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MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BART, G. C. B. P. C. AND PRESIDENT <29A
- OF THE ROYAL SOCIET
mih bo vao TESWITH A PORTRAIT.)

IF to unite a love of science, personal activity, energy of mind, and a fortune commensurate with the pursuits of its possessor, be the best qualifications for a modern philosopher, we may safely aver that no individual of the present day possessed these requisites, in the aggregate, to a greater extent than the subject of our biography, whose recent loss will be felt by all the scientific. world, but most especially by that learn ed and patriotic body over which he has presided for upwards of forty years, with a reputation throughout Europe, nay the universe, fully equal to that which he has maintained at home, in spite of the opposition of some of his coadjutors, the malevolence of others, and the poetical satires of one who, with a refined taste for literature, and a genuine love of art, was unfortunately rather the Thersites than the Juvenal of his day.

Not even excepting the great Swedish Naturalist, it may with justice be asserted, that Sir Joseph Banks was the most active philosopher of modern times. For this he was peculiarly fitted by nature, not only in mental abilities, but in bodily powers. Tall and well formedzin person, he bade defiance to fatigues, manly and expressive in countenance, he spoke confidence to his companions in enterprize; whilst his dignity and intelligence were ready passports to conciliation and friendship. Of later years, indeed, old age and the gout, in some measure, checked his personal exertions but his mind was ever active, as his purse was always open, for the cause of science.

His family is said to have been of noble Swedish extraction; and the first, of whom we find any account, was Simon Banke, who, in the reign of Ed ward III married the daughter and heiress of Caterton, of Newton, in Yorkshire. From him descended Robert Bankes, who, in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., was an eminent attorney at Giggleswick; and whose sous distinguished themselves on the king's side in the civil wars. Since that period, Sir Joseph's ancestors have intermarried with the families of Frank land, Hancock, Whichcote, and Hodg kinson, of which latter the fortune was possessed and the name borne by his father, an estimable country gentleman, NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 79.

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residing principally at his seat in Line colnshire, Revesby Abbey, about 22 miles E. S. E. of Lincoln, and seated on high grounds amongst the fens, over which it has a most extensive prospect. This house is nearly on the site of a Cistertian monastery, which, at the dissolution, was granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, from whom it passed to the Burleighs, afterwards to the Howards of Berkshire, and from them it was purchased by an ancestor of the late possessor. There Sir Joseph, an only son, with one sister, was born on the 13th December, 1743.

His school education passed rapidly over, and he was sent to Oxford at a very early age, where he soon formed a strong attachment for natural history, a love for which was then spreading over Europe in consequence of the writings of Linnæus; and in that science he speedily displayed a great proficiency, in addition to the general pursuits of liberal knowledge. His ardent ambition, to distinguish himself as an active promoter of his favourite pursuit, soon bes gan to manifest itself; and his collegiate course being completed at the early age. of twenty, he nobly resolved to forego the parade of courts, the glitter of fashion, and the pleasures of a town life, for the investigation of Nature in her wildest haunts, and in her most incle ment regions.

This was in 1763, when he left Eng land on a transatlantic voyage to inves→ tigate, during a summer trip, the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador; both of which, though frequented by fishermen, were then unknown, it may be said, to the philosophic world. In this pursuit he acquired, or improved, those habits of investigation excited by the contemplation of rare and novel objects; and he found his difficulties and dangers fully compensated by numerous additions to his cabinet of natural history: whilst those very difficulties, dangers, and deprivations, served to fit him for further exertions in the cause of science.

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It were much to be wished that some literary friend of the venerable President may yet furnish to the world some race. count of this first expedition from his papers. Even at the present moment Labrador is very little known, except

VOL. XIV.

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from some slight observations of the late Sir Roger Curtis, when a lieutenant in the navy; and more recently from the pen of the late Captain Cartwright, but who seems to have dedicated his time solely to hunting, or to the commercial details of a fishing establishment.

After his return, he became acquainted with the much-esteemed Dr. Solander, a Swedish gentlemen, the pupil of Linnæus, who had recently visited London with strong letters of recommendation, which, in addition to his philosophical merit, soon procured him an appointment in the British Museum, then first established.

Thus occupied in various scientific pursuits until the year 1767, having previously become a member of the Royal Society, his desire for further investigation of new worlds was again excited by the plan proposed by that learned body, for observing the expected transit of Venus on some island of the South Sea groupes; then lately introduced to public notice by the recent voyages of Byron, Wallis, and Carteret: part of a system of discovery and nautical research, instituted upon the most liberal and public-spirited principles by our late revered Sovereign, who was scarcely seated on his throne, when he determined to avail himself of the courage and abilities of British seamen, to set at rest for ever all the geographical doubts and theories of the learned world.

