LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. XI 



himself, Gustavus III., to prevent its expatriation. This monarch 

 had been absent in France, and on his return, finding that this 

 precious possession, as bright a jewel as any in his crown, was 

 actually on board ship, and on its way from his shores, to become 

 the property of a humble young foreigner, and to adorn the science 

 of another country, he sent in all haste a vessel to the Sound, to 

 intercept its voyage. Happily for us he was too late. The good ship 

 had sailed, and the precious cargo was safely landed at our Custom- 

 house in October 1784, ten months after the first offer was made. 



The possession of these important documents — for the specimens 

 themselves, as well as the literary portion of the collection, must 

 be considered in 'this light — soon attracted the attention of men of 

 science, both in this country and on the Continent, and drew from 

 many of the most distinguished naturalists of the day letters of 

 warm congratulation. Sir Joseph Banks, who had already evinced 

 a sincere friendship for the young naturalist, encouraged him in a 

 manner which must have been most gratifying to him. He became 

 a Fellow of the Royal Society, with the entire concurrence of the 

 President, in May of the following year. 



It was now an object of great interest and importance to render 

 the collection as available as possible for the advantage of science, 

 by giving to naturalists free access to it for consultation and com- 

 parison. The young physician, after having made his well-known 

 tour on the Continent, of which he has left a very pleasing pub- 

 lished account, and during which he received the most flattering 

 attention from all the eminent botanists of Europe, determined 

 after his return, with the concurrence and earnest cooperation of 

 many of his distinguished friends, to form a new Society for the 

 cultivation of Natural History, and to render more available for 

 general utility the treasures which he had lately obtained. In 

 pursuance of this object, the Linnean Society was formed, under 

 the auspices of his friend Sir Joseph Banks, the President of the 

 Royal Society, Dr. Groodenough, afterwards Bishop of Carlisle, 

 Mr. Marsham, and others. The first Meeting, which may be con- 

 sidered as initiatory, was held at the Marlborough Coffee-house, 

 near Dr. Smith's own residence, on the 26th of February, 1788. 

 After this period we cease to find his name recorded at any of the 

 meetings of the Natural History Society, where he had often pre- 

 viously presided, and which did not long survive the institution of 

 its more effective and influential rival. At this meeting the only 

 persons present were the Founder, Dr. Goodenough, Mr. Dryander, 

 Mr. Dickson, Mr." Beckwith, and Mr. Swainson^ Dr. Smith was 



