, like
myself, were following these greater persons at a humble
distance ; of a few individuals of high station who, though
not working men themselves, were regarded by Sir Joseph
as patrons of Science ; of such foreigners of distinction
as during the war were to be found in London ; and of
very few besides. Everything was conducted in the
plainest manner. Tea was handed round to the company,
and there were no other refreshments. But here were
to be seen the elder Herschel, Wilson the Sanscrit scholar,
Marsden, Major Rennell, Henry Cavendish, Home,
Barrow, Blagden, Abernethy, Carlisle, and others. . . .

288 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

His London residence was in Soho Square, there being
extensive premises behind his dwelling-house, which
contained his library and his botanical collections. The
former consisted chiefly of books on Natural History,
and the Transactions of learned Societies, and was
probably in these departments unrivalled in the world,
His principal librarian was a Swede, Jonas Dryander.
and under his superintendence the library was so well-
managed that, although books were lent to men of
science in the most liberal manner, I believe that not a
volume was ever lost. Dryander was indeed a pattern
as a librarian. The library over which he presided was
to him all in all. Without being a man of science himself,
he knew every book and the contents of every book in it.
If any one enquired of him where he might look for in-
formation on any particular subject, he would go first
to one shelf, then to another, and return with a bundle
of books under his arm containing the information which
was desired. Besides Dryander, there were two others
who acted as sub-librarians ; and Dr. Brown, the botanist,
who had the charge of the botanical collection. ... At
the time of which I am speaking, he might be seen daily in
Sir Joseph's library, dissecting plants, and accumulating
those stores of knowledge which have since gained for
him the reputation of being the first botanist and botani-
cal physiologist in the world, and the honour of being one
of the very limited number of foreign Associates of the
Academy of Sciences of Paris. . , .

". . . The attention which Sir Joseph Banks paid to
the affairs of the Royal Society was unremitting. He
was very much of an autocrat, but, like other successful
autocrats, he maintained his authority by consulting
the feelings and opinions of others, and no one com-
plained of it. There is no doubt that his ample fortune,
and his devotion of it to purposes of natural science, made
his task more easy than it would have been otherwise.

FAILING HEALTH, BUT UNFLAGGING ZEAL 289

Still, he could not have accomplished what he did if
he had not possessed a great knowledge of human nature.
. . . On the whole, it is difficult to conceive that any one
could perform his duties of the Royal Society in a manner
more honourable to himself, or more beneficial to the
community, than that in which they were performed by
Sir Joseph Banks." *

1 Sir Benjamin C. Brodie : Autobiography, pp. 67-74.

CHAPTER XIX
SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS

ONE of the closest friends of Banks was William
Marsden, the orientalist, some ten years his
junior, and F.R.S. in 1783. Marsden was
in the service of the East India Company,
in the island of Sumatra, from 1771-9. He was a man
who could never be idle. He studied everything that
came before his notice, including the difficult Malay
tongue, and the people and resources of Sumatra. He
was really happy in Sumatra ; but news came to him of
the attention paid to travellers, and the spirit of curiosity
excited, among the learned classes at home. The publica-
tion of Cook's voyages quite aroused him. In his own
words, " the contemplation of these circumstances raised
in my breast a longing desire to be allowed the oppor-
tunity of associating with such men, and to become a
participator in their liberal pursuits." At first his plan
was to devote himself to the literary life, satisfied with his
small income. But he found it would suit him better to
have a really active life, if he were to take the place in the
world that he coveted, and became an East India Agent,
with head-quarters in Gower Street. In 1781 he was
offered an introduction to Sir Joseph Banks (by Captain
Thomas Forrest, noted for his voyage to New Guinea).

" On March i I made my appearance at his^breakfast
table, where I found an assemblage of about a dozen
persons eminent in Science and different branches of
knowledge. Among them were Dr. Solander, Dr. Mas-

290

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 291

kelyne, Mr. Dalrymple, Major Rennell, Dr. Blagden,
Dr. Herschell, Mr. Plant a, and others. My reception
was so kind and encouraging as to remove at once all
feeling of constraint or sense of my own inferiority ;
and I was led to take an active part in a conversation,
to me of an interesting nature. . . . My desire of furnish-
ing some account of the island in which I had resided
was strongly encouraged — Sumatra being, as they ob-
served, of all accessible places in the world, that which
was least known. After taking leave, I received from the
President a cordial invitation to meet him and his
friends whenever it might suit my convenience, and to
make free use of his books either in the library or at
home. Until 1795, when I ceased to have the command
of my own time, the rooms in Soho Square were my
habitual place of resort, where I met a variety of persons,
and acquired information of what was going forward
in the world of Literature and Science."

Marsden's History of Sumatra was published in 1782.
This book gave him a reputation which adheres to his
name to this very day. It established his position in the
society he had chosen, and gave him credit for a general
ability which ultimately found resource in official life.
In 1795 he entered the Board of Admiralty and later
became Principal Secretary, until ill-health obliged him
to resign his post in 1807. For another quarter of a
century Mr. Marsden led a life of quiet happiness, one of
the leaders of cultured society. His association with Sir
Joseph Banks was of the closest and most friendly
character, as is evidenced by the flying short epistles
to one another on all conceivable topics. Often was
Marsden requested to take Banks's vacant place at the
Royal Society.

The successor of Marsden as Secretary to the Board of
Admiralty was John Barrow, another product of that
stirring Age ; when rewards of the highest distinction

292 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

came to men who knew how to seize the peculiar ad-
vantages which it offered to serious intelligence and
industry. Barrow began life in a modest way as a clerk ;
went to sea in a Greenland whaler ; taught mathematics
at Woolwich ; was " discovered " by Sir George L.
Staunton, who took him into China in the suite of Lord
Macartney ; and had two years as his Lordship's private
secretary at the Cape of Good Hope. All Barrow's
leisured time, wherever he happened to be, was devoted
to scientific and literary inquiry. He was an excellent
botanist and geographer. When he was appointed to the
second secretaryship of the Admiralty, in 1804, he had
drawn the public notice by a published account of his
travels in South Africa, and by his appearance in Society
as a young man of varied attainments and general
promise. He became a F.R.S. in 1806.

When Barrow became acquainted with Sir Joseph is
not clear. Probably soon after his coming to London,
through Sir George L. Staunton. It was not long before
they were the best of friends. They had most ideas in
common ; and Barrow was exactly the style of young
man likely to commend himself to Banks. His official
post brought them necessarily into communication ;
and, as he held that post for about forty years, while he
continued to hold a prominent place in the learned and
scientific world, Barrow's recollections of his old friend
may be read with great point and authority :l

" A similarity of tastes, my having been also a traveller,
and my unfeigned respect for his character, soon estab-
lished for me an intimacy with Sir Joseph Banks ;
who invited me, with more than common cordiality,
to join his Sunday evening conversations at his house in
Soho Square. This intimacy continued without in-
terruption to the last days of his life. ..."

1 v. Sketches of the Royal Society and the Royal Society Club (London,
1849).

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 293

[About 1815 he proposed to Barrow to be on the
Council of the Royal Society. He was forthwith elected
at the session of that year.]

"... When he became President, the general reputa-
tion in which Mr. Banks was held : the fame of his
voyages, his wealth, and his liberal and courteous recep-
tion of all, and more especially of foreign visitors, gave
him an extensive social influence, and made his house an
agreeable centre of the literary world. In truth, the
Chair of the Royal Society does not require to be per-
petually and exclusively rilled by men of science, or by
persons elevated in any one particular department of
Science. The President should be conversant in general
knowledge, especially in knowledge of the world, courteous
and agreeable in his manners and conversation, ready to
oblige and to forward to the best of his power the objects
brought to the consideration of the Society ; in short,
to follow the example of Sir Joseph Banks, in promoting
intercourse among the members at certain fixed times
set apart for that purpose. . . ."

" I think Sir Humphry Davy has not done justice to
Banks in the character which he has drawn : ' a tolerable
botanist,' ' a lover of gross flattery/ ' a house like a
Court/ are expressions in my opinion unfounded and
unjust."

" In spite of his physical infirmities, Banks was rarely
compelled to forego appearing at his Sunday evening
assemblies. Every new discovery in the range of Natural
History, every new and ingenious specimen of art, every
curious and useful invention was sure at some one or
other of these meetings, to be exhibited. ... Sir Joseph's
house was itself a repository of arts, science, and litera-
ture. I had a general invitation to Spring Grove, con-
sisting of woods and a small garden laid out with orna-
mental shrubs and flower-beds, and neatly kept under the
inspection of Lady and Miss Banks. The ladies were

294 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

most agreeable companions, and Sir Joseph was cheerful
and much at his ease, which was not always the case
when in town."

Barrow's writings on the great voyagers were of high
interest to Banks. Sir Joseph writes : " You must come
and dine with us some day to meet old Scoresby, the
celebrated whale-fisher, who has given me more informa-
tion about the ice in those regions than any other I have
conversed with." Barrow had the satisfaction of filling
this engagement to meet Captain Scoresby.1 He was
ardent to co-operate with Banks in promoting Captain
Parry's voyage to the Arctic Seas. As to Geographical
research generally, the mantle of Banks was now being
shifted to the shoulders of Barrow, who, some few years
later, took a leading part in the founding of the Royal
Geographical Society.

The faithful Barrow's personal attention to Banks
in these latest years was almost filial. He was Banks's
right-hand man in the various scientific duties which
continued in operation until the very last. The affec-
tionate references to him which have just been quoted are
the very best testimony to Banks's power to attract such
men.

William Jackson Hooker was a rather notable acquisi-
tion to Banks's coterie during his later years. Their
friendship appears to have begun about the year 1806.
But as Hooker lived at Halesworth, partner in a brewery
concern, he could not be part of the London circle of
naturalists. The excursion to Iceland brought him very
closely in association with Banks. After this, they had
much in common as long as Banks lived.

When the Tour in Iceland was being prepared for the
printer, Banks lent him some memoranda (probably the

1 Scoresby speaks warmly of Banks's kindness and assistance ;
including the loan of valuable instruments for submarine work (Arctic
Regions, vol. I).

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 295

entire manuscript of his own Journal). The following
note is curious as indicating his reserve as to publicity in
some matters, especially arising from a consciousness of
his want of literary power. His perennial generosity
and readiness to help others is again very obvious.

" SOHO SQUARE, June 16, 1810.

"... The papers containing memoranda of some
matters I saw in Iceland you are welcome to use as
remembrances. But as I declined to publish them myself,
you will easily understand that I had no idea when I
put them into your hands of their being printed in my
name, or with any kind of reference to me. As far as they
may be useful to your own work they are entirely at your
service.''

Hooker protested that he could not see how to use
these notes without saying to whom he was indebted
for them. Whereupon Sir Joseph : " I see no objection
to your using any part of the information as coming
from me, when it is of a nature that renders the
disclosure of its source necessary. It will be the more
agreeable to me the more it is done in notes, where my
name must come forward."

Botany and Brewing turned out to be occupations
incompatible with one another, if great zeal was to be de-
voted to either. Hooker was not a good man of business ;
his love of botany kept him in thrall. He soon came
to have a longing for travel in the tropics. The fascina-
tions of plant-collecting seemed higher than those of
money-making. As soon as Sir Joseph Banks learnt
this inclination, he endeavoured to find for him an
opportunity for its indulgence. His other friends, gener-
ally, wished him to stay at home, where there was plenty
of work to be done in botany without his health being
endangered in malarious deserts.

296 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Dr. Horsfield was now home from Java and Sir Stam-
ford Raffles, keeper of the India House Museum, and
in touch with Sir Joseph. Hooker very soon had the
opportunity he wanted, with all the advantages of the
patronage of the Board of Trade and Sir Joseph Banks.
Arrangements had not proceeded far, however, when fresh
accounts of the horrible climate of some parts of Java,
and a reminder of the sad accounts of Cook and of Banks
himself, together with the renewed entreaties of his
parents, prevailed upon him to renounce his plans.

Sir Joseph was vexed at all this. He had been at some
trouble to arouse the authorities, through Lord Bathurst,
on the importance of the project, and to arrange that
Mr. Hooker should have good remuneration, and every
advantage in his favour. The tradition is that he used
very ungracious language to Hooker. There is one
memorial of the affair1 which seems to represent Banks's
last endeavour to have his own way ; for that is what it
comes to. He was now never thwarted by anybody,
and was getting more irascible every year at the mere
breath of such a thing. The letter now presented is too
sarcastic for the occasion, but Banks's remonstrance
shows plainly that it was a subdued exhibition of anger.

Sir Joseph Banks to W. J. Hooker.

" SPRING GROVE, June 19, 1813.

"Mv DEAR SIR, — Though I really cannot think it possible
that your relatives and friends in Norfolk can consider
an island half as large as England to be of a deadly and
unwholesome nature because one town upon it is notori-
ously so, I see their objections are urged with so much
determination and eagerness that I am far indeed from
advising you to despise them. I have, however, no

1 Preserved among the Hooker correspondence at Kew.

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 297

doubt that arguments or injunctions equally strong will
be urged by them if you attempt to extend your views
further than the exhausted Azores, originally scarce
worth the notice of a Botanist and now almost entirely
transferred to Kew Gardens by the indefatigable Masson.

" From the complexion of all that has passed of late
in the conduct of your friends, I have no doubt that they
wish to force you to adopt the advice of Sardanapalus :
to eat, drink, and propagate. How you will like to be
married and settled in the country, as Joe Miller wish'd
the dog had been who flew at him and bit him, I know
not ; but that this fate is prepared for you somewhat
earlier than the natural period of renouncing an active
life is a matter of which I have no doubt. But, pressed as
you are, I advise you to submit and sacrifice if you can
your wish for travelling to the importunities of those who
think they can guide you, to a more serene, quiet, calm,
sober mode of slumbering away life, than that you pro-
posed for yourself.

" Let me hear from you how you feel inclined to
prefer ease and indulgence to hardship and activity.
I was about twenty-three when I began my peregrinations.
You are somewhat older ; but you may be assured that
if I had listened to a multitude of voices that were raised
to dissuade me from my enterprise, I should have been
now a quiet country gentleman ignorant of a number of
matters I am now acquainted with, and probably have
attained to no higher rank in life than that of country
Justice of the Peace."

