160 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE nes 



"Even Mr. Banks (notwithstanding 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." 



Again, in another letter to Pennant under date 

 October 8th, 1768=^ — 



" I met with a paragraph in the newspapers some weeks 

 ago that gave me some odd sensations, a kind of mixture of 

 pleasure and pain at the same time. It was as follows : 

 ' On the 6th day of August, Joseph Banks Esq., accompanyed 

 by Dr. Solander, Mr. Green the astronomer, &c., set out for 

 Deal in order to embark aboard the * Endeavour,' Captain 

 Cook, bound for the South Seas.' 



" When I reflect on the youth and affluence of this enter- 

 prizing gentleman I am filled with wonder to see how con- 

 spicuously 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 landman ! May we not 

 hope that this strong impulse, which urges forward this 

 distinguished naturalist to brave the intemperance of every 

 climate, may also lead him to the discovery of something 

 highly beneficial to mankind? If he survives, with what 

 delight shall we peruse his Journals, his Fauna, his Flora ! 

 If he falls by the way, I shall revere his fortitude, and 

 contempt of pleasures, and indulgences: but shall always 

 regret him, though my knowledge of his worth was of late 

 date, and my acquaintanceship with him but slender." 



• These passages occur in the original letters to Pennant, which became 

 Letters XVII. and XX. of ' The Natural History of Selborne.' 