No sooner did Mr. Banks understand that the Endeavour, commanded by Captain (then Lieutenant) Cook, was equipping for her voyage, and intended to prosecute further discovery after the observation of the transit, than he determined to embark in the expedition, not only to satisfy a laudable curiosity, but also in the hope of enriching his native land with a tribute of knowledge from countries yet unknown, and on whose rude and uncultivated inhabitants he might bestow something that would render life of more value, by an acquaintance, though at first a limited one, with the arts and productions of Europe.

Speaking of Sir Joseph and his philosophical friend, Captain Cook himself says, "In this voyage I was accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander; the first, a gentleman of ample fortune; the other, an accomplished disciple of Linnæus both of them distinguished in the learned world, for their extensive and accurate knowledge of natural history. These gentlemen, animated by

the love of science, and by a desire to pursue their enquiries in the remote regions I was preparing to visit, desired permission to make the voyage with me. The Admiralty readily complied with a request that promised such advantage to the world of letters. They accordingly embarked with me, and participated in all the dangers and sufferings of our tedious and fatiguing navigation."

Mr. Banks, indeed, entered upon his preparations with a most generous spirit; providing himself with two draughtsmen for landscape and figures, and for natural history, Messrs. Buchan and Parkinson, a secretary, and four servants, together with all the necessary books, instruments, &c.; whilst at the same time every convenience and accommodation were readily and liberally afforded by government. The Endeavour sailed from Plymouth Sound on the 26th of August, 1768; and even between the Lizard and Cape Finisterre, our philosophers commenced their additions to natural history, not only investigating many marine animals, previously unknown to naturalists, but also discovering a bird, undescribed even by the accurate Linnæus, and evidently blown from the land, as it expired in Mr. Banks's hand, from apparent exhaustion. This new species of wag-tail Mr. Banks very appropriately called by the name of motacilla velificans, saying that none but sailors would venture on board a ship that was going round the world.

On their arrival at Madeira, Mr. Banks had the satisfaction of receiving permission for himself and Dr. Solander to search the island for natural curiosities, and to employ persons to take fish and gather shells, which time would not permit them to collect for themselves; a permission which the ignorant jealousy of the Portuguese only granted through the urgent solicitations of Mr. Cheap, the British consul.

Our limits forbid us to trace all Mr. Banks's observations on this interesting island, but we cannot omit the whimsical ignorance of the nuns of Santa Clara, who appear to have supposed that philosophers must be conjurors, inquiring of them, when on a visit to their grate, when it would thunder, whether a spring of fresh water were to be found within the walls of their convent, and several other questions equally absurd and extravagant; the philosophical silence upon which, did not tend to raise

our men of science high in their esti

mation.

Passing by Teneriffe, they proceeded towards the Cape de Verd Islands, Mr. Banks taking every opportunity of adding to his stores of natural history, both aquatic and aërial; and thence, crossing the Atlantic towards the coast of Brazil, they arrived at Rio Janeiro in November.

Here Mr. Banks's hopes and expectations were completely frustrated by the ignorant stupidity, and obstinate political jealousy of the Portuguese governor, who, understanding that there were men of science on board, not only refused them permission to reside on shore, but even to land from the ship. Even when they attempted to go on shore to pay a formal visit to the viceroy, they were prevented by the guard boats; nor was Mr. Banks's own memorial on the subject attended with any better suc

cess.

In this dilemma, with a world of new creation before his eyes, and the very Tantalus of philosophy, his first resource was to send some of his servants on shore at break of day, who came off after dark in the evening with so many plants and insects, that he and Dr. Solander were induced to evade the vigilance of the guard-boats, and go on shore themselves the ensuing day; Dr. Solander getting admittance into the town in the character of surgeon of the ship, at the request of a sick friar, where he received many marks of civility; whilst Mr. Banks got on shore in the country, but did not venture towards the city, as his objects of pursuit were in the fields and hedges, where he made considerable acquisitions.

It was understood, however, the next day, that the officers of government were making a strict search after some persons who had been on shore without permission, and accordingly our philosophers determined to remain on board, in preference to a Brazilian prison.

They sailed on the 7th of December; and no sooner had the guard-boat left them, than Mr. Banks most impatiently availed himself of the opportunity of examining the islands at the entrance of the bay, where he collected many species of rare plants, and a most brilliant variety of insects.