But there was no permanent ill-humour between these
two worthy men. Hooker was but twenty-eight years of
age, and the most promising of the younger botanists.
He was a regular visitor at Spring Grove, when he was in
town ; just the man to attract Banks. Amiable and
intelligent, and an athlete over six feet in stature, his

298 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

personal qualities were significant of one who would
make his mark in the world.

One day, at Banks's house, he met Dr. Abel, together
with Thomas Manning, safely returned from his adventure
in China and Tibet. The delights of this rencontre may be
imagined. But Hooker had given up longing for such
examples to copy. He had found abundance of material
for study at home, and his first grand monograph, The
British Jungermannice, had given him a reputation.
About this time the brewery business was given up;
and he asked Sir Joseph Banks if there was likely to be
any botanical appointment within reach, by which he
could improve his income. Banks promptly told him
that the Professorship of Botany at Glasgow University
was vacant, and he was prepared to use what influence he
possessed to obtain it for him.1 He told him there was a
noble Botanical Garden at Glasgow, well endowed both
by the University and the City, " toward the development
of which Kew would place all its resources." Hooker
accordingly went to Glasgow, and remained there with
well-earned distinction for twenty years. In 1840 he
accepted the Directorship of the Botanic Gardens at Kew,
and held it till his death in 1865. He was knighted in
1836.

The ideal Director for Kew Gardens was found in
W. J. Hooker. He entered upon his duties to find " an
ill-kept garden of some eleven acres, with a few tumble-
down houses." It was being neglected. There was even
talk of abandoning the Institution altogether. The
energy and the taste of the new Director speedily trans-
formed its appearance and raised its value. At the time
of his death the premises occupied two hundred and fifty
acres. The Palm-House and the Temperate House were
erected, together with three Museums. Beside all this,
a separate building was provided for the Herbarium,

1 v. notice of Sir W. J. Hooker, in Annals of Botany, vol. XVI.

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 299

and a botanical library in connection with it. This was
all a fitting result to the succession of Banks's latest dis-
ciple. His powers of organization, his entire mastery of
botanical science, and his ability to deal with mankind,
were universally acknowledged. More than this, his per-
sonality was charming. The eulogium of Asa Gray is
everything that one might wish for from his fellow-men :
" Of pleasing address, frank, cordial, and of a very genial
disposition. . . . None knew him but to love him,
none named him but to praise. ... A model Christian
gentleman." 1

Hooker's house at Halesworth attracted a number of
cultured people, especially those with a turn for botany.
It was in close touch with James Edward Smith and the
Norwich people.

One day, in 1816, Monsieur De Candolle appeared upon
the scene, and spent several days at Halesworth, which
were, he says, exceedingly agreeable. Young John Lindley
was there at the time as a pupil of Hooker. De Candolle
took home with him the best recollection of England and
her scientific men. His intercourse with Banks is best
described in his own words :

" Dr. Marcet me conduisit le matin chez Sir Joseph
Banks. C'etait le but de mon voyage, et sa maison a ete
celle ou j 'ai passe presque tout mon temps. Ce respectable

1 If Sir William Hooker rescued Kew Gardens from neglect and
oblivion, it remained with his distinguished son and successor to bring
the institution to its present position of utility and grandeur. Sir
Joseph Hooker was born at Halesworth, in June, 1817. After several
years of travel, in company with the expedition of Captain J. C. Ross
to Australasia and the Antarctic Islands, he spent several years in
India, enriching botanical science with profuse details of the Himalayan
and Indian floras. He joined his father at Kew, became Assistant-
Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, and succeeded to the Director-
ship in 1855. Since his retirement from the post in 1885 he has
always been in touch with Kew. As late as the summer of 1910, this
Grand Old Man of science was still to be seen at the Herbarium on
botanical research. This in his ninety-fourth year ! Sir Joseph was
President of the Royal Society 1873-8.

300 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

vieillard, alors perclus par les suite de la goutte, se
faisait rouler dans une fauteuil jusqu'a Tune des salles de
son Herbier, ou les habitues venaient causer avec lui.
J'e*tais malheureusement mal place sur ce rapport, par
mon ignorance de 1'Anglais. M. Banks ne parlait pas
francais, de sorte que nous e*tions reduits a nous dire
quelques mots isoles, ou a nous servir d'interpr6tes.
Malgre* cette contrariete, je puis dire que j'etais assez
bien avec lui. II m 'in vita a sa jolie campagne de Spring
Grove, a ses soirees du Dimanche. ... II mit son Herbier
et sa bibliotheque a ma disposition. . . . Je venais
chaque matin travailler de dix a quatre heures, et outre
les ressources immenses que me presentait ce musee
botanique, j'en profitai beaucoup pour connaitre les
botanistes anglais qui s'y rencontraient frdquemment."

To complete this picture, it should be mentioned that
Robert Brown was the rival of De Candolle as " the
first botanist of Europe." They were very happy together
in Banks 's house.

Humphry Davy was one of the new generation which
clustered round Banks in his later years. He was often
to be seen in association with the President, who had been
one of the first to detect Davy's signal merit. He made
his appearance as a lecturer at the Royal Institution at
a very early date, and doubtless contributed to the
success of that body.

Davy left behind him a notice of Banks, very freely
drawn : not ill-naturedly, but alluding to certain defects
which others had noticed with some disposition to
caricature. " He was a good-humoured and liberal
man, free and various in conversational power, a tolerable
botanist, and generally acquainted with Natural History.
He had not much reading, and no profound information.
He was always ready to promote the objects of men of

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 301

science, but he required to be regarded as a patron, and
readily swallowed gross flattery. When he gave anecdotes
of his voyages he was very entertaining and unaffected.
A courtier in character, he was a warm friend to a good
King. In his relations to the Royal Society he was too
personal, and made his house a circle too like a Court/1

Some of these statements might with justice be dis-
puted ; but controversy is needless upon the subject.

After a temporary chairmanship of the Royal Society
by Dr. Wollaston, Davy succeeded to the Presidential
seat, and held it until 1827. He found it incumbent upon
him, like his predecessor, to keep up some appearance
of State, and occupied the chair in full Court-dress.
He continued Banks's practice in weekly receptions,
changing the evening from Sunday to Saturday. " He
had to put up with the annoyances caused by hurting
the feelings of rejected Fellows."1

According to Dr. Paris, Sir Humphry Davy " sought
for the homage due to patrician distinction/' and thereby
incurred some unpopularity.2

Of other rising young men who enjoyed Banks's inti-
macy near the end of his life, several should be mentioned
who afterward rose to great distinction.

William Edward Parry was introduced to Banks in the
year 1818, by his friend Barrow. The young Lieutenant
availed himself gratefully of the opportunities thus
offered, by making free use of Banks's library, and attend-
ing his social functions. These, he remarks, were " not
like those of fashionable life, but given from a real desire
to do everything which could, in the smallest degree,
tend to the advancement of every branch of science."

Charles Waterton speaks very highly of Banks's
attentions to him, and his appreciation of Waterton 's
services to Natural History. Some portions of his manu-

1 v. Memoir by his brother Dr. John Davy.
8 Life, by Dr. J. A. Paris.

302 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

script journal were made of use to the Tuckey Congo
Expedition.

Waterton's final allusion to Banks is an echo of the
popular opinion of his time. " Death robbed England
of one of her most valuable subjects, and deprived the
Royal Society of its brightest ornament."1

William Buckland (afterward Dean of Westminster),
with his friend William Conybeare (fellow-geologist
and afterward Dean of Llandaff), became much attached
to Banks in his old age. Conybeare was one of the earlier
members of the Geological Society and F.R.S. in 1819.
Buckland had joined the Royal Society the previous
year. He had already shown great promise of his future
distinction in science, and was excellent company for
Banks. After the latter 's death he planted at Christ-
church and at Islip a quantity of Rosa Banksice,2 as a
token of regard for his memory.3

Henry Brougham had been a friend of Banks from his
youth. He joined the Royal Society in 1803. He always
had a smattering of science, but he was not a devotee
of anything but his own self-advancement. As early as
December, 1800, he was " disgusted with " the legal
profession, and was " resolved to attempt an opening in
the political line " ; and begs that Banks will remember
him if a chance opens for him. When the Edinburgh
Review began to startle the world, Banks appears to
have taken exception to its tone ; and, besides, pointed
out some inaccuracies in the critical references to the
African Association and other matters in which he was
interested. Brougham replied to this in apologetic vein ;

1 v. Pref. to Wanderings.

* Or Lady Banks Rose, so named by Robert Brown ; originally
sent^from Canton in 1807 by William Kerr.

8^In Buckland's Life there is inserted a sketch of his own, of Banks's
library : with the helpless old gentleman propped up in a deep chair ;
Brown is at the shelves, Buckland and Conybeare are bidding adieu.
With a little idealization, it would make a capital subject for a portrait
picture.

SOME FRIENDS OF LATER YEARS 303

but the Edinburgh was selling splendidly ("the first edition
in 5 days, the second going off rapidly "), and Brougham
was already in full sail upon what turned out to be a
really memorable career. Henceforth, there was a
distinct gulf between them on public matters ; but
not wide enough to break their friendship.

Brougham's memorial of his old friend, in the form
of an essay upon his life and doings and his services to
the country, is proof of the very high regard and affection
he had for Banks. Apart from the necessary rhetoric,
its pages breathe the truest personal sentiment toward
him, while they record the achievements of " a life
devoted to the love of wisdom."

CHAPTER XX
"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN"

Sir Joseph Banks to Sir Everard Home.

" SPRING GROVE, September 24, 1817.

YOUR permission to visit Lincolnshire this
autumn gives me spirits to undertake the
journey. I felt something so near the neces-
sity of going, that it would have been a want
of courage to decline it, — which my countrymen would
have censured, had I passed the autumn without a
return of my last year's complaint. I have arranged
my journey with very short stages ; none so much as
forty miles a day, and on three of the four days I must
spend on the road I shall be received at the houses of
my friends. ... On Sunday I start, and stop the night
at Lord Salisbury's at Hatfield. The first week in
November brings me back, so that in truth I shall have
little time to grow worse. I expect every minute the
arrival of the Queen and Princesses from Windsor, who
have promised me the honour of a visit this day."

When Banks wrote this letter, he was recovering from
an attack of gout. Sir Everard was himself an invalid,
with threats of the same tiresome complaint as his friend.
Banks evidently meant to go to Revesby once more. It
turned out to be the very last time he was able to do so.
He writes to Home on October 5, having just arrived :

" Our journey was very slow, not more than thirty-five

304

" A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN " 305

miles a day, and we lodged three nights out of four at
gentlemen's houses. I bore it without inconvenience,
and am here as well at least as I was at Spring Grove.
My ladies, who are both rather crazy, approve much of
this leisurely mode of travelling. We shall therefore
return in the same manner as we came ; and, I trust,
dine in Soho Square on the Wednesday before the Society
meets.

" Give my love to my god-son, and thank him for
his kindness in writing to me so frequently when I was
anxious on your account ^In his last letter he apologizes
for its not being longer, although it fills a page and a half.
Pray assure him that the shorter a letter is which com-
municates what is to be transmitted, the better both
for the writer and the reader. Women who have little
to do scold each other for shortness in letters. Men who

have anything to do know the value of brevity."

It would be unsatisfactory to close this history without
at least a peep behind the scenes at Revesby Abbey.
The tale would lack an important feature if Banks's
doings as a country squire were entirely obscure. He was
a thorough County man, experiencing to the full all the
delights which belong to rural business and rural plea-
sures. His home life at Revesby exemplified the character
in the famous old song :

" Of a fine old English gentleman

Who had an old estate,
And who kept up his old mansion
At a bountiful old rate. . . ."

The house at Revesby was a large, square, uniform build-
ing, dating from the latter part of the seventeenth cen-
tury ; not altogether attractive in its somewhat cumbrous
shape, but capacious and comfortable. The park, given
over to sheep, cattle, and deer, situated on the last slope

306 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

at the southern extremity of the Wolds, gave to the house
a grand view of wood and the illimitable pastures of the
fen-land. The pretty village, ranged on two sides of an
unusually spacious green, was famous for its cricket-
matches ; and for a yearly Fair which drew the country-
folk in great numbers from villages near and distant.
The parish church was in the classic or Italian style,
dating from I735.1

Sir Joseph Banks really loved his country home. From
August to the end of October in every year he revelled
in farming and gardening, and in country pursuits and
pleasures. He always attended the village Fair, and
with some state ; bringing with him a lively house-party.
The Squire would drive round and round again, accom-
panied by his Lady, buying generously at the booths,
and distributing his purchases among the visitors who
flocked thither in their hundreds. This was one of the
most popular Fairs in the county. At Revesby it was
a day of real old-fashioned festivity, when Mummers and
Morris dancers vied with up-to-date entertainers in
making the most of a joyous day.

Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. Tyssen.

" LINCOLN, September n, 1805.

" MY DEAR SIR, — The ladies beg me to assure you and
your sister that we shall be happy to see you both at
Revesby at the time you have appointed ; and we all
hope that you will manage your affairs so as to let us
have as much of your company as you can spare, . . .
The town is full of gaieties here. We have two Races and
an Assembly for every day, and gentlemen who ride their

1 A handsome new Decorated church was built by the Rt. Hon.
Edward Stanhope, in 1891. The old mansion was destroyed, and the
present fine Elizabethan building raised in its place by Mr. J. Banks
Stanhope, in 1849.

" A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN " 307

own horses ; the whole to end in a grand breakfast and
ball on Saturday at Lord Monson's, four miles off. We
should have been glad to have the pleasure of your
sister's company to partake of these festivities, which
suit the ladies so much better than they do either you
or me. Give me a line to tell me whether I can be of any
use to you by ordering horses at Boston, or sending my
chaise. . . ."

