MEMOIR. xlv 



Captain Cook, which occupied from August 1768 to 

 June 1771 is manifested in several of his letters to 

 Pennant and to his other friends. Writing to Pennant 

 on his return from a visit to London, on the 18th of 

 June, 1768, he says *, " While in town, I was often in 

 company with your friend Mr. Barrington, and cannot 

 say enough in commendation of the candour and affa- 

 bility of that gentleman. Even Mr. Banks (notwith- 

 standing he was so soon to leave the kingdom and 

 undertake his immense voyage) afforded me some hours 

 of his conversation at his new house, where I met Dr. 

 Solander." In another letter to Pennant, dated October 

 8th, 1768, he writes * " I met with a paragraph in the 

 newspapers some weeks ago that gave me some odd 

 sensations a kind of mixture of pain and pleasure -at 

 the same time. It was as follows: ' On the 6th day of 

 August, Joseph Banks, Esq., accompanied by Dr. Solan- 

 der, Mr. Green, the astronomer, &c., set out for Deal, in 

 order to embark on board the " Endeavour," Captain 

 Cook, for the South Seas.' 



" When I reflect on the youth and affluence of this 

 enterprising gentleman, I am filled with wonder to see 

 how conspicuously the contempt of dangers and the love 

 of excelling in his favourite studies stand forth in his 

 character. And yet, though I admire his resolution, 

 which scorns to stoop to any difficulties, I cannot divest 

 myself of some degree of solicitude for his person. The 

 circumnavigation of the globe is an undertaking that 

 must shock the constitution of a person inured to a sea- 

 faring life from his childhood; and how much more that 

 of a landsman! May we not hope that this strong im- 

 pulse, which urges forward this distinguished naturalist 



* These passages occur in the MS. of the respective Letters XVII. 

 and XX., but were omitted in publication. 