Proceeding towards the south, nature began to open upon them in her most gigantic attire. Beds of sea-weed were met with, to which they gave the name of Fucus Giganteus, upwards of

one hundred feet in length of stalk; and immense numbers of insects were caught blown off from the coast of Patagonia. Approaching Terra del Fuego they passed through Straits Le Maire, where Lieut. Cook afforded Mr. Banks every possible opportunity of making observations, sending him and his attendants on shore, and standing off and on with the ship when he could not anchor.

The Endeavour now put into Good Success bay to wood and water, when many curious observations were made on the rude inhabitants of that wild district. Whilst lying there, Mr. Banks and his companions had nearly perished, in an excursion to the mountains in search of plants. Mistaking their route on their return, in a snow-storm, though then the middle of summer in that hemisphere, they were first checked in their progress by Mr. Buchan falling into a fit, which forced them into a chain of circumstances that led to their passing the night upon a woody mountain, exposed to cold, hunger, and fatigue, under which a seaman and a black servant of Mr. Banks expired; and it was with the greatest difficulty that Dr. Solander was saved. During the whole of this trying scene, the activity, spirit, and presence of mind of Mr. Banks were most admirable; owing to which alone did the whole party escape from perishing.

Whilst passing round Cape Horn, and in their route to the north-west, Mr. Banks made great additions to the science of ornithology, he having himself killed no less than sixty-two birds in one day; and as they approached the immense, and then new, Archipelago of the South Sea Islands, the first land

seen

was discovered by his own servant, Peter Briscoe, to which, from its shape and appearance, was given the name of Lagoon Island. Running through a number of new islands, the recently-discovered land of Otaheite was seen on the 10th of April, 1769, the island to which they were directed to proceed for the observation of the transit which was to take place on the 3d of the ensuing June.

During his long residence amongst a newly-discovered people, lively, bold, and not half-civilized, Mr. Banks distinguished himself much by his activity, good temper, and conciliatory manners, which tended much to the comfort and success of the expedition. He soon became a great favourite with the chiefs, and indeed with all ranks, as his

leisure gave him more opportunities of cultivating their acquaintance and friendship than Cook could possibly spare from his professional avocations. He became, of course, the friend, the mediator, and the umpire upon all occasions of doubt and difficulty which could not fail to occur in a situation so novel. With the ladies, too, he was great favourite; and a whimsical scene once occurred upon a visit to one of the chiefs whose wife, Tomio, the moment they sat down, did our philosopher the honour to place herself close by him, indeed on the same mat. Unfortunately the high-bred dame,like some of her sisters in our world of fashion, was not in the first bloom of her youth, nor did she exhibit any traits of ever having been a beauty: he therefore manifested no extraordinary gratitude for those "public marks of distinction; but seeing a very pretty girl in the crowd, and not adverting to the dignity of his noble companion, beckoned to her to come and sit by him. After a little coquetry the girl complied, when, seated between his rival queens, he unfortunately paid all his attentions to the latter, loading her with beads and with every showy trifle that he thought would gratify her. This soon produced evident marks of disappointment in the countenance of his more elderly chere amie, yet she persevered in her civilities, assiduously supplying him with the milk of the cocoanut, and such other dainties as were within her reach, evidently with the design of taking his heart or his trinkets, if not by storm at least by sap, when this most ludicrous scene was hastily broken up by the ingenuity of the Barringtons and Soameses of the island, who had emptied the pockets of some of the gentlemen as dexterously as if they had been coming out from the Opera.

This produced considerable confusion, but was, however, at length got over by the judicious conduct of Mr. Banks, which led to the immediate recovery of the stolen goods. So strong indeed was his desire to avoid giving any offence to the natives, with whose customs they were then unacquainted, that when one of his draughtsmen, Mr. Buchan, died, he declined bringing him on shore, and consented to his body being sunk in the offing, which was done with as much decency and solemnity as circumstances and situation would admit of.

The natives soon began to put such

confidence in Mr. Banks, that, as soon as his tent was set up in the little fortification constructed on Point Venus, one of the most powerful chiefs paid him a visit, bringing with him not only his wife and family, but the roof of a house, and materials for fitting it up, with furniture and implements of various kinds, declaring his resolution to take up a residence there; an instance of good-will and confidence highly pleasing, which Mr. Banks used every means in his power to strengthen and improve.

Our philosophers were now busily employed in collecting and preserving such specimens of natural history, in various branches, as they could procure; but in this pursuit they were much annoyed by flies and other insects, which not only covered the paper on which Mr. Parkinson, the natural history painter, was at work, but actually eat off the colour as fast as he could lay it on.