Among the house amusements at Revesby few were
in such favour as Archery. While Banks was vigorous
enough to take part in it, he maintained a very high level
in the scoring. His sister was not far in arrear as an
accomplished toxophilite. Mistress Banks kept the score
for a long series of years. The cards, in her beautifully
clear handwriting, are now preserved in the British
Museum,1

Angling was another enjoyment of Banks's leisure,
which he had practised from his earliest years. The
time came when that leisure was encroached upon ; but
he could sometimes snatch a few days for sport. He tells
Sir William Hamilton of his doings at home. On one
occasion he writes : "I am here buried among sheep,
wool, etc. ; so much that my favourite amusements of
fishing and shooting surround me and I scarce ever taste
them. ..." Again he says : " We drew ten miles of
fresh water, and in four days caught seventeen hundred-
weight of fish ; dining always from twenty to thirty
masters and mistresses, with servants and attendants,
on the fish we had caught, dressed at fires made on the
bank ; and when we had done we had not ten pound of
fish left." 2

1 Addl. MSS., 34721.

2 Arthur Young has a note of Banks's piscatorial feats. "... I
found these fishing-parties, which lasted over four days, spoken of by
many persons with great pleasure. Miss Banks has kept a particular
journal of these piscatory excursions, which is decorated with many

308 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

A great feature of Revesby life was the garden. Here
were undertaken many of Sir Joseph's planting experi-
ments ; and here were deposited a vast number of the
curious and elegant exotics which constantly found their
way into his hands. To this day the garden of Revesby
Abbey is a paradise. Beautiful trees from every country
on the globe, flowers of infinite variety, meet the eye
at every turn. The scene is one that could only have
been devised and perfected by consummate taste, allied
to a thorough knowledge of the resources of floral gran-
deur.

Several hundred deer were kept in the park. Banks
was once induced to compute the profits accruing from
deer-keeping, and found himself usually a gainer. The
large area of 340 acres supported numbers of sheep and
cattle besides. The spacious adjacent fen-lands were
undergoing, in Banks's time, a continuous process of
enclosure ; and these became famous grazing lands.
During the active part of his lifetime the entire county
was fired by his example, both as landlord and agricul-
turist. His advice and his opinions, on crops, and stock,
and farming generally, were eagerly sought.1

Banks had been long associated with Sir John Sinclair
and Mr. Arthur Young in the improvement of agricul-
tural methods. Young was wonderfully helped by really
competent persons. The hospitality of the best houses
all over the country was opened to him.

Sir Joseph Banks was soon hand-in-hand with Arthur

drawings. She had the goodness to favour me with the following
totals :—

In 1788, 1764 Ibs. In 1791, 842 Ibs. In 1794, 1366 Ibs.

„ 1789. 693 „ ,, 1792, 1410 „ „ 1795, 2567 ,,

., 1790,1711 „ ,, 1793,2644 ,, ,, 1796,1562 „

In Sir Joseph Banks's kitchen is the picture of a pike that weighed

thirty-one pounds, which was thirteen years old." (Agricultural Survey

of Lincolnshire, p. 395.)

1 "... We are grown proud of heart. ... I never saw my neigh-
bours in so high spirits. The Fens are drained and peopled, and agri-
cultural industry is active among us " (Banks to Marsden, 4 Oct., 1810).

"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" T3o9

Young. A bulky collection of letters 1 testifies to the
intimacy of their intercourse, and to the zeal with which
Banks could escape from the multiplicity of other in-
terests, to thoughts about Wool and Sheep. At this
time (1786-7) legislation on the exportation of wool was
impending. But for several years past there had been
much experiment and inquiry on the improvement of
breeds of sheep, in which Banks had taken some part,
and he had become a capable authority. Hence, the
President of the Royal Society had one more responsi-
bility thrown upon his shoulders ; and it appears, from
every quarter, that he came to have a very well-deserved
reputation for a practical judgment on rural affairs.

In the course of his tours in England and Ireland,
Arthur Young visited all the best estates ; and, in process
of time, gave to the public an ample record of his ex-
periences. Of the County Surveys, which were prepared
under his superintendence, that for Lincolnshire is fortu-
nately by his own hand,2 since we are enabled to get into
actual touch with Sir Joseph's own estate.

Those were, indeed, palmy days for Agriculture. It
was estimated that about half of Banks's property in
Lincolnshire brought in rentals amounting to £5721, from
268 tenants. In the manor of Revesby there were 62
farms for the rental of £1397, upon 3401 acres. " This
vast division of farms arises from a determination in Sir
Joseph Banks not to distress the people by throwing them
together, by which he loses much in rental, and sees a
property ill-cultivated ; and which must be the case till
by deaths he can gradually but very slowly improve it.
. . . Sir Joseph has no objection to granting leases, but
he is never asked for them. Seeing a tenant improving his

1 Addl. MSS., 35126-31.

2 The [British Museum copy (988, g. 9) was formerly in Banks's
library ; presented by the author with his " respectful gratitude for so
much valuable information relative to Lincolnshire as contributed very
materially to the facts contained in this work."

3io THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

land by hollow draining, he gave him a lease of twenty-one
years, as a reward and an encouragement." 1

During the year 1787-8, there was a lively intercourse
between Banks and Young ; arising from proposed legis-
lation on the subject of Wool. The manufacturers were
making a vigorous attack on the growers of wool. A
Bill was brought into Parliament, prohibiting its export
and placing unwelcome restrictions on its sale with a
view to hinder its being smuggled into France. The
great proprietors were naturally up in arms at this
appearance of an attack on the landed interest. A repre-
sentative Committee was formed to oppose the Bill, by
deputation from the counties. Lincoln sent up Sir
Joseph Banks, and Suffolk Mr. Arthur Young. By a
good deal of energy and plain-speaking this committee
secured some modification of the features of the Bill. But
it passed into law (May, 1788).

Sir Joseph Banks to Arthur Young.

" SOHO SQUARE, May 13, 1788.

". . . I give you joy sincerely at the glory of being
burned in effigy. Nothing is so conclusive a proof of
your possessing the best of the argument. No one was
ever burned if he was in the wrong . . . when argument
is precluded firebrands are ready substitutes."

At the beginning of the nineteenth century there were
more sheep, and better sheep, in Lincolnshire than in any
county in England. The breed was reckoned to produce
the very best wool, a circumstance due to the introduction
of merinos. In point of fact, the whole countryside was
raised in value by the experiments and improvements of
recent years, to which Sir Joseph Banks had given his

1 Young : Agriculture of Lincolnshire (London, 1799).

" A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN " 311

untiring attention. The following strong sentence from
a letter of Lord Liverpool speaks volumes for the reputa-
tion which Banks's zeal had shed abroad among people
able to gauge its worth :

(October 25, 1804.) "... I rejoice to find that you are
able to attend the business of your county in cases where
your advice and influence are of so ^ much importance.
The great prices at which the lands brought^into culti-
vation by measures which you recommendedjhave sold,
are a proof of the value of those lands, of the wealth of the
county, and of the wisdom of the means employed for
enclosing, draining, and otherwise improving them. . . ."*•

It was about the year 1787 when George III took into
consideration the improvement of the breed of sheep.
He gave orders for the importation of a small flock of
Spanish merinos, and became an attentive observer of
breeding operations. With the help of Sir Joseph Banks,
his farm near Windsor was managed on the improved
principles then coming into vogue. After a dozen years
or so the movement took very large proportions. By
sale, and by personal gift, the new breed (of Spanish
with the best British) was getting represented everywhere
in Great Britain. After 1804, an annual sale of the King's
flocks was held at Windsor, when prices ruled very high.

1 An excellent account of the reclamation of the adjacent fen-land is
given by Smiles in his Life of John Rennie. Of Sir Joseph and his ener-
getic share in the project he writes very warmly. " Farther : he was a
popular and well-known man, jolly and good-humoured, full of public
spirit ; and, though a philosopher, not above taking part in the sports
and festivities of the neighbourhood in which he resided. . . . From an
early period Sir Joseph Banks entertained the design of carrying out the
drainage of the extensive fen-lands lying spread out beneath his hall
window ; and making them if possible a source of profit to the owners,
as well as of greater comfort and better subsistence for the population.
The reclamation of these unhealthy wastes became quite a hobby with
him ; and when he could lay hold of any agricultural improver, he
would not let him go until he had dragged him through the Fens,
exhibited what they were, and demonstrated what fertile lands they
might be made. . . . His county neighbours were very slow to act, but
they gradually became infected by his example, and his irresistible
energy carried them along with him."

312 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

The interest in this affair never flagged while George III
was able to have a personal share in it.

When the King's last illness was confirmed, Sir Joseph
began to relinquish his own occupation as a farmer. It
is easy to understand that he was now become out of
touch with it, now that the King was no longer in touch
with him. After so long a period of collaboration in utili-
tarian matters of all sorts, it is not unlikely that life was
losing one of its first incitements. Yet, Banks's wonder-
ful natural energy prevailed. In some respects, the years
of his life after the sixtieth were not less devotedly at his
country's service, and hardly less efficient ; as we have
seen. For one thing, the improvement of sheep appears
not to have reached anything like finality. It must needs
go on. He could not cease to be a farmer, after all.
Some time in 1811 a Merino Society was started in London,
with Sir Joseph as President. How long it lasted is not
easy to say. But for two or three years Reports of its
doings were issued to the public.

The number of local interests in which Banks had
a share is astonishing. He devoted himself to Lincoln-
shire while he was at home. The Fens were drained, a
process extending over many years. The Horncastle
Canal was constructed ; the Witham navigation was
improved ; Boston harbour was deepened and renovated,
and brought into line with the needs of a busy port. At
Louth a woollen manufactory was established, with the
view of utilizing Lincolnshire wool only. In fact, the
whole county felt the influence of Banks's energy and his
liberal views concerning the public weal. As all this
went on for a period of nearly sixty years, the people
of Lincolnshire had an unusual regard for their leading
Squire, and held his name in veneration long after his
death. Happily, his successors at Revesby have kept up
the tradition of his good work.

The people of Horncastle keep his memory green.

" A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN " 313

Banks 's estates included this parish ; and, along with
Revesby and the surrounding villages, rejoiced in their
connection with a model landlord. The Public Dispen-
sary in the town was established in 1789 with Banks's
liberal aid. He was made President of the Institution,
and the value of his support was more than once acknow-
ledged in its minutes. In point of fact, Banks was be-
loved at Horncastle and everywhere around. One of the
anniversary meetings of this Dispensary (1813) was
actually postponed because his health at the moment
prevented his personal attendance.

Banks had also friends and associations at Spalding.
Even such a matter as the remuneration of the post-
mistress there is referred to him. He was a member of the
Spalding Gentlemen's Society as far back as 1768, and
several times gave books to the library. At Boston,
various public improvements were carried through under
his patronage. There is a fine portrait of Banks (by
T. Phillips) in the Guildhall, which was presented by him
when he became Recorder of the borough in 1804. The
people of Boston made more than one endeavour to in-
duce Sir Joseph to stand as their representative in Parlia-
ment, but without avail. It was useless to tempt him in
that direction. Looking backward upon his record, one
cannot but agree in the wisdom of this decision.

Sir Joseph's attachment to his own county is further
signalized by the assistance or the patronage of his neigh-
bours, when he could serve them. Captain Flinders, who
came from Dorrington, owed some of the notice he got
from the Admiralty to the fact that he was a " country-
man " of Banks. Young Franklin, born at Spilsby, and
a relative of Flinders, doubtless occupied a niche in the
mind of Banks due to the fact of *his coming from Lincoln-
shire. Among several instances of this spirit which could
be given, there is a pleasant one related by William Fowler,
an architect and builder of Winterton : " After a very

314 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

agreeable and familiar conversation he says to me, ' My
countryman, I will undertake your business for you, and
make the best enquiry I can. . . .' " x

Nor was Sir Joseph less zealous in archaeological studies
of his county. As far back as the year 1786 he was collect-
ing materials for a history of Lincolnshire. Dr. Hunter,
of York, appears to have been helping in the matter.
Richard Gough also was associated in the project. But
county histories are more easily talked of than accom-
plished ; and all that remains of this effort has got into
the custody of the British Museum. If, however, he
found this undertaking impossible with so many calls
upon his time and energies, he was always on the alert
if any relic of old times was unexpectedly revealed, or
some effort was to be made to preserve the precious
heritages of the past. A difference of opinion with the
Dean and Chapter of Lincoln supplies an amusing instance
of the heat which Banks could put into a question when
he felt strongly on the point at issue.

The twin spires which formerly surmounted the western
steeples of the Cathedral were demolished, in the year
1807, on the ground that the appearance of the building
would be thereby improved. There was a good deal of
local indignation over the matter. Naturally, one side
supported the Cathedral authorities ; the other side
deemed it an act of sacrilege. Sir Joseph proposed an
Association for the purpose of " compelling those persons "
to repair and restore the spires, if a sufficient fund could
be raised. He caused a small copper plate to be engraved,
of the Cathedral standing with two shadowy ghosts of
the departed spires. He further committed himself to

1 Notes on William Fowler (Hull, 1869). This Mr. Fowler was worth
notice. He made some fine drawings of mosaics and stained -glass
windows, which were submitted to the Society of Antiquaries. Banks
remarked of them, " Others have shewn us what they thought these
remains ought to be, but Fowler has shewn us what they are : and this is
what we want."

" A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN " 315

some doggerel verses, and had them printed for circula-
tion—

"Adieu, ye twin sisters, fair spires

By learn'd architects anciently rais'd," etc. etc.

He went also to the expense of legal opinion on the
matter, from Doctors' Commons. The result was dead
against the right of any inhabitant or landholder in the
diocese to question the discretion of the Dean and Chap-
ter, or to compel them to account for their proceedings.
So this agitation was speedily at an end.

Banks's lifelong connection with the Society of An-
tiquaries has been mentioned. Several communications
were made by him to the Society concerning local excava-
tions, and some instances of objects being unearthed by
accident.1 He was immediately interested by any dis-
covery of the kind, and made it his business to have it
properly recorded. One (unpublished) memorandum of
his own relates to the three barrows near Revesby village,
which had been noticed by Stukeley in Itineraria
Curiosa, but not closely examined. In October, 1780,
Banks employed two men to open one of these barrows.
The result showed that the heaps could not be very
ancient. At the depth of about eleven feet, were pieces
of a small twig, or switch, not yet decayed. He deposited
a stone before covering in again, bearing date 1780, so
as to certify to later explorers that it had been opened.

Two days later, some examination was made in the
neighbourhood of the Abbey ruins. As far as they went,
however, there was little to reward the labours of the ex-
plorers.

