46 MEMOIR OF 



gout, so much so, that he required to be lifted in 

 and out of his carriage by two footmen. He at 

 first tried ginger in very large quantities, until 

 he acknowledged " he had fairly exhausted all 

 its virtues." He then had recourse to a more 

 questionable remedy, the much vaunted quack 

 medicine, the eau medicinale, but with little ulti- 

 mate benefit, though he at first flattered himself 

 it had afforded him relief. Being at length 

 exhausted, he expired on the 9th of May, 1820, in 

 the 78th year of his age. 



His zeal for the interests of science extended 

 beyond his life, for in his will he devised his very 

 valuable and extensive library and foreign cor- 

 respondence to the British Museum; * his drawings 

 of plants from the Royal Garden at Kew to that 

 establishment ; his papers respecting the Royal 

 Society, to the Royal Society ; and those respect- 

 ing coinage to the Mint; and to Mr Frederic 

 Bauer, who had for thirty years been in his employ 

 as a botanical draughtsman, an annuity of L.300, 

 upon condition of his continuing the series of 

 drawings of the plants from Kew Gardens, upon 



* The Banksian Library is placed in the 5th, 6th, and 

 7th rooms of the upper floor of the Museum ; and in the 

 entrance hall is a statue of Sir Joseph, by Chantrey, 

 representing him in the vigour of youth, seated in an arm- 

 chair, holding a scroll in his right hand. It was presented 

 by his personal friends. 