The voyagers were soon gratified by a visit from the well-known Queen Oberea, who then lived separate from her husband, and seemed determined to pay every personal attention to Mr. Banks, who, on one occasion, happened to catch her majesty in a little faux-pas; for, proceeding not very early in the forenoon, to attend her drawing-room in her canoe, he popped unexpectedly into her bed-chamber under the awning; and stepping in to call her up, a liberty which he thought he might take without any danger of giving offence, he discovered there, to his great astonishment, a handsome young fellow of fiveand-twenty. Propriety, of course, induced him to retreat with some degree of haste and confusion, but the lords of the bed-chamber and dames d'honneur immediately informed him, that such occurrences never excited the animadversions of tea-tables, or gave offence to the prudes, nor brought grist to Doctor's Commons, but were as universally known as the most secret arrangements of the same kind in European coteries. Indeed the lady herself was so little affected by the mal-adroit discovery, that she rose and dressed with all expedi tion, and admitting Mr. Banks to her dressing-room, as a mark of special grace, clothed him with her own royal hands in a suit of fine cloth, and proceeded with him to the tents, where she was received with all due respect and ceremony.

Mr. Banks became now the universal friend of all the natives of every rank.

To him they applied in every emergency and distress; and on his assurances, on all occasions, they placed the most implicit confidence. This was of the highest consequence to the expedition, when, a short time before the expected transit, the astronomical quadrant, which was then carried on shore for the first time, was stolen from the tents during the night. The loss of this instrument would have amounted nearly to the total failure of the object in view, and Mr. Banks, who " upon such occasions declined neither labour nor risk, and who had more influence over the Indians than any" of the officers, determined to go into the woods in search of it, accompanied only by a midshipman and Mr. Green, the astronomer. After great fatigue and exertion, and with considerable presence of mind, as detailed in Hawkesworth's account of the voyage, the quadrant was happily recovered, and Mr. Banks had the satisfaction of displaying his zeal in favour, not only of science in general, but of a branch, to which he was not attached by any personal predilection.

We might fill our pages with many whimsical anecdotes of the subject of our biography, during his visit to Otaheite, where he was prominent upon all occasions, but for these must refer the curious reader to Hawkesworth, particularly in regard to some adventures with Oberea, which, after his return, prompted some wicked wit to write to him, or rather to print to him, a poetical epistle from that princess; an epistle attributed to the late Professor Porson, though not correctly, as we have noticed in our biography of that gentle

man.

When the day of observation arrived, Cook, in order to guard against disappointment from cloudy weather, dispatched a party in the long-boat to Eimeo, an island in the vicinity; Mr. Banks, in his indefatigable zeal for science, determined to accompany them, though it certainly was at that time a service of some risk to go with so small a force amongst strangers. Such, how ever, was the confidence with which he himself had inspired the natives, that Tubourai Tamaide, one of the principal chiefs, together with his wife, readily accompanied the little party without fear or apprehension.

So ardent was Mr. Banks in the investigation of every thing novel or curi ous, that he actually consented to act a part in one of their funeral processions,

since upon no other terms could he be permitted to witness it; he therefore officiated in this ceremony in the capacity of Nineveh; for which purpose he was stripped of his European dress, and a small piece of cloth being tied round his middle, his body was smeared with charcoal and water as low as the shoulders, until it was as black as that of a negro. The same operation was performed upon several others, amongst whom were some ladies, who were reduced to a state as near to nakedness as himself; and thus they set forward, not as an European procession, with a crowd at their heels, but driving every body before them with terror and affright; when, after half an hour's marching in silence and solitude, the mourners were dismissed to wash themselves in the river, and to put on their customary apparel.

Preparing for their departure, Mr. Banks most sedulously employed himself in rendering to those gentle islanders all the services in his power; for which purpose he planted a great quantity of water-melons, oranges, lemons, limes, and other plants and trees, which he had collected at Rio Janeiro, leven at the risk of his personal liberty. Nor was his generous care unappreciated by the natives; for having planted some of the melon seeds soon after arrival, these had thriven so well that the islanders pointed them out to him with great satisfaction, importuning him for more seeds, which request, of course, he readily granted.

All ranks were justly partial to him; but one individual became particularly attached, so much so indeed, that he determined to proceed to England in the ship. This was Tupia, who had been prime-minister to Oberea, in her days of active sovereignty when Captain Wallis was there, and who was also the chief Tahowa, or archbishop of the island, and consequently a most interesting individual to bring to England, either for obtaining information respecting Otaheite, or for carrying back again the arts and knowledge of Europe.

For various scenes and anecdotes during their range through new-discovered lands, in their voyage from Otaheite to New Zealand, we must refer to the printed account of the voyage itself, merely noting that the name of Banks was given to an island on that coast by Cook, in lat. 43. 22. S., and lon. 186. 30. W., not very far distant from that point which is the antipodes of London.

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