The remains, such as they are, of the ancient monastic
ruins, are just south of Revesby village, near the edge of
the great Fen. In 1811 there were existing " foundations
of walls, and a fragment two feet high of brick and stone,

1 v. Index to the first fifty volumes of Arch&ologia. . •

3i6 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

with loose stones here and there. ... On the south,
within the area, are mounds of earth, like barrows/' *
Of course, the materials of the Abbey buildings had gone
in the usual manner : the stones were utilized by the
second Joseph Banks, when rebuilding the parish church.
Banks's methodical habits were in active operation
at Revesby. Domestic matters appear to have been
ruled in the same spirit as his official concerns ; accounts
were kept, and records made, in a way creditable to the
best man-of-business. There are some scanty evidences,
in his papers, that he could always give a remote date,
or a price, or the gist of a conversation, with perfect
accuracy. Both at Soho Square, and at his Lincolnshire
home, books, papers, knick-knacks, curiosities, botanical
preparations, were kept in the most absolute order.2

The house of Spring Grove, in Heston, was taken by
Banks in the year 1779. There was a good old garden
then in existence ; with a strawberry-bed of seventy-five
feet in length, and corresponding amplitude for vegetables
and fruits sufficient for a well-kept house. The new occu-
pant soon developed it, upon the lines appropriate to an
importer of exotic plants ; and the garden became cele-

1 Gentleman's Magazine, 81, i. 19. In the year 1869 excavations were
made on this site by the Rev. Thomas Barker, incumbent of the parish.
v. Associated Arch&ological Societies' Journal, X, 22-25.

8 Thanks to Arthur Young (General View of the Agriculture of
Lincoln), we get one faint, but intelligible, glimpse inside Banks's house
at Revesby : " His office of two rooms is contained in the space of thirty
feet by sixteen. There is a bricked partition between, with an iron-
plated door, so that the room in which a fire is always burning might be
burned out without affecting the inner one. . . . Here were one hundred
and fifty-six drawers, each with inside measurement of thirteen inches
by ten, all of them numbered. . . . There is a catalogue of names and
subjects, and a list of every paper in every drawer ; so that whether
the enquiry concerned a man, or a drainage, or an enclosure, or a farm,
or a wood, the request was scarcely named before a mass of information
was before me. Fixed tables are before the windows (to the south) on
which to spread maps, plans, etc., commodiously. . . . Such an apart-
ment, and such apparatus, must be of incomparable use in the manage-
ment of any great estate, or indeed of any considerable business."

"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" 317

brated for its high culture and for its curious and beauti-
ful treasures from distant lands. The springtime brought
numerous visitors to this house, being the period between
Banks 's residence in London and the ruralizing at
Revesby. " Here he dined daily at four o'clock, in
order that his frequent visitors from London might have
ample time to return home in the evening. When the
weather permitted, his guests adjourned to have tea
and coffee under the cedars in the garden. In the inter-
mediate time it was not unusual to visit his hot-houses
and conservatories, under the auspices of his unmarried
sister, Miss Banks ; or the dairy, under the especial
care of Lady Banks, who was proud of displaying a
magnificent collection of old china-ware which was there
deposited." (B. C. Brodie, p. 74.)

When the Horticultural Society was set on foot, Sir
Joseph was thus prepared to assist materially in carrying
out its objects. Over twenty years of practical work and
experiment had made him a high authority in fruit and
flower culture ; and, as may be seen by the list of his
published contributions to the Horticultural Society's
Transactions, his knowledge and experience covered
a wide field. By this time, Spring Grove was become
famous for its horticultural wealth. Foreigners were
made welcome, and Banks's intimate friends were often
there by standing invitations.

Spring Grove is one of the pleasant places lost to the
present generation, through suburban encroachment. Our
picture of the house, as it appeared a century ago, sug-
gests a real adjacent " grove," and possibilities of a large
and roomy garden. The name is alleged by Banks to
come from an actual spring in the woods, from which a
water supply for the household was obtained ; and which
also fed a convenient pond, thence escaping to Smallberry
Green. The pond was the scene of various experiments.
One of these was the raising of the American Cranberry,

318 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

upon an artificial island ; a measure which met with
great success, no less than one hundred and forty bottles
of cranberries being the produce for 1813. Another was
the growing of Zizania aquatica, a singular grass used for
food by the Indians in Canada, from seeds imported in
1791. In a very few years' time this tender annual had
benefited by its acclimatization, and was become a hardy
and prolific plant, covering the pond quite thickly.1

It was in the improvement of apples, peaches, grapes,
figs that Sir Joseph was most successful. Strawberries
also were a great feature of Spring Grove : the original
three hundred and seventy-five square feet of strawberry
plants increased at last to five thousand six hundred and
forty-five feet. It was Banks that popularized the system
of mulching with straw, as above mentioned.

Many new importations of flowers are on record which
were planted first in Spring Grove. The Rosa Banksia
was sent by Wm. Kerr from China to Kew, and also to
Banks's garden, where it became a great favourite, and
much attention was paid to its cultivation. Isaac
Oldaker (Lady Banks's gardener) submitted it to the
Horticultural Society in 1820, remarking that " by care
it had been transferred from an insignificant green-
house plant into a hardy and splendid creeping shrub."

The Pseony was another triumph of these gardens. The
first came from China in 1789, and was cultivated at
Kew. In 1805 a splendid Double Scented Paeony (P.
albiflom fragrans) was received by Banks, and added to
the glories of Spring Grove.

The Hydrangea hortemis is understood to have been
seen in England as early as 1740 (Paxton, p. 293). When

1 " The ladies had a small pond stocked with gold-fish. One day
Lady Banks told me that Sir Joseph had a visit from two young
Americans. They were shewn round the grounds, and coming to the
edge of the pond, were asked if they had any fish of the kind in their
country. ' No, we have not,1 said one. The other said, ' They appear to
be a species of red-herring ; but I never heard of, and never saw till
now, a red-herring alive.' " — Barrow : Sketches, etc.

"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" 319

introduced to Kew Gardens in 1789 (at first a plant with
green petals which had flowered in the Custom House) it
was a surprise and delight to every botanist. Banks
made exhibition of it at his house in Soho Square, in the
presence of a numerous company. The Hydrangea was
carefully nurtured at Kew Gardens, established itself
well, and became the parent of a numerous progeny.

Several of Banks's friends, inspired by his example, im-
proved their gardens and built new hot-houses. One of
these was Charles Greville, the philandering nephew of
Sir William Hamilton, who had a fine garden at Padding-
ton Green. He proved a good horticulturist in his later
years, and helped in the importation of new exotics. Per-
haps the closest rival to Kew, early in the nineteenth
century, was the garden of Mrs. Joseph Marryat, at
Wimbledon.

The traditions of Spring Grove were worthily main-
tained during the remainder of Lady Banks's lifetime.

Mr. Thomas Andrew Knight was associated with Banks
in matters of horticulture. His brother Richard Payne
Knight, equally distinguished in other walks, as virtuoso,
collector, and arbiter in Ancient Art, was a particular
crony of Banks. They were neighbours in Soho Square,
and fellow - members of the Dilettanti Society. The
Board of Agriculture desiring answers to a set of queries
which were to be addressed to the best cultivators in the
country, relied on Sir Joseph for his counsel and assist-
ance. Upon Payne Knight being asked for the name of
one in his neighbourhood, he mentioned his brother as
more likely than any one else he knew capable of fulfilling
the object in view. In point of fact, T. A. Knight was a
pioneer. He anticipated Charles Darwin in assiduous
experiments in hybridization and fertilization. But he
lived a retired life, near Downton, in Herefordshire, far
from the madding crowd. It might have happened that
he would never have been heard of but for this timely

320 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

association with Sir Joseph Banks. However, from this
period (about 1791) their bond of friendship lasted as
long as they lived ; to their mutual esteem, and to the
steady progress of horticulture and fruit-farming. Knight
became a copious correspondent. Each letter is a long
and practical treatise ; and Banks must have sometimes
felt a strain upon his powers as a pupil if he were to
master the abounding details offered to him. But he
was himself completely in earnest in recognizing the
improvements necessary in fruit and flower culture ;
and it is evident from Knight's remarks that his corre-
spondent was following his steps closely, making the
matter his own, and repeating his experiments.

These two men were the mainstay of the young Horti-
cultural Society, Knight became the second President,
and held the office for a long period of years. The early
volumes of the Transactions bear witness to their in-
dustry and to the soundness of their views. Moreover,
Knight's contributions to Vegetable Physiology keep
their authority in modern text-books.1

1 It has been shown that Sir Joseph abstained from authorship as
far as the public were concerned. A few items only, on Agriculture and
Horticulture, were printed under special circumstances.

The Annals of Agriculture published the following articles : —

to the Council against the

A Report on Wool
Instructions given

Wool Bill .
Notes on Spinning

A New Hay-barn, and New Rick-cloth
On The Hessian Fly
On the late Season, 1790
On the Hastings Turnip
Account of Twelve Lincoln Sheep
On the Musca pumilionis (a fly attacking Rye)
Reply to Queries on Labour in Lincolnshire
Economy of a Park .....

Vol. IX, 288

480

„ X, 217

„ „ 520

XI, 422

XV, 76

., 77

.. 357

XVI, 176

XIX, 187

XXXIX, 550

Papers printed in the Horticultural Society's Transactions : —
An attempt to ascertain the time when the Potatoe
(Solanum tuberosum) was first introduced into

the United Kingdom Vol. I, p. 8

Some hints respecting the proper mode of inuring

Tender Plants to our climate . . , . ,,21

"A FINE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN" 321

On the revival of an obsolete mode of managing

Strawberries ....... Vol. I., p. 54

An account of the method of cultivating the American

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpum) ... „ 75

On the Horticultural Management of the Sweet or

Spanish Chestnut-tree . . . . . ,,140

On the Forcing- houses of the Romans, with a list of

Fruits cultivated by them now in our gardens . „ 147

A short account of a new Apple, called the Spring Grove

Codling ........ „ 197

On ripening the second crop of Figs that grow on the

new shoots ....... „ 252

Some Horticultural observations, selected from French

authors ........ Appendix

CHAPTER XXI
THE END

IN his seventy-fourth year, Banks had one more
carriage accident ; this time having a rather bene-
ficial result than otherwise, for in the course of a
restless night after, he voided a large stone and
was consequently relieved from one source of pain.

Sir Joseph Banks to Sir E. Home.

" SPRING GROVE, August 27, 1818.

" MY DEAR SIR EVERARD, — I was overturned two days
ago by a drunken coachman, but received no hurt. Lady
Banks and my sister and I were driving home from dining
with Sir A. Macdonald. We are all three rather heavy,
and I, as you know, quite helpless. We were obliged to
lie very uneasily at the bottom of the coach for half an
hour before assistance could be got to lift us out. We
all bore our misfortune without any repining or any
demonstration of the follies of fear ; and we are all now
quite recovered from the effects of our accident, except
my sister, who has a cut on her head filled with lint and
doing very well. But both the ladies have gone every-
where since, without an hour's confinement."

This accident was doubtless of more consequence than
at first appeared. Mistress Banks died on September 27,
after a " slight indisposition," which had not prevented
her calling, a few days previously, upon the Princesses at

322

MISTRESS SARAH SOPHIA BANK'S '
From a drawing by John Russell, R.A.-

THE END 323

Kew. At the age of seventy-four, she could not afford
to be shaken about as described.

Mistress Sarah Sophia Banks was a zealous student of
Natural History, and a most indefatigable collector of
curiosities of all sorts. But her moral worth (says a co-
temporary obituary), even more than her talents and
knowledge, rendered her the object of esteem and regard
to all who had the pleasure of being acquainted with her.
The life-long attachment of Sir Joseph and his sister
speaks well for both of them. And there seems to be
no recognizable limit to the versatility of either one.
Living almost always a member of his household, Mistress
Banks was a devoted companion of Sir Joseph, proud
of his ever-growing fame, and constantly at his service as
amanuensis or interviewer. The amount of manuscript
matter in her handwriting which has been preserved is
really prodigious. One item alone in the British Museum
Catalogue, which appears to be her handiwork, consists
of no less than sixty-five volumes. These include, among
other matters, papers on ceremonials, heraldry, and col-
lections for a history of the Order of the Garter.1 Another
is a list of the books in Banks 's library 2 (apparently that
at Revesby) ; one section of which is a copious bibli-
ography of archery. She also collected Broadsides, 3 books
on Chess, Engravings, and news-cuttings galore. Her
greatest triumph in this way was an extraordinary
accumulation of Visiting Cards. This collection 4 is a
perfect charm, as not only reflecting Miss Banks's cul-
tured taste, but suggesting an elegant testimony to one
of the many refinements of her period.

There are Visiting Cards, Invitation Cards, and

1 Addl. MSS., 6277 to 6342.

2 Addl. MSS., 33494.

3 Nine volumes of Broadsides and Caricatures preserved in the
General Library.

4 Now kept in the Print Room of the British Museum. They must
be at least ten thousand in number.

324 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

" Thanks for kind Inquiries." All branches of the Fine
Arts are here represented, by engravings generally in
the best possible execution. Nearly every object in
Nature and in imaginative Art has been laid under con-
tribution to furnish dainty designs. Vasesf trees, gon-
dolas, cupids, ruins, temples, ships, vie with birds, snakes,
wild animals, agricultural and architectural objects ; set
in scrolls, squares, ovals, wreaths, or festoons ; some
embossed, many coloured ; some humorous, as if en-
graved for the purpose of being " collected " (including
one of Sir Joseph Banks upon a tiny map of Iceland).
Every country appears to be represented, France,
Italy, and Germany contributing most largely to the
store.

These worthy people lived well in the fashion. In
her younger days Miss Banks went about in the best
style. She dressed well, and drove a tandem in Hyde
Park. But, according to one informant,1 she lost the
inclination for a specially elegant appearance out of
doors. " She was looked after by the eye of astonishment
wherever she went. Her dress was that of the old school ;
her Barcelona quilled petticoat had a hole on either side
for the convenience of rummaging two immense pockets,
stuffed with books . . . both she and Lady Banks, in
compliment to Sir Joseph, had their riding-habits of
wool made out of his own produce ; in which dresses the
ladies appeared on all occasions." A tall servant, with
a taller stick in his hand, went with her everywhere.
The same writer tells of his once taking an immense num-
ber of tradesmen's tokens to Soho Square ; with a note
begging Mistress Banks to accept of any she might want.
She politely called upon Mr. Smith, and thanked him ;
but, strange as it might seem, she regretted to say that

1 J. T. Smith : A Book for a Rainy Day.

THE END 325

out of so many hundreds there was not one that she was
in want of.1

Sir Joseph sent all his sister's coins, books, and curiosi-
ties to the British Museum, offering the selection of any-
thing the Trustees did not already possess. As most of
her collections were unique in their way, the Museum
profited considerably by the opportunity.

