PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 61 



dating with scientific men ; and being a good linguist, 

 and having travelled over Europe as a tutor, was well 

 equipped for such company. His work lay chiefly in 

 perfecting optical and mathematical instruments. Having 

 joined the Royal Society in 1774, he proved a very useful 

 member. Magellan writes (December 28) : " . . . I have 

 received many congratulations from my friends abroad, 

 on account of your election of President, and particularly 

 from Messrs. Mann, Needham, Baron de Poederle, etc. 

 This last came to London together with the late Duke 

 of Arenberg, and I accompanied them to your house in 

 Burlington Street, a little after your circumnavigation 

 with Captain Cook. You made a present of various 

 curiosities to the Duke, which he deposited in the cabinet 

 of Prince Charles at Bruxelles. The following are the 

 words of the first, viz. Mr. Mann : ' Notwithstanding my 

 sincere regard and respect for Sir John Pringle, whose 

 civilities to me in London I shall never forget, I must own 

 that Mr. Banks 's election to that Illustrious Chair gave 

 me the most sensible pleasure and satisfaction. I esteem 

 him, and love him from my heart, and in return he 

 honours me with a particular friendship, which I will do 

 my best to cultivate. His character and great celebrity 

 will do honour to the Society.' ' 



Sir William Hamilton to Joseph Banks. 



" CASERTA, February 9, 1779. 



" DEAR BANKS, I have been these two months in pur- 

 suit of Boars, Wolves, Foxes, Ducks, Woodcocks, and 

 Snipe, with His Sicilian Majesty. The sum total of the 

 chase in last month is really frightful : 6922 pieces. The 

 King is the coolest and best shot I ever knew. 



' Your election to the Presidency of the Royal Society 

 gives universal satisfaction, and me a very particular 

 one, Mr. President. 



