80 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



failed to sacrifice such resentment as rose among them 

 to the good of the general cause in which they felt them- 

 selves embarked ; for, although some individuals among 

 them have heretofore indulged their feelings by appealing 

 to the public when they imagined the welfare of the 

 Body at large was in danger, they never once attempted 

 to convert the meetings instituted for the advancement 

 of knowledge into assemblies of debate and contro- 

 versy." 



There was a deal of pamphleteering on this absorbing 

 topic, while the newspapers and magazines took their 

 share in the conflict. The general public was amused ; 

 and, while it lasted, the matter gave unwonted glee to 

 the classes who thought they could afford to laugh at 

 philosophers squabbling. Of these ephemeral publications 

 that of Dr. Kippis, who appears to have here summed 

 up the case, perhaps 4 shows the best literary merit. 1 

 Of the final conclusion of the case, he observes : " The 

 man who, for a course of years, and without diminution, 

 preserves the affections of those friends who know him 

 best, is not likely to have unpardonable faults of temper. 

 It is possible that Sir Joseph Banks may have assumed 

 a firm tone in the execution of his duty as President of 

 the Society, and have been free in his rebukes, where he 

 apprehended that there was any occasion for them." 



A few years after these occurrences there was question 

 of Bishop Horsley's election to some Club, and of Banks's 

 possible black-ball. In reply to his correspondent, 

 Banks says : " For me, even had I been injured, custom 

 would have allowed me to forgive. But, in truth, I was 

 not. I was