The End was now in view. References to Banks occur
in private letters between friends, bearing solicitude on
account of his pains and his growing weakness, mixed
with a sense of satisfaction that his strong and still
vigorous mind supported him through it all. And,
probably with sincerity, it was not uncommon to express
an opinion of the great loss to Science death would prove.2

When the year 1820 opened, Sir Joseph was still at his
post. He occupied the chair at the Council of the Royal
Society on January 13, 20, and 27, and once in February.
March 16 was the last day of his appearing in the seat
which he had occupied for so many years with such dis-
tinction. On May 18 Sir Everard Home informed the
Council that the President had sent in his resignation of
the post. But it was resolved unanimously by those
present (Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle, in the chair),
" That instead of accepting the resignation of the Presi-
dent, the Council do with one voice express their most

1 Miss Banks had the distinction, common to all persons who
were in any way " quaint " or " unconventional," of being numbered
among the inspirations of James Gillray. The Caricaturist drew a
humorous picture of An Old Maid on a Journey carrying a lap-dog
and fan, and parasol ; servants follow, bearing packages, a bird-cage, a
cat, etc. (published November, 1804). A reproduction of this appears
on the adjoining page.

2 One odd relic found among his papers (N.H. Mus.) is an anony-
mous letter to Banks, signed F.R.S. (March, 1819). After it is written
with some pathos " From an old man to an old man." After pious
allusion to the impending act of Providence in removing him, " We must
look forward to that hour with calm fortitude," and begs him to nomi-
nate his successor !

326 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

cordial wishes that the President should not withdraw
from the Chair of the Society, which he has filled so ably
and so honourably during a period of forty-two years."

This message, doubtless, gratified the aged President.
Willing to die in harness, and rejoicing at this last friendly
touch on the part of his colleagues, he sent them a reply
in the following terms :

" 32 SOHO SQUARE, June i.

" Sir Joseph Banks begs leave to inform the Council
of the Royal Society that his motive for offering his
resignation of the office of President was a conviction that
old age had so far impaired his sight and his hearing as to
render him by no means so well able to perform the duties
of that respectable office as he has been. He is gratified
in the extreme by finding that the Council think it possible
for him to continue his services without detriment to the
interests of the Society, and he begs leave to withdraw his
resignation, assuring the Council that his utmost exer-
tions shall never be wanting to conduct, so far as may
be in his power, the affairs of the Society."

On June 19, 1820, Barrow sent word to Marsden that
" Sir Joseph breathed his last at seven o'clock." Thus
ended a career of almost unexampled usefulness ; one that
left the country better and wiser ; and the whole world
indebted for steps in progress and culture to the life
and labours of a most worthy English gentleman.

Records of Banks 's personality are somewhat rarer
than is usual with men who have enjoyed the public
favour for a long series of years. The few casual refer-
ences to him, that have appeared in print, leave him little
more than a shadow as to the working of his mind or the
inclinations of his heart. His numerous correspondents,
almost without exception, display a regard for him that
may be called really affectionate. They loved him, and

THE END 327

rejoiced in his friendship ; but rare indeed is the ex-
change of deep sentiment. His remaining something of
a phantom to us lies in this : that he never talked ^or
wrote about himself. His letters, journals, instructions,
scientific reasonings, are all objective. The first-person-
singular is rarely used. When he has to make a protest,
or a mild suggestion of blame, the error or the offence is
not shown to be a wrong done to himself. It is made to
appear a breach of proper principle, neither more nor less.
And when anything bordered on misconduct which could
not be condoned, it was Banks's way to dismiss from his
thoughts the offence and the offender alike.

If, however, we cannot easily recognize the inner
man, in the absence of self-revelation through the medium
of diaries or letters, it is not difficult to understand why
vSir Joseph Banks secured such general respect and affec-
tion. His life, as it appeared on the surface, was one
long career of honour ; shown in his habitual honesty of
purpose, his generosity and kindliness, and in his untiring
public spirit. In one of the few cases where the above-
mentioned law (as to the use of the first-person-singular)
does not apply, we find him writing to Brissot de War-
ville : " My disposition is not of a nature inclined to wish
for the control of any man's sentiments ; we should all
speak or print what we think is true. For we shall cer-
tainly be esteemed by the world in proportion to the
truth and justice of what we speak or print." These are
golden words, and it was because of Banks's uniformly
and instinctively living up to their tenour, that he kept
such firm hold upon the regards of his fellow-countrymen.
The circumstance that he did not please everybody can
be accounted for, as long as the envy of distinction, or
the jealousy of high personal qualities, continues to infect
the meaner portion of humanity.

Banks had the advantage of a fine presence, tall and

328 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

well-proportioned. The best idea that can be gained of
him is through the portrait by Lawrence, to be seen in the
Trustees' Room at the British Museum.1 " In his earlier
days, Sir Joseph exhibited a manly form, with a counte-
nance that betokened intelligence, and an eye that
gleamed with kindness. His manners were courteous,
and his conversation was replete with instruction." 2

Suttor, the botanical collector, who published at
Paramatta a short notice of Sir Joseph, describes him
as " always affable and kind ; of a very pleasing counte-
nance, highly intellectual, a manly deportment, but very
little of the fine gentleman or the courtier ; a kind
master ; and a steady friend to high and low, rich and
poor ... a cheerful and buoyant disposition, with
presence of mind and courage in distress." Alluding to
the doggerel of Peter Pindar, who could not possibly
spare so prominent a personage as Banks, Suttor re-
marks : " like his gracious Sovereign, he laughed at the
witty though virulent poet, and never caught a butterfly
the less."

Banks naturally became the object of numerous carica-
tures. But, as Cuvier says in allusion to this matter :
" Le seul remede applicable a de pareilles piqures etait
d'en rire. Ce fut celui qu'il employa." When Captain
Marryat was proposed to the Royal Society, some one
feared that his skits on Banks would be unfavourable to
his candidature. This was foolish. And coming to
Banks's ears he let it be understood that he admired
the drawings and purposely kept them on his table. " I
wouldn't be without them for the world," he said.3

One more " Impression " may be given, written by
one of his scientific friends, in the Philosophical Magazine :
" Sir Joseph in person was tall and manly, and his counte-

1 v. Frontispiece.

2 Faulkner : History of Chelsea, II, 190. This writer mentions a
portrait by Garrard, which has " an extraordinary degree of fidelity."

3 Marryat's Life, by his daughter, I, 81.

THE END 329

nance expressive of dignity and intelligence. His manners
were polite and urbane ; his conversation was rich in in-
structive information, frank, engaging, unaffected, and
without levity, yet endowed with sufficient vivacity. His
information was general and extensive. On most subjects
he exercised the discriminating and inventive powers of
an original and vigorous mind ; his knowledge was not
that of facts merely, or of technical terms, and complex
abstraction alone, but of science in its elementary prin-
ciples, and of nature in her happiest forms."

In France, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Russia,
Switzerland, everywhere that the merits of a good and
great Englishman could be eulogized, it was done.
Science all over the world had lost its Nestor, and she
stinted not the language of universal goodwill toward
the memory of one who had drawn the nations together,
in a field apart from the sordid struggles of life. His own
supremacy was of that character which does not lay
its rivals in the dust ; his path through life was strewn
with the trophies and triumphs of benevolence. Some-
thing like this was the universal estimate of Europe.

One of the more eloquent of these testimonies to the
worth of Sir Joseph Banks is that of Jean Baptiste Biot,
the famous physicist. He spent much of his scientific
life, in his younger days, in England ; and died in 1862,
eighty-eight years of age. This is his memorial of his old
friend : 1

" Que ne puis-je peindre ce que je sentis en voyant pour
la premiere fois ce venerable compagnon de Cook !
Illustre par de longs voyages, remarquable par une eten-
due d'esprit et par une elevation de sentimens qui le font
s'interesser egalement aux progres de toutes les con-
naissances humaines, possesseur d'un rang eleve, d'une
grande fortune, d'une consideration universelle, Sir

1 Melanges Scientifiques et Littemires, I, 77.

330 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS

Joseph a fait de tous ces avantages la patrimonie des
savans de toutes les nations. Si simple, si facile dans sa
bienveillance, qu'elle semble presque, pour celui qui
1'eprouve, 1'effet d'un droit naturellement acquis ; et
en meme temps si bon, qu'il vous laisse tout le plaisir,
toute 1'individualite de la reconnaissance. Noble exemple
d'un protectorat, dont toute 1'autorite est fondee sur
1'estime, 1'attachement, le respect, le confiance libre et
volontaire ; dont les titres consistent uniquement dans
une bonne volonte inepuisable et dans le souvenir des
services rendus ; et dont la possession longue et non
contestee fait supposer de rares vertus et une exquisse
delicatesse, quand on songe que tout ce pouvoir doit
se former, se maintenir, et s'exercer parmi des egaux."

Sir Joseph was buried unostentatiously, at his own
request. He died at Spring Grove, in Heston parish ; in
the churchyard of which his mortal remains were laid.
By his will, Robert Brown was provided for by annuity ;
and was given the use of Banks's library and Herbarium,
with reversion to the British Museum. Frank Bauer,1
the clever painter of plant-life, who was so long associated
with Banks, likewise received an annuity by bequest.

Sir Joseph's portrait was painted several times. Two
early pictures are by West and Reynolds. The former
is a full-length figure, cloaked in a South Sea island robe ;
the rendering is dignified and animated, while the sur-
roundings are evidently meant to be a reminder of his
character as a traveller. Sir Joshua's picture must be

1 Frank Bauer painted flowers with a marvellous gift. His drawings
of botanical physiology surpassed those of any who had previously
painted the vegetable world. He took up his residence at. Kew about
1789, with the patronage and encouragement of the King and of Sir
Joseph Banks. The Royal Princesses were devoted to Bauer, and
coloured some of his outlines of rare flowers. So his title of Botanical
Painter to His Majesty was no sinecure. His brother Ferdinand, who
accompanied Captain Flinders, had also a very superior talent of the
same sort.

THE END 33i

of nearly the same date. Banks is sitting at a table,
surrounded by geographical indications. A fine mezzo-
tint by Dickinson was the means of popularizing this
portrait. Another portrait by Reynolds is one of the
group of seven members of the Dilettanti Society.

George Dance painted Banks as in later middle life ;
as also did Garrard, whose picture is said to be a very
good likeness. Sir Thomas Lawrence made a crayon
drawing of Banks, now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Thomas Phillips produced several portraits. One of these
is the property of the Royal Society, another hangs in the
National Portrait Gallery, a third in the Boston Town
Hall, and one (painted in the last year of Sir Joseph's
life) belongs to the Royal Horticultural Society. John
Russell made a crayon drawing, which was engraved
more than once.

The marble statue by Chantrey, which stood for many
years in the Entrance Hall of the British Museum, has
been removed to the Natural History Department in
Cromwell Road. In the opinion of Sir Henry Ellis, this
statue offered by far the best picture of Banks. There are
busts in the Natural History Museum, in the laboratory
at Chelsea Gardens, and in the Banksian Library at
Bloomsbury. This last is by Mrs. Darner, presented by
her to the Museum in 1814. There is also a medallion
portrait by Pistrucci, chief engraver at the Mint (Egerton
MSS., 2851).

THE END

INDEX

INDEX

Abel, Dr. C., naturalist, 277, 298

Abercorn, Lord, 262

Aberdeen, 96

Abernethy, Dr, 287

Abyssinia, 174, 283, 284

Acad&mie Franpaise, 82, 84

Adams, Thomas, Captain, R.N., 10

Aerostation, 71

Africa, 142, 145-53

African Association, 145-52, 302

Afzelius, Adam, botanist, 153-5

Agriculture : Distemper among
horned Cattle, 4

Agriculture, as a branch of botani-
cal science, 12. v. "Farming"

Aiton, William, at Kew Gardens,

93

Aiton, W. T., 209, 260, 277

D'Alembert, Jean, quoted, 73

Aleppo, 116

Allen, Dr., gout specialist, 166

Allen, John, 230, 235

Almack's, 176 n

America, 140, 141, 211, 214

American Declaration of Inde-
pendence, 81, 82

Amherst, Lord, 271, 277

Amiens, truce of, 149, 208

Anderson, Dr. Alexander, botanist,
121, 122

Anderson, Alexander, traveller,
I5L 152

Anderson, William, surgeon, 40, 49

Angling, in Lincolnshire, 307

Anguish, T., 76

Antiquities the handmaid of
history, 67

Apothecaries' Garden, Chelsea, 6,
93

Apple (Spring Grove Codling), 321
Arabic language, 150, 152
Arabs, 147
Arbitration, 263-4
Archaeology, 3, 13, 314, 315
Archery at Revesby, 307
Arcot, India, 114
Arenberg, Duke of, 61
Ashby, Rev. George, 21, 53, 62
Astronomers, on the transit of

Venus, 14

Astronomical Society, 258
Astronomy at Court, 63, 64
Aubert, Alexander, 56, 71, 78, 91
Auckland, Lord, 136, 207
Austin Friars, 56
Australia, 30, 217 et seq.t 226, 229
Ayrshire, 114
Azores, 297

Babbage, Charles, 175, 256
Bacstrom, Sigismund, M.D., 26 n,

167, 168

Baily, F. H., 256
Ballooning, 71

Bankes, of Kingston Lacy, 1 3
Banks, Joseph (d. 1727), notice

of him, 3, 4

Banks, Joseph (d. 1736), 4
Banks, Sir Joseph, b. 1743, 3 ;
left Oxford University, 1763, 8 ;
Society of Arts, 1764, 121 ;
voyage to Newfoundland, 1766,
ii ; F.R.S. 1766, 10 ; circum-
navigated the world with Cap-
tain Cook, 1768, 14 et seq. \
voyage to Iceland, 1772, 32 ;
Soho Square, 1777, 62 ; Presi-
dent of the Royal Society,

