46 Biographical Memoir of the late Sir Joseph Banks. 



was the veneration in which his name was held, wherever it was 

 known, that the draft was received like specie, and generously 

 honoured hy Sir Joseph Banks, though drawn without his per- 

 mission. 



At home, his Sunday evening converzationes were attended by 

 persons the most celebrated in literature and science, v/hatever 

 their rank in life ; his valuable library was more accessible than 

 that of any public institution ; and he was always ready to give 

 his advice, or to communicate his opinion, on every subject con- 

 nected with science, Mr. Dibdin, in his Biblioj^raphical Deca- 

 meron, justly says, ' The incomparable library of Natural History 

 of Sir Joseph Banks, in which, as in a wood of ancient growth 

 and primeval grandeur, amidst insects of all hues, reptiles eithei 

 nocuous or innocuous, and wild beasts that walk abroad or " love 

 the lair," you may disport at ease, arid solace yourselves without 

 injury, and to your heart's delight. Such a collection should not 

 be suffered to be dissipated ; as neither years nor centuries can 

 erase the name of the owner of it from the records of imperish- 

 able fame.' , 



For some years Sir Joseph Banks was much afflicted with the 

 gout ; and during the last few months liis health was so much on 

 the decline, that he expressed a wish to resign the office of Presi- 

 dent of the Royal Society. He was induced however to retain it 

 until his death. 



Sir Joseph in person was tall and manly, and his countenance 

 expressive of dignity and intelligence. His manners were polite 

 and urbane; his conversation rich in instructive information, 

 frank, engaging, unaffected, and wilhput levity, yet endowed with 

 sufficient vivacity. His information was general and extensive. 

 On most subjects, he exercised the discriminating and invenllve 

 powers of an original and vigorous mind ; his knowledge was not 

 that of facts merely, or of technical terms and complex abstrac- 

 tions alone, but of science in its elementary principles, and of na- 

 ture in her happiest forms. 



Sir Joseph Banks was a member of the Privy Council, and a 

 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. As he has died 

 without issue, the Baronetage has become extinct. He has left 

 the whole of his property to Lady Banks, during her life, with 

 the exception of some few legacies, and a pension of 200Z. per 

 annum, to Mr. Brown, his secretary. To the nation he has be- 

 queathed his valuable library, a«d a name that it vyill never cease 

 to cherish while science is encouraged or respected. 



VIII. No- 



