ROUND THE WORLD WITH CAPTAIN COOK 15 



best for the observation were Madras, Hudson's Bay, and 

 an island in the Pacific Ocean. The Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany granted a passage in one of their vessels ; and the 

 Admiralty fitted out ships for the use of the other parties. 

 The immortal James Cook, then a lieutenant, R.N., 

 was chosen to take the company to the southern seas ; 

 accompanied by Charles Green, the astronomer. Alexan- 

 der Dalrymple, hydrographer to the Admiralty, one of 

 the first geographers of the age, missed this chance of being 

 associated with this famous expedition : he was willing 

 to go in full charge, as it was first proposed ; but he in- 

 sisted on the rank of captain, which the Admiralty re- 

 fused, and his nomination was withdrawn. 



Lord Sandwich was then at the head of the Admiralty ; 

 a man having every sympathy with the undertaking. 

 This circumstance had much to do with the generous and 

 ready aid of his Department. His young friend Banks 

 was not less concerned in the success of the affair. It was 

 not long before Banks came to think seriously of taking 

 a personal share in it. He proposed to the Council of the 

 Royal Society that he should join Lieutenant Cook ; and 

 it would appear, from their official application to the 

 Admiralty, that there was as much personal regard for 

 their patriotic Fellow as there was satisfaction with his 

 liberal offer. 1 



Banks's friends, generally speaking, were interested 

 and elated with the prospect of his voyage. But there 

 were some who urged him warmly to relinquish the 

 idea, and make the Grand Tour of Europe instead. His 



1 " The Council have appointed Mr. Charles Green, and Captain 

 Cook, who is commander of the vessel, to be their observers ; besides 

 whom, Joseph Banks, Esq., Fellow of the Society, a gentleman of large 

 fortune, who is well versed in Natural History, being desirous of under- 

 taking the same voyage, the Council very earnestly request then* Lord- 

 ships, that in regard to Mr. Banks's great personal merit, and for the 

 advancement of useful knowledge, he also, together with his suite, 

 being seven persons more (that is, eight in all) together with their 

 baggage, be received on board of the ship in command of Captain 

 Cook." Weld : History of the Royal Society, II, 38. 