335

336

INDEX

1778, 57; marriage, 1779, 62;
baronetcy, 1781, 63 ; Knight
of the Bath, 1795, 181 ; Privy
Councillor, 1797, 159; French
Institut, 1 80 1, 210 ; Royal
Horticultural Society, 1 804,
260 ; death, 1820, 326

Banks, Marianne (born Bate),
notice of her, 4 ; residence at
Chelsea, 6

Banks, Lady (b. Hugessen), 62,
64, 70, 99, 158, 258 n, 271, 272,

293. 317, 3i8, 324
Banks, Sarah Sophia, 63, 70, 71,

99, 258 n, 293, 307, 317, 322-5
Banks, William, 4, 6
Barbados, 124, 125, 138
Bardney, Lines, 3
Barker, Rev. Thomas, 316 n
Barlings, Lines, 3
Barra, W. Africa, 147
Barrington, Hon. Daines, 27, 37,40
Barrow, Sir John, 152, 238, 258,

278, 281-2, 287, 291-4, 301, 318
Barrows, near Revesby, 315
Barton, G. B., 213
Bass, George, 230, 233
Batavia, 17-21, 40 n, 130, 131,

134. 278

Batavian Society, Rotterdam, 36
" Bath Butterfly," 180
Bath, 13
Bath, Lord, 99
Bathurst, Australia, 229
Bathurst, Lord, 106, 107, 296
Baudin,Captain, circumnavigator,

233, 236
Bauer, Ferdinand, 228, 230, 234,

238-41. 330
Bauer, Frank, 330
Bavaria, 259

Bayly, Wm., astronomer, 27, 40
Beaufort, Duke of, 99
Beaufoy, Henry, 145
Beaumont, Sir George, 38
Beckett, Thomas, bookseller, 28
Beddoes, Thomas, M.D., 188-191,

260

Beddoes, T. L., 188
Beechey, Capt. Frederick, 152
Behar, India, 113
Belles Lettres Society, proposed,

262
Belzoni, traveller, 284, 285, 287

Bengal, 113, 142

Benin, W. Africa, 278

Berkeley, Lord, 99

Berlin Academy, 84

Berne, 53

Berry, Miss, quoted, 173

Bessestedr, Iceland, 33

Biblical botany, 162

Bilbao, 102, 103

Billings, Joseph, 146

Biot, Jean B., 329

Blagden, Dr. Charles, Kt., 37,
64, 69, 71, 74, 77, 78, 79, 258 n,
287, 291

Blanchard, Jean P., his Aeros-
tatic Academy, 71

Bligh, William, admiral, 40, 49,
126 et seq., 222-3, 226-7, 280-1

Bligh, Mrs., 223

Blosset, Miss, 22

Blumenbach, Prof. Johann F., 152

Board of Agriculture, 100-1, 319

Board of Longitude, 24 n, 159

Board of Trade and Plantations,

159, 220, 221

Bonaparte, Napoleon, 205

Boston, Lines, 312, 313

Boswell, James, 37, 160

Botanical collectors, 95, 96, 139,
248, 274-7

Botany, at Oxford and Cam-
bridge, 6-8 ; South Sea Islands,
17, 1 8 ; Iceland, 33 ; Wales, 37 ;
Tranquebar, 45 ; Yorkshire,
47 ; at Court, 83 ; Soho Square,
90 ; British Colonies, 96 ; India,
114 et seq. ; New South Wales,
226 et seq.

Botany Bay, 167, 192, 213, 2141*,
216, 230, 233

Botley, Hants, 107

Boucher, R., geographer, 53

de Bougainville, L. A., 28 n

de Bouille, Marquis, 121, 122

Boulton, Matthew, engineer, 159,
278

Bowie, James, botanist, 276-7

Brazil, 277 n

Bread-fruit tree, 19, 123, 124, 127,

133. 137. 138

Bretschneider, Emil, quoted, 282
Bridgewater, Somerset, 13
Briscoe, Peter, 16
Brissot de Warville, Jean P., 327

INDEX

337

Bristol, 13, 188, 191
Bristol Naturalists' Society, 12 n
Bristol, Lord, 45, 99
Britannia antiqua, 246
British Jungermannice, The, 298
British Museum, 30, 53, 59, 62,
65, 66, 67, 71, 74, 194, 209, 243,
254, 274, 284, 286, 309, 314,
323, 325, 328, 330, 331
Britten, James, botanist, 30
Broadley, A. M., 102 n
Broadsides, Miss Banks's collec-
tion of , 71, 323
Brocklesby, Dr. Richard, 77
Brodie, Sir Benj. C., 256, 287, 289
Brompton Botanic Gardens, 225
Brooke, Robert, 112, 113
Brougham, Henry, Lord, quoted,
5. 9. 24, 73, 75, 207, 211 ;
notice of him, 302-3
Brougham, Henry, senr., school-
fellow of Banks, 5
Brown, Robert, botanist, 25 w,
228, 230-4, 238-43, 288, 300, 302
Brown, William, mutineer, 134
Bruce, James, traveller, 39, 174
Brussels, 61

Bryant, Jacob, antiquary, 66, 67
Buchan, Alex., artist, 16, 19, 30
Buckland, Dr. William, geologist,

302

Buitenzorg, Batavia, 278
Bulstrode House, Bucks, 65, 67
Burckhardt, John L., 152
Burgis, Thomas, artist, 34
Burke, Edmund, 160
Burney, Dr. Charles, 23
Burney, Fanny, quoted, 23, 41,

64, 67

Burney, James, R.N., 23, 40, 49, 5 1
Bute, Earl of, as horticulturist, 93

Cairo, 147, 284, 285

Calais, 71, 103, 104

Calcutta, 113, 115, 159, 273, 274

Caley, George, botanist, 224-9,

238, 276, 282
Cambridge, 8, 43
Camelford, Lord, 144
Canada, 98, 214, 318
Canton, 266, 269, 272, 273

Caoutchouc, early mention of, 16
Cape of Good Hope, 26, 45, 49,

96, 97, 140, 142, 219, 231, 242,

269, 277, 292
Cape Horn, 141, 144
Caricatures, 175 et seq., 325
Carlisle, Sir Anthony, 287
Carnatic, 114, 116
Cartwright, George, Labrador

trapper, 35

Cartwright, John, R.N., 35
Caserta, 62, 198, 199
Cassel, Germany, 54, 169, 170, 171
Castile, 102
Castlereagh, Lord, 248
Cavendish, Hon. Henry, 56, 76,

78, 91, 210, 287
Cayenne, 208
Ceylon, 268, 273
Chambers, Sir W., architect, 93
Chantrey, Sir F., 331
Charing Cross, 165
Charles II, F.R.S., 59
Charretie, 207
Chatham, 140, 253
Chatham, John, 2nd Earl, 137
Chelsea, 6, 93, 186, 331
Cheltenham, 98, 179
Chemical Society, 255
Chemistry applied to medical

science, 188-90
Chepstow, Gloucester, 13
Chester, 37

Chestnut tree management, 321]^
Chettle, Dorset, 13
Children, J. G., quoted, 65
Chile, 145, 230

China, 140,235,266^5^., 298,318
China ware, 272

Christ Church College, Oxford, 302
Christchurch, Hants, 93
Christian, Edward, 135
Christian, Fletcher, 134, 135, 136
Church Missionary Society, 142
Circumnavigation voyages : popu-
larity of, 14
Cirencester, 98
Clarke, Dr. Thomas, 122
Clergy, eighteenth-century, 38
Clerke, Lieut. Charles, 24, 25, 29,

49,50

Clevedon, Somerset, 13
Cleveland Hills, Yorkshire, 46
Cleveley, John, artist, 26 n

338

INDEX

Clifton, Gloucester, 13

Club, the, 70, 90

Cobbett, William, 107, 211, 212

Coke, Thomas, 109

Coke, Lady Mary, quoted, 22 n

Cole, Rev. W., 174

Colman, George, 46, 47, 215

Colman, George, the younger,
46-8

Congo River, 278

Connecticut, 53, 146

Constantinople, 71, 216

Conybeare, Dr. William, geologist,
302

Cook, Elizabeth, 50, 52

Cook, James (father of Captain
Cook), 48

Cook, Captain James, 15-20, 23,
27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 39, 40, 45, 48,
49' 5°> 51. S3. 61, Son, no, 129,
130, 143, 167, 169, 176, 177,
185, 213, 234, 329

Cooper, Gloucester clothier, 99

Cooper, Thomas, 85, 88

Copenhagen, 66, 222, 245, 247

Corneille, Daniel, 1 1 1 , 112

Cork, 247

Cornwallis, Charles, Earl, 113

Coromandel, xi, 115

Correa de Serra, Josef, 231

Cots wold Hills, 99

Country fair at Revesby, 306

Country parsons, eighteenth-cen-
tury, 38

County history, importance of, 4

Coupang, 131

Coxe, William, traveller, 146

Cradock, Joseph, quoted, 23 n,
43 n

Cranberry cultivation, 261, 317

Cranch, — , naturalist, 279

Crichel, Dorset, n

Criticism, inept, 18

Croker, J. W., 37, 238

Crosley, John, astronomer, 231-2

Crown and Sceptre, Strand, 70

Cullum, Sir John, 38, 39, 40, 43,

57
Cunningham, Allan, botanist, 276,

277

Curtis, Wm., xi
Cust, Lionel, quoted, 38
Cuvier, Baron, quoted, 49,^328 ^

D

Dalrymple, Alexander /geographer,

15, 78, 214, 291
Darner, Mrs., 331
Dampier, Captain William, 18
Dance, George, painter, 331
Danish East Indies, 114, 134
D'Arblay [ = Burney, F.]
Dartmouth, Earl of, 261
Darwin, Charles, 319
Davy, Sir Humphry, 256, 260, 265,

293' 300, 301
Davy, Dr. John, 301
Delany, Mrs., quoted, 66 ; her

plants in paper mosaic, 67
De Candolle, 299, 300
De Caen, Governor of Mauritius,

236, 237

Deer-park economy, 308, 320^
Denmark, 244-6, 252
Denne, Dr., 102
Deptford, 129, 140
Dettingen, 55
Devonshire, Georgiana, Duchess

of, 189, 190

Dickson, John, horticulturist, 260
Dilettanti Society, 38, 158, 319
Dillwyn, John, 105, 108
Dog story, 62
Dolomieu, D. Gratet de, naturalist,

197, 205-7

Dominica, W. Indies, 120
Dorrington, Lines, 313
Dorsetshire, tour in, 12
Douglas, Dr. John, 51, 54, 184
Dover, 103, 104
Downing, Flintshire, 9, 60
Downton, Hereford, 319
Dryander, Jonas, xi, 65, 71, 97 n,

181, 232, 242, 243, 288
Dublin, 112
Ducie, Lord, 99
Duckett, William, farmer, 100

East, Hinton, horticulturist, 122-4,

137
East India Company, in-6, 157,

159, 2i4«, 269, 271, 273, 274,

277, 290
Edgar, Thomas, 54

INDEX

339

Edgeworth, R. L., 188, 191

Edinburgh, 34, 55, 139, 145, 149,
162, 231, 247

Edinburgh Review, 302, 303

Edwards, Captain, 135

Edwards, Bryan, 122

Egypt, 283, 284

Egyptian antiquities, 284-6

Ehret, George D., painter of
plant life, 66

Elgin, Lord, 209

Ellis, John, botanist, 66

Ellis, Sir Henry, 331

Ellis, W., surgeon, 52

Endeavour Straits, 128, 132

Engineers' Society, 158, 160

Englefield, Sir Henry, 38, 91

D'Entrecasteaux, Joseph, circum-
navigator, 192

Esher, 100 n

Esquimaux, 34, 36, 244

Etches, R. C., 140

Ethan, the wisest of men, 157

Ethnographical speculations, 36

Eton School, 5

Evelyn, John, 39, 98

Fabricius, Jean C., naturalist, 65-6

Falconer, Sir Thomas, 16

Falkland Islands, 2 1

" Farmer George," 98

Farming, 99-101, no, 308 et seq.

Faroe Islands, 248

Faujas de Saint-Fond, Barthe-
lemy, 89-92

Fawkener, 220

Felons, transportation of, 213-6

Fen-land reclamation, 308, 311

Ferdinand, King of Naples, 62,
198, 199

Fezzan, 147, 152

Fielding, Sir John, 7

Fifeshire, 231

Fishing-parties at Revesby, 307-8

Flinders, Captain Matthew, 230
et seq., 278, 280, 313

Flora Anglica (Wm. Hudson), 13

Foreign travels and visits in Eng-
land, 63, 65, 89, 90, 171, 299

Forrest, Captain Thomas, 290

Forster, Georg, 27, 54, 169-71

Forster, John Reinhold, 27, 34 n,

40, 169, 170

Forsyth, William, botanist, 260
Fothergill, Dr. John, 29, 66, 139,

183, 184

Fowler, William, architect, 313-4
Fox, Rt. Hon. C. J., 215
Franklin, Sir John, 234, 235, 313
Frederick the Great, 169
Frederick, Princess of Wales, 93-4
Freetown, West Africa, 153
French Directory, 195
French oversea discoveries, 142,

233, 236
French relations with England,

207, 210, 237
French Revolution, 86, 188, 194,

195, 244

de Freville, A. F. J., 28 n
Friendly Islands, 19, 128
Fryer, John, 130
Furneaux, Captain Tobias, 40, 41

Gait, John, 283

Gambia River, 147, 148, 151

Garrard, George, painter, 328, 331

Geikie, Sir Archibald, 89

Geographical Club, 153

Geological Society, 255, 257, 302

George III, King, 21, 22, 25, 47,
51, 55, 64, 67, 79, 94, 96, 98-
103, 105, 108-10, 124, 136, 137,

