MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 57 



(who are stated to have come originally from Sweden,) had 

 been settled in this country. It seems, however, agreed, 

 that his grandfather was a medical, practitioner of some cele- 

 brity in Lincolnshire, and that he acquired a considerable 

 fortune by his practice, and represented the city of Peter- 

 borough in one or two parliaments. 



The subject of our present memoir was sent at an early age 

 to Harrow, and from thence to Christ's College Oxford. His 

 father dying in or before 1761, he was left at the age of 

 eighteen, without restraint, with a handsome fortune at his 

 own disposal. His principal estates were situated in Lincoln- 

 shire, and he devoted himself with great zeal to the improve- 

 ment of this property, particularly in draining and embank- 

 ing it. 



Sir Joseph appears at an early age to have imbibed a taste 

 for natural history. At first botany was his favourite pursuit, 

 and he seems to have cultivated this study with a considerable 

 degree of ardour. It is related that in the course of one of 

 his botanical expeditions, when much fatigued he fell asleep, 

 and was seized by police officers as a suspected person, and 

 taken before a magistrate, who was not a little amused at the 

 adventure. 



In 1 768 the scientific expedition under the command of 

 Captain Cook was planned ; and although the chief object 

 which the promoters (of whom George III. was the chief,) 

 had in view was the advancement of geographical and astro- 

 nomical knowledge, Sir Joseph Banks was anxious to avail 

 himself of the opportunity of adding to the stores of natural 

 history ; and, influenced by this motive, he resolved to ac- 

 company the expedition. Accordingly he made the most 

 ample preparations, at his own expense, for the undertaking, 

 and engaged Dr. Solander and other scientific persons to 

 accompany him. 



Most of our readers are no doubt acquainted with the in- 

 teresting discoveries and amusing adventures which resulted 

 from this expedition. Many will remember with what de- 

 light they first read the history of Captain Cook's voyages ; 

 and throughout this history they will no doubt recollect the 

 frequent and honourable mention of the subject of our present 

 memoir, and the justly earned tribute paid to the great zeal 

 and activity displayed by him throughout the progress of the 

 voyage. 



As might be expected, they met with many interesting ad- 

 ventures in the course of their travels. On the coast of Terra 

 del Fuego Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander narrowly 

 escaped perishing in a storm of snow in which they were 



