54 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



and " Discovery" Captain James Cook and Charles Clerke, 

 Esq., commanders. Kept by Thomas Edgar, Master. 



This story is preceded by an account of the ship 

 Resolution ; how it was built at Whitby, and was a year 

 and a half old when bought into the service in 1776. 

 (Additional MSS., 37528.) 



George Forster was commissioned to do the German 

 translation. He was now at Cassel, having found a 

 respectable Professorship, which afforded much better 

 prospects than he seemed able to get in England. 

 Although he had returned to the Fatherland, Forster 

 was greatly attached to this country. He wished to 

 honour its people to the best of his power. From his 

 correspondence it is clear that Banks appreciated all this, 

 and continued a fast friendship with a man of real merit. 

 He sent to Forster early sheets of Dr. Douglas's book. 

 In the event, a good German story was produced, which 

 was as popular, perhaps, in the Fatherland as the topic 

 was on this side of the water. Though Germany at that 

 time had few or no sailors, they frankly appreciated the 

 great credit that Englishmen were deriving from the 

 exploits of their seamen. Forster mentions, under date 

 January 10, 1781, that he had a very ample detail of the 

 late voyage, from the mouths of two Germans who made 

 the voyage as common sailors. 



