22 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



A very cordial friendship arose now between Banks 

 and George III, a circumstance fraught with the greatest 

 benefits to the work of Science. His Majesty habitually 

 consulted Banks on points bearing on the welfare of 

 his people ; while it was the lot of Banks to have his 

 part in the institution of useful schemes, in a quarter 

 where there was likelihood of their being efficiently 

 promoted. 



" The people most talked of at present are Messrs. 

 Banks and Solander." 1 He was certainly much lionized. 

 But the chief gratification was his reception by the 

 scientific world. Dr. Solander likewise came in for 

 proper recognition. Everybody liked Solander in his 

 personality alone ; to meet him at his official post or in 

 Banks 's house was an intellectual treat. 2 



The friendship between Banks and Lord Sandwich was 

 largely consolidated by the great exploit. They were in 

 constant association, mutually interested in horticulture, 

 in useful public projects, and in the welfare of the Navy 

 especially. Sandwich was an able minister of State, and 

 made a splendid chief of the Admiralty. 3 Some time in 



1 Lady Mary Coke : Journal, III, 435 ; IV, 153, etc. This lady met 

 Banks in society several times. She throws a chance light on an un- 

 known side of the young man's character: "August n, 1771, Mr. 

 Morrice was excessively drole according to custom ; and said he hoped 

 Mr. Banks, who since his return has desired Miss Blosset will excuse his 

 marrying her, will pay her for the materials of all the work'd waistcoats 

 she made for him during the time he was sailing round the world." 



2 One of the distant admirers of Banks, who does not come closer 

 into his life, was the clever but wayward Edward Wortley Montagu the 

 younger. Writing to a friend (Feb., 1773) he says : " Good God ! how 

 happy are these gentlemen, in having been so serviceable to mankind. 

 ... I am much obliged to you for the light in which you set me to Sir 

 John Pringle, Mr. Banks, and Dr. Solander ; but you diminish my 

 ardour to be acquainted with them, lest by knowing them they should 

 find me much below the high mark at which your friendship has placed 

 me. However, in the meantime assure them of the real gratitude with 

 which my heart is filled for their good opinion of me." Nichols : 

 Literary Anecdotes, IV, 640, 645. 



3 This : in spite of the partisan traditions, which are reproduced 

 in one cyclopaedia after another. Following Macaulay, writers in 

 allusion to Lord Sandwich roll under their tongues the delicious verbal 



