MEMOIR. xlvii 



At length, however, his anxieties for the welfare of the 

 great circumnavigator were relieved by the news of his 

 safe and prosperous return ; and on the 19th of July, 

 1771, he gives expression to his satisfaction in writing 

 to the same friend in the following gratulatory terms *: 

 " Yesterday I had a letter from town which mentions the 

 return of Mr. Banks ; and adds that he looks as well as 

 ever he did in his life. So agreeable an event calls for 

 my warm congratulations ; for if we rejoice at the arrival 

 of a friend who has been absent but a few months, per- 

 haps in a neighbouring kingdom, how shall we express 

 ourselves when we see one restored, as it were, from the 

 other world, after having undergone the astonishing 

 hazards and dangers that must attend the circumnavi- 

 gation of the world itself!!! " In another letter to Pen- 

 nant, Sept. 25 of the same year, he says*, " Pray present 

 my humble respects to Mr. Banks, and tell him I heartily 

 congratulate him on his safe return from his astonishing 

 voyage. The world expects great information from his 

 discoveries during his circumnavigation." 



The innumerable treasures of natural and artificial 

 objects of interest brought home by Banks on his return 

 from his celebrated voyage in 1771 were deposited and 

 partially arranged in his house in Burlington Street; 

 and in the following year a long letter to Gilbert White 

 from his friend Mr. Sheffield gives an account of a visit 

 he had paid to Banks, with a general description of this 

 invaluable collection. This letter, which was enclosed 

 in one to Samuel Barker from his uncle, will be found 

 in the second volume. 



It is almost impossible to exaggerate the merit of this 

 truly great man, who devoted his time, his talents, his 

 ample fortune, and his personal comfort and safety to the 

 * Omitted from Letters XXXV. and XXXVI. 



