White.— The Travelled Goat. 209 



Art. XV. — The Travelled Goat : a Great Lexicographer, a 

 Celebrated Painter, and a Distinguished Botanist. 



By Taylor White. 



[Read before the Hawke's Bay Philosopliical Institute, 13th October, 



1902.] 



It seems to me a remarkable fact that, if my thoughts are 

 directed to any particular poiut or occurrence of which I have 

 had no previous knowledge, I will almost simultaneously meet 

 with this, or similar, information from several sources. Lately, 

 in looking over a number of copies of the Live Stock Journal, 

 or possibly the Field, dating back some twenty or more years, 

 I came across the mention of the death of a goat which was 

 notable from its having accompanied Captain Cook in his 

 two voyages to New Zealand and round the world, although I 

 forget what date was mentioned. Within a fortnight's time, 

 on looking through Boswell's " Life of Johnson," I find men- 

 tion of this same goat again, as follows : — 



To Sir Joshua Reynolds. 

 Dear Sir,- Feb. 27, 1772. 



Be pleased to send to Mr. Banks, whose place of residence I do 

 not know, this note, which I have sent open, that, if you please, you 

 may read it. When you send it do not use your own seal. 



I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, 



Sam. Johnson. 

 To Joseph Banks, Esq. 



Perpetua ambita bis terra praemia lactis 

 Hcec habet altrici Capra secunda Jovis.* 



Sir,— Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, Feb. 27, 1772. 



I return thanks to you and to Dr. Solander for the pleasure 

 which I received in yesterday's conversation. I could not recollect a 

 motto for your Goat, but have given her one. You, Sir, may perhaps 

 have an epick poem from some happier pen than, Sir, Your most humble 

 servant, Sam. Johnson. 



To New-Zealanders anything relating to the early history 

 of their country is of interest, especially such as is connected 

 with Captain Cook's voyages ; and the value of the service 

 rendered by this animal in producing its small quota of milk 

 may be estimated by our knowledge that sailors and voyagers 

 at that time were greatly subject to scurvy, owing to unsuit- 

 able food, and this difficulty and privation is made very evi- 

 dent when Mr. Banks, in his diary, tells us that, Captain Cook 



being then very ill, a dog belonging to Mr. was killed and 



turned into soup for the nourishment of the sick man, who 

 received great benefit thereby. 



* " Thus translated by a friend : — 



In fame scarce second to the nurse of Jove, 



This Goat, who twice the world had traversed round, 

 Deserving both her master's care and love, 



Ease and perpetual pasture now has found." — [Boswell.] 

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