173. 175. I78-9> 221, 301, 311,

312

George, Prince Regent, 174, 265

Georgium Sidus (Uranus), dis-
covery of, 63

Gerarde's Herbal, 6

German appreciation of Captain
Cook, 30, 54

Gillray, James, 180, 325

Gilpin, George, 81

Glasgow, 298

Gloucestershire, festivities in, 98-9

Goethe, von, W., 242

Good, Peter, gardener, 230, 232-3

Goodenough, Dr., Bishop of Car-
lisle, 325

Gore, Lieutenant John, 51

Goree, W. Africa, 151

Gossett, I., 77

340

INDEX

Gottingen, 53

Gough, Richard, antiquary, 57,

314

Graefer, John, horticulturist, 199,
204

Grampound, Cornwall, 4

Graufell, Iceland, 33

Gravesend, Kent, 24

Gray, Asa, botanist, 299

Green, Charles, astronomer, ac-
companied Captain Cook on his
first voyage, 1 5

Green, John, Bishop of Lincoln, 43

Greenland, 248

Greenwich, 45

Gregory, Dr. Olinthus, 256

Grenada, W. Indies, 120

Greville, Hon. C., 36, 38, 66, 184,
232, 260, 319

Greville, Henry Fulke, 262

Greville, R. F., 108-10

" Grey Wethers," near Marl-
borough, 1 3

Grimsby, Lines, 3

Grose, Major, 219

Guines, France, 71

Gunning, ]., 77

H

Hague, The, 137
Hackman, James, 43
Halesworth, Suffolk, 253, 254,294,

299

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1 39
Hall, Captain Basil, 152
Halle, Germany, 169, 170
Hallett, John, 136
Ham, Surrey, loon
Hamilton, Emma, Lady, 197,

200-5

Hamilton, George, 135^
Hamilton, W., orientalist, 283-6
Hamilton, Sir William, 38, 61,

197-206, 307, 319
d'Harcourt, Duke, .193, 194
Hardcastle, Rev. Joseph, 251
Hard wick, Suffolk, 38
Harlock, — , 45
Harrison, George, 275
Harrow School, 5
Hastings, 208
Hastings, Warren, 113
Hartford, U.S.A., 53

Hatfield, Herts, 304
Havnefiord, Iceland, 33
Hawkesbury, Lord, 247
Hawkesbury River, N.S. Wales,

219
Hawkesworth, Dr. John, Editor

of Captain Cook's first voyage,

30, 31

Hawkey, Lieutenant John, 279
Hawsted, Suffolk, 38
Heberden, Dr., 79
Hebrew traditions of wise men,

157

Heidelberg, 66
Hekla, Mount, ascended by Banks,

33-4

Herbert of Cherbury, Lord, 38
Herculaneum MSS., 265
Herschel, Caroline, 91
Herschel, Sir John, 256
Herschel, Sir William, 63, 64,

90, 210 287, 291
Hessian fly, 320 n
Heston, Middlesex, 316, 330
Highbury, Middlesex, 56
Hinchingbrook, Hants, 23
Hobart, Lord, 150
Hodges, William, 27
Hogan, J. F., 254^
Hollis, Brand, 77
Home, Sir Everard, 5, 280, 281,

287, 304, 322, 325
Hooker, Sir J. D., xi, 17, 113, 299
Hooker, Sir Wm. J., 34, 248-53,

282, 294-9
Hooper, James, 277
Hope, Dr. John, Edinburgh pro-
fessor of Botany, 83, 114, 118,

122, 139, 140, 257
Horncastle, 312, 313
Hornemann, Frederik, 148-9, 216
Hornsby, Rev. Thomas, Savile

astronomer, 14, 63
Horsfield, Dr. Thomas, botanist,

273, 274, 282, 296
Horsley, Dr. Samuel, 75, 76, 77,

78, 80, 81, 179, 2ii, 212
Horticulture, 93, 94, 95, 112, 120

et seq., 138, 199, 260, 261, 308,

319. 32o

Hortus Kewensis, 83, 277
Houghton, Major Daniel, 147, 148
Hounslow, Middlesex, 7
Houston, William, xi

INDEX

341

Howick, Lord (Earl Grey), 208
Hudson, William, botanist, 13, 225
Hudson's Bay, transit of Venus

observed there, 15
Hudson's Bay Company, 35
Hugessen, Win. W, 62
Humboldt, von, Alexander, 242
Hume, David, 162
Humours of success in life, 172 et

seq.

Hunt, — , 98

Hunter, Captain John, 218, 222
Hunter, Dr. Alexander, 39, 314
Hunter, John, 66
Hussey, Rev. T. J., 175
Husson : eau mtdicinale, 281
Hutton, Dr. Charles, 74, 75, 77,

78, 79

Hutton, Dr. James, geologist, 36
Hyde Park skating, 117; driving,

324
Hyder Ali, 117

Iceland, 32 et seq., 68, 181, 244,

294, 295. 324
Indian Serpents, 120 ; cement

for mending noses, 158
Institut National, 207-8, 210, 212
Islip, Oxfordshire, 302
Italy, 197, 198

Jamaica, 96, 122, 123, 124, 136,
137. 138, 177 n

Japan, 140

Jardin des Plantes, 207

Java, 20, 129, 192, 273, 274, 296

Jeffries, J., American balloonist, 71

" Jemmy Twitcher," 23

Jodrell, P., 77

Joe Miller, quoted, 297

Johnson, Henry, inventor of
Logography, 165, 166

Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 37, 41, 65,

160

ohnston, Major George, 223
ohnstone, Cochrane, 106, 107
ones, Dr. H. Bence, 258 n
orgensen, J., 230 n, 251-4
ussieu, Antoine L., 82, 197

K

Kaempfer, Ingelbert, xi

Kaffir country, 97

Kamtchatka, 50, 146

Kangooroo, the, 18

Kaye, Richard, Dean of Lincoln,

10, 12

Kendall, Rev. Thomas, 142
Kerr, William, botanist, 266, 268,

269, 282, 302, 318
Kew Gardens, 92, 93-6, 98, 102,

145, 154, 209, 217, 225, 229,

235, 266, 274, 275, 297-9, 319
Kew Herbarium, 227, 296, 298,

299

Kew Palace, 21, 103, 105
King, Captain Philip G., 218, 228

234. 238

King, Captain James, 51, 184
King, Philip Parker, 277 n
Kingston, Jamaica, 122
Kingston, St. Vincent, W.I., 121
Kingston Lacy, Dorset, 13
Kippis, Dr. Andrew, 80
Kirkleatham, Yorkshire, 48
Kirkstead, Lines, 3
Kitson, Arthur, quoted, 24, 40
Knight, Richard Payne, 38, 173,

262, 319

Knight, Thomas Andrew, horti-
culturist, 260, 261, 282, 319,

320
Konig, John Gerard, botanist,

114, 115, 116, 118, 119
Konigsberg, 146
Kyd, Colonel Robert, 113, 115

de La BillardieTe, J. J., 192-7, 212
Labrador, 10-12, 34, 35
Lamb, Charles, 269
Lambourn, Essex, 43 n
Lampooning in fashion, 175
Lanarkshire, 93

Lance, David, 266, 267, 268, 271
de La Perouse, P. P., circumnavi-
gator, 192, 216
Laplanders, 244
Latham, Dr. John, 283
Laugarvatn, Iceland, 33
Lauragais, B., 28

342

INDEX

Law reform, 83

Lawrence, Sir Thomas, R.A., 331

Leach, — ,32

Lecky, W. E. H., historian, 217 n

Ledward, Thomas, 130, 134

Ledyard, John, 53, 146, 147

Lee, Arthur, 81, 82

Leslie, John, professor of mathe-
matics, 162

Leith, 247, 248

Lever, Sir Ashton, 38

Lewisham, Kent, 56

Leyden, 55

Lhasa, 271

Lightfoot, Rev. John, botanist,
9. 10, 37> 39. 66

Lincoln, 3, 310, 314

Lincolnshire, 3, 9, 146, 159, 231 n,
304 et seq., 320 n

Lind, Dr. James, 27, 32, 34, 64,
67, 68

Linnaeus, Carl, 16, 65, 67 n, 114,
117, 225, 257

Linnean Society, 7, 82, 97 n, 138,
155, 256, 257, 273

Lisbon, n

Liverpool, 239, 241

Liverpool, Charles, first Earl, 1 59,
311 ; R. B., second Earl ( =
Hawkesbury), 247, 276

Livonia, 114

Lloyd, J., 212

Logography, 165

London Bridge, as seen by Es-
quimaux, 35

Lort, Rev. Michael, 53

Loten, J. G., 170

Louis XVI, 195, 216

Louis XVII, 193, 195

Loyalist Americans, 214, 215

Lucas, Simon, 147, 216

Lunardi, V., the balloonist, 71

Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, 93

Luzon, 268

Lyon, Emma ( = Hamilton)

Lyons, Israel, 8

Lysons, Dr. Samuel, 98

Lyttleton, Charles, Bishop of Car-
lisle, 10

M

Macaronis, 176

Mac Arthur, John, 219-23

Macartney, Lord, 292

Macaulay, T. B., 22 n

Macdonald, Sir A., 322

Mackenzie, Sir George Stewart,
250, 253 n

Maclean, — , of Drumnen, 32

Macquarie River, Australia, 277

Madeira, 17, 232

Madocks, William A., 107

Madras, 15, 114, 116, 119

Madrid, 103

de Magellan, J. H., 60, 61

Mahon, Lord, 180

Maiden, J. H., botanist, viii, 213

Malacca, 1 1 3-5

Manchester, 224

Mann, — , 61

Mann, Horace, 174

Manning, Thomas, 269, 270, 298

Marcet, Dr., 299

Marr (or Matra), J., his curiosities
brought to Banks, 45

Marryat, Captain F., 152, 328

Marryat, Mrs. Joseph, 319

Marsden, Rev. Samuel, 221

Marsden, William, 152, 239, 241,
287, 290, 292, 326

Martin, Joseph, Fr. naturalist, 208

Markham, Admiral Sir C. R., 151,
270

Martyn, John, botanical pro-
fessor at Cambridge, 8

Marylebone Church, 201

Maseres, Francis, 76

Maskelyne, Revk Nevil, astrono-
mer-royal, 14, 45, 63, 68, 76, 91,
210, 290

Masson, Francis, botanical collec-
tor, 96-8, 297

Matra, J. M., 40 n (45), 214-6

Maty, Paul Henry, 57, 73, 74, 78

Maty, Dr. Matthew, 73

Mauritius, 236, 237

Medals : Copley granted to Cap-
tain Cook, 49 ; to Sir B. C.
Brodie, 287 ; Royal Society
Cook commemoration, 5 1
Board of Agriculture, 100
Society of Arts, 121

Medina, Africa, 147

Melville, General Robert, 120, 121

Menzies, Archibald, 139, 140, 143,

144. 145
Merino sheep, 104, 105, 106, 311

INDEX

343

Merino Society, 312

Mesmerism, 83

Metcalfe, Philip, 160

Midlothian, 116

Miller, John Frederick, artist, 26,
32, 34, 181 et seq.

Miller, James, draughtsman, 26 n

Mile End nursery garden, 199

Miller, Philip, horticulturist, 93,
199

Mitre tavern, 56

Mola, Iceland, 33

Monboddo, Lord, his ethno-
graphical studies, 36

Mogador, 152

Monastic houses in Lincolnshire, 3

Monkhouse, William B., surgeon,
20

Monkhouse, Jonathan, 20

Monson, Lord, 307

Montagu, Edward Wortley, 22

More, Hannah, quoted, 37

Moravian Brethren, 45

Morocco, 147, 152

Morrice, — ,22

Morris, Captain Thomas, 180

Morris, Valentine, 13, 121, 123

Morrison, Dr. Robert, 271

Morton, Charles, librarian, British
Museum, 10

Moseberg, T. H., 168

Mount Edgcumbe, Cornwall, n

Mouron, — , 104

Mulgrave, Lord [ = Phipps]

Mulgrave Hall, Yorkshire, 46, 48

Mull Island, 32, 92

Murdoch, T., 282

Mutiny of the Bounty, 131 et seq.

Mutiny in N.S. Wales, 222

N

Naples, 62, 197

Natural history studies, 5, 9, 10,

u, 12, 18, 33, 34, 37, 58, 59,
F 65, 90, 116, 117, 119
Natural History Museum, 18, 30,

33, 34, 66, 277, 331
Nautical Almanac, 159
Naval Architecture, Society for

Improvement of, 158
Needham, 61
Nelson, Lord, 204, 209, 222

Nelson, David, botanist, 126, 129,

130, 132, 134

New Burlington Street, 9, 12, 61
New Guinea, 128, 290
New Holland, 17, 128, 142, 149,

213, 214 nf 22$, 230, 231, 233,

240, 241, 242, 251
New South Wales, 29, 136, 213,

215, 217-24, 226, 229, 241, 277
New York, 81
New Zealand, 17, 40, 128, 141,

142 n, 277

Newfoundland, 10, 12, 35
Newton, Sir Isaac, 175, 178
Nichols, John, 22 n, 57, 85
Niger River, 147, 150, 151, 278
Nootka Sound, 142, 144
Norfolk Island, 241
North Pole, expedition by C.

