44 MEMOIR OF 



eloge, has gratefully recorded it : " Lorsque la 

 discorde," says M. Cuvier, "cut mis fin a T expedi- 

 tion d'Entrecastiaux, et que les collections de M. de 

 la Billardiere furent transporters en Angleterre, 

 il reussit a se les faire remettre ; et non settlement 

 il s' empressa de les renvoyer ici, il ajouta a tant 

 de soins la delicatesse de les renvoyer sans meme 

 les avoir regardees. II auroit craint d'enlevir 

 ecrivoit il a M. de Jussieu, une seule idee 

 botanique a un homme qui etoit alle les con- 

 querir au peril de sa vie. Dix fois des collec- 

 tions adressees au Jardin du Roi, et prises, par 

 des vaisseaux Anglais, furent recouvrees par lui et 

 rendues de la meme rnaniere ; il envoya jusqu' au 

 Cap de Bonne Esperance pour faire relacher 

 des caisses appartenant a M. de Humbolt, qui 

 avoient ete prises par des corsaires, et n* a 

 jamais voulu en recevoir le remboursment." His 

 Majesty's anger was, however, speedily dis- 

 sipated, for he had ever a particular regard for 

 Sir Joseph, who for many years superintended 

 the royal stock of Merino sheep, and presided at 

 their sale by auction, which annually took place 

 at Windsor. 



Sir Joseph Banks had always been partial to 

 agricultural pursuits, and had turned his practical 

 knowledge to great advantage, by the draining of 

 the Lincolnshire fens, a measure which very mate- 

 rially improved the value of his estates. He was 



