BANKS AS PATRON OF SCIENCE. IS^ 



The name of AVilliain Herschel, the great astronomer, recalls 

 another instam-e of Banks's jjower and willingness W> help. 

 Herschel was a singularly modest man whose work was in danger 

 of being hampereil through pecuninry difticiiltv. Banks prompted 

 hy Dr. \Vm. Watson, a mutual friend, used his personal influence 

 with the King, the result being that an appointment worth £200 

 a year was found for Herschel, who was also presently received 

 at Court, provided with (luarters at Windsor, and thu< enabled 

 to devote his whole time to his astronomical work. Tiie corre- 

 snondence contains :i number of letters from AV;itson and Herschel 

 to Hanks, in s'Mue of which detailed accounts of Herschel's 

 w^ork a'-e given, indicating that Banks's interest in his discoveries 

 was bv no iiiejins superficial but at times even critical. The- 

 following extracts from the correspmuleiice bear on Herschel's 

 appointment. 



W>n. AVa'son to Sir Joseph Banks. 



" Amon<^ the motives which have induced me to write to you,. 

 I will not conceal my wish that yon may be the persoii to whom 

 my Friend may be chiefly indebted for his success. It was you, 

 who first mentioned him to the King, and occasioned the honour- 

 able invitation he received from him, Finish therefore, Dear Sir, 

 the noble work you have begun, by an application to the King, 

 tlie success of wbicli I cannot douht, and remember that you may 

 feel hereafter the great satisfaction in haxing been the chief 

 instrument in the honourable establishment of so ingenious and 

 excellent a jierson, who has already done so much tlio" fettered by 

 his present profession, & from whom so much more may be 

 reasonably expected, \vhenever his situation shall permit him the 

 undisturbed exertions of his great abilities." 



Bath, June 29, 1782. 



AVm. Herschel to .Sir Joseph Banks. 



"Sir, 



I have been in hopes of soon having the Honour personally 

 to make my acknowledgments to you for the favour of your 

 mentioning 'me to his Majesty in so advantageous a light, but 

 till I have that opportunity will not defer by a few lines to return 

 the sincerest thanks for your kindness. To it, is owing the 

 <>-racious reception 1 have met with from his Majesty, who has 

 i)rovided for me so as to put it now in mv |)ower to devote all 

 mv attention to Astronomy and Optics. It will at all times be 

 mv oreatest amliitiou to endeavour to render myself worthy of 

 the patronage of Sr. J. Banks, and to prove with how much, 

 sincerity and respect I am 



Sir, 



Your most obligM and 

 most obrfdt. Innnhle Servt. 

 Queen's Lodge, Wm. Hersciii:l." 



Windsor, Aug. 26, 1782. 