Phipps, 8 ; Banks proposes a

voyage, 36 -
North, Lord, 214, 215
North, Mrs. Brownlow, 185-7
North- West Passage, 49
Northampton, Marquess of, 287
Northumberland, Duke of, 187
Norton, Kent, 62
Norwich, 257, 299

Oberea, Queen, 177
Oldaker, Isaac, gardener, 318
Omai, an Otaheitan, in England,

41 et seq., 46, 47
Opie, John, R.A., 178 n
Orange culture in Australia, 229
Otaheite, 17, 19, 20, 28,40, 50, 128,

130, 133. 134, 136, 137. I4L 177
Oxford University, 7, 8, 188, 189
Oxley, John, explorer, 277

Pacific Ocean, 141
Paddington, 319
Paeony, the, 268, 318
Pallas, Dr. P. S., 146
Paradise Walk, Chelsea, 6
Paramatta River, 219, 226, 328
Paris, 82, 83, 90, 210
Paris, Dr. J. A., quoted, 301

344

INDEX

Park, Mungo, 148-52, 216, 219,

231, 284
Parkinson, Sydney, artist, 16, 20,

21, 29, 30

Parkinson, Stanfield, 29
Parry, Captain W. E., 294, 301
Party spirit, 86, 87, 223
Patton, Colonel Robert, 113
Paul, Sir George, 99
Peake, R. B., quoted, 47, 48
Pearce, Nathaniel, 283, 284
Peebles, 149, 150
Pennant, Thomas, 9, 1 6, 21, 27, 33,

37, 60-6, 170, 181-5
Pepys, Sir Lucas, 190
Perthshire, 139

" Peter Pindar," 173, 177, 178
Peterborough, 4
Petersham, Surrey, 100 n
Phelps, Samuel, 251
Phillip, Captain Arthur, 216,

217

Phillips, Molesworth, R.N., 49
Phillips, Thomas, R.A., 313, 331
Phipps, Constantino (afterward
Lord Mulgrave) ; his polar
Expedition, 8 n ', to New-
foundland with Banks, 10, n,
35, 43, 45, 215 ; Yorkshire tour
with Banks, 46 et seq.
Phipps, Augustus, 46
Pisania, W. Africa, 151
Pistrucci, B., medallist, 331
Pitcairn Island, 135
Pitcairn, Dr., 56, 119, 139
Pitt, William, Right Hon., 206
Planta, Joseph, 56, 74, 291
Plants —

Albiflora fragrans, 318
Araucaria imbricata, 145
Artocarpus incisa, 19
Cassa acutifolia, 124
Drosera longi folia, 225
Ericacece, 97, 145
Hedysarum gyrans, 92
Heliconia, 183, 184
Hydrangea hortensis, 318, 319
Massonia, 183
Menziesia ferruginea, 145
Rosa banksicz, 302, 318
Sequoia sempervirens 145
Solanum tuber osum, 320 n
Vaccinium macrocarpum, 321
Zizania aquatica, 318

Plants, English, acclimatized in

Jamaica, 123
Plant collectors, 96, 97, 112 et

seq., 126, 143, 153, 226, 243, 295
Plymouth, n, 17, 32, 35, 40, 135
Pneumatic medicine, 188-91
de Poederle, Baron, 61
Porcelain, 272, 273
Port Jackson, 142, 216, 219, 232,

234, 235, 238, 240
Porteous, Henry, 112
Portland, Duchess of, her mu-
seum, etc., 65, 66
Portlock, Lieutenant N., 137
Portsmouth, 105, 135, 151
Portugal, n, 97, 102, 103
Price, Major William, 193
Priestley, Dr. Joseph, 24 n, 85-8,

210
Pringle, Sir John, M.D., P.R.S., 21,

22, 45, 57, 6 1 ; notice of him,

55.56
Puankhequa, Chinese merchant,

266
Pulteney, Sir William, 264

Q

Queen Caroline, of Naples, 198,

201, 202, 204, 205
Queen Caroline (wife of George II),

272
Queen Charlotte studies botany,

83. 193. 196, 304

Radnor, Earl, 208!

Raffles, Sir Thomas S.f 273, 282,

296

Raleigh Travellers' Club, 152, 153
" Ralph Robinson," 100
Rask, Erasmus, 250
Rawdon, Lord, 145
Ray, John, naturalist, 117
Ray, Martha, 43
Redinger, Curious Animals, 182
Reeves, John, horticulturist, 282
Regent's Park, 283
Reichard, — , geographer, 278
Reikjavik, Iceland, 33, 245, 250,

252

INDEX

345

Rennell, Major James, 151, 282,

287, 291

Rennie, John, engineer, 278, 311
Revesby, Lines, 3, 4, 8, 12, 37,

69, 304-17. 323
Reynolds, John, artist, 16
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 160
van Rheede, H., botanist, 117 n
Rio Janeiro, 17, 20, 21
Roberts, James, 16
Robertson, Dr. William, historian,

36.
Robison, Dr. John, 162

Rodney, Lord, 122

Roentgen, 152

Romney Marsh, 104

Rosse, Lord, 287

de Rossel, Captain, 192

Rotterdam, Banks on visit there,

36

Rowlandson, T., 179
Roxburgh, Dr. William, botanist,

xi, 114-16, 118
Roxburghshire, 55
Roy, General, 45, 79
Royal Academy, 178 n, 209
Royal Botanic Society, 283
Royal Geographical Society, 152,

294
Royal Horticultural Society, 260,

261, 317-20, 331
Royal Institution, 258-60, 300
Royal Society, 10, 12, 14, 15, 21,

39, 42, 48, 49, 50, 54, 55, 56, 57,

58-61, 72etseq., 91, 97, 118, 120

125, 158, 170, 174, 178, 179,

I9I-2, 198, 207, 209, 211-12,
25S~9. 28l, 288, 292-3 301-2,
325. 326

Royal Society Club, 70, 90, 281
Rumford, Count, 210, 258, 259
Rumph, Georg E., botanist, 117
Russell, Alexander, botanist, 116
Russell, Claud, 116
Russell, John, R.A., 331
Russell, Dr. Patrick, botanist,
115, 116-20

St. Andrew's, Fifeshire, 55
St. Helena, in, 112, 113, 129,
137. 159

St. John's, Newfoundland, u
St. Paul's Cathedral, 35, 160 ;

Churchyard, 85
St. Petersburg, 146
St. Vincent, W. Indies, 120, 121,

122, 137, 228, 229
Salisbury, R. A., horticulturist,

261

Salt, Henry, 283-6
Samulcotta, India, 114
Samwell, David, with Cook's last

voyage, 53
Sandwich, John Montagu, fifth

Earl, 9, 15, 22, 23, 25 n, 26 n,

41, 43 n, 49. 50, 215
Sandwich Islands, 144
Sandsinding, W. Africa, 152
Sardanapalus, quoted, 297
Sauer, Martin, 146
Savigny [? a cutler], 176
Savu, 17
Scarborough, 47
Scoffers and scoffing, 172 et seq.
Scoresby, Captain William, 282,

294

Scotland visited, 32, 34

Scott, George, draughtsman, 151,
152

Scott, Sir William, 160

Scurvy, Captain Cook and, 49

Seville, 106

Shaftesbury, Lord and Lady, 208

Shakespeare tavern, 119

Shannon River, 144

Sheep and wool, 102-8, 219-21,
308 et seq.

Sheerness, 25

Shepherd, Rev. Dr. R., 162 .

Sherborne, Lord, 105

Ships : Adventure, 27 n, 39, 40,
167 ; Amphion, 209 ; As-
sistance, 137, 140; Bounty,
40 n, 129, 130, 133-7; Bridge-
water, 235 ; Cato, 235 ; Chat-
ham, 144 ; Congo, 279 ; Crescent
151; Cumberland, 235, 236;
Discovery, 49, 51, 53, 54,
143, 144, 146 ; Endeavour,
17, 20, 21, 28-9, 32, 65, in ;
Gtographe, 233 ; Guernsey,
35 ; Investigator, 230, 231, 233,
238 ; Lady Nelson, 232, 251 ;
Margaret and Anne, 251, 252,
254 ; Niger, 10 ; Orion, 252,

346

INDEX

254 ; Otter, 237 ; Pandora, 135
Porpoise, 226, 229, 233-5
Prince of Wales, 140, 141
Princess Royal, 140 ; Provi
dence, 137 ; Resolution, 24-7
39, 40, 44, 45, 49, 53, 54, 129
146, 214 ; Rising Sun, 167 n
Sappho, 251 ; Sirius, 216
Supply, 216; Talbot, 252, 253
Union, 103

Ships provided with gardens,
1 26 e/ seq.

Siam, 114 n, 115

Sibthorp, Humphrey, botanic pro-
fessor at Oxford, 7, 8

Sibthorp, John, botanist, 7

Sierra Leone Company, 153, 155

Silbury Hill, Wilts, 13

Simpkin, of the Crown and
Sceptre, 70

Sinclair, Sir John, 100, 105, 106,
107, 159, 308

Skalholt, Iceland, 33

Skard, Iceland, 33

Skelton Castle, Yorkshire, 48

Sloane, Sir Hans, his botanical
collections, 13, 66, 98

Smeathman, Dr. Henry, 71

Smeaton, John, engineer, 160

Smith, Dr. Adam, 162

Smith, Christian, botanist, 279

Smith, Christopher, botanist, 138

Smith, James, of Norwich, 257

Smith, Sir James Edward, 212,
257. 299

Smith, John (of Kew), 145

Smith, J. T., 324

Smith, Dr. Robert, master of
Trinity College, Cambridge, 8

Snart, — , 109

Soane, Sir John, 287

Society of Antiquaries, 158, 159,

315

Society of Arts, 10, 100 n, 120,
121, 122, 124, 125, 158

Society Islands, 128

Soho Square, 4, 38, 62, 64, 71, 90,
187, 192, 242, 257, 259, 287,
288, 291, 292, 316, 319, 324

Solander, Daniel C., 16, 17, 20-2,
27-30, 32-4. 37. 39. 45. 56-7. 62,
64-6, 97, 1 1 8, 174, 176, 213, 290

Solomon, King, 157

Somerset, Duke of, 258

Souter, Captain, 167 n

South Africa, 97

Spalding, Lines, 313

Spalding Gentlemen's Society, 4,

313
Spanish wool, 102 et seq., 219, 220,

310

Spilsby, Lines, 313
Spithead, 130, 237
Sporing, Henry, draughtsman,

1 6, 20
Spring Grove, Heston, 91, 145,

261, 293, 297, 300, 305, 316-321,

330

Staff a, 33, 92

Stanhope, Rt. Hon. Edward, 306
Stanhope, Lady Hester, 282
Stanhope, J. Banks, 306
Stanfield, Lines, 3
Staunton, Sir George T., 268, 270,

271-3, 292

Steele, Joshua, 124, 125, 138
Stephensen, Magnus, 245, 247, 250
Stephensen, Olaf, 245, 248, 250
Stillingfleet, Benjamin, botanist,

13

Stixwould, Lines, 3
Straungiorde, Iceland, 33
Strawberry cultivation, 261, 32 in
Streatham, Surrey, 41
Stuart, Andrew, 145
Stukeley, Dr. William, 3, 315
Sturt, Humphrey, of Crichel, 13
Suffolk, 310

Sumatra, 274, 282, 290, 291
Sunda- Straits, 129
Surinam, 168
Sussex, Duke of, 287
Sutton, Captain, 103, 104
Suttor, George, 4, 229, 328
Sydney, N.S. Wales, 213, 217, 226
Sydney, Lord, 126, 215

Tahiti [=Otaheite]
Tangier, 216
Tankerville, Lady, 83"^
Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, 12
Tasmania, 253
Tattershall, Lines, 3
Taunton, Somerset, 13
Telescope, Herschel's, 63, 64

INDEX

347

Thames River, near Chelsea, 6
Thames and Severn Canal, 99
Thompson, Benjamin [= Count

Rumford]

Thompson, R., 104
Thunberg, C. P., botanist, 65, 97
Tibet, 270, 298
Tierra del Fuego, 17, 19
Timbuctoo, 152, 284
Timor, 134, 233, 236, 241
Tobago, W. Indies, 120
Tobermory, 33
Tomkinson, Captain, 237
Torres Straits, 17, 137
Tothill Fields prison, 253
Totnes, Devon, 3
Townley, Charles, 38
Trampe, Count, 252
Tranquebar, 45, 115, 116
Transit of Venus, 1769, 14, 17,

20

Tripoli, N. Africa, 147, 149
von Troil, Uno, 32, 33, 68 ; his

Res a till Island, 34
Truro, 177
Tuckey, Lieutenant J. K., 278,

302

Tupia, Otaheitan native, 20
Turner, Dawson, ix
Turtle story, 70
Tyrrell, — , 45
Tyrwhitt, Sir Thomas, 265
Tyson, Rev. Michael, 43, 57
Tyssen, — , 306

U

Ulloa, naturalist, 195, 196
Upsala, Sweden, 32, 34, 97 n, 155

Valentia, Lord (=Mountnorris),

283, 284, 286

Vancouver, George, 40, 143-5
Van Diemen's Land ( = Tasmania)

230, 236, 240, 242
Vauxhall songs, 70
Vidoe, Iceland, 250
Vine culture in Australia, 229
Visiting tickets, collection of, 198,

323

V izagapatam , 1 1 6

W

Walcot, packet agent, 103

Walden, — , 26

Wales, tour in, 37

Wales, William, astronomer with

Cook's second expedition, 27, 40
Wallen, Matthew, horticulturist,

122, 123
Wallich, Nathaniel, botanist, 274,

282

Walpole, Horace, 173, 174, 175
Walter, John, founder of The

Times, 166
Wardle, Colonel, 107
Warren, C., 77
Waterton, Charles, naturalist, 301,

302
Watson, Richard, Bishop of Llan-

daff, 145

Watson, William, M.D., 10, 63
Watt, James, engineer, 191, 278
Wedgwood, John, 260, 261
Weld, C. R., quoted, 15, 56, 73,

78, 79, 255, 260
Wells, Somerset, 13
West Indies, 97, 126, 129, 137,

145 ; botanic gardens there,

1 20 et seq., 138, 159
West, James, P.R.S., 10
Westall, William, artist, 230, 235
Weymouth, 108

Wharton, Admiral Sir W. J. L., 31
Whewell, Dr. William, F.R.S.,

quoted, 59
Whitby, 54

White, Rev. Gilbert, 16
Wilber force, William, 153, 154
Wiles, James, botanist, 138
Willis, Browne, antiquary, 3, 4
Willughby, F., naturalist, 117
Wilna, 171
Wilson, H. H., 287
Wiltshire, 105

Wimbledon, Surrey, 277, 319
Winchilsea, Earl of, 259
von Windischgratz, Count Joseph

Nicolas, 83, 85
Windham, Rt. Hon. William, 160,

212

Windsor, 64, 67, 91, 109, 272, 311
Winterton, Lines, 313
Witham River, Lines, 312
Withering, William, botanist, 225

348

INDEX

Wollaston, Dr. William H., 78, 301
Wolcot, John, M.D. [Peter Pindar],

177, 178

Wood, Sir Mark, 264
Woodford, E. A., 212
Wool, 99, 1 02 et seq., 219-21 309

et seq., 320

Woolwich, 35, 74, 292
Worsley, Sir R., 38
Wright, Dr. William, 247

Yakutsk, 146
Yarmouth, 247

Yonge, Sir George, 113, 121, 136,

215

York, 46, 314

Yorke, Sir Charles, 238, 285
Young, Arthur, 100, 159, 308-10,

3i6
Young, Dr. George, horticulturist,

1 20, 121, 122

Zaire River [= Congo], 279
Zimmermann, Henry, 53
Zoffany, J., 24, 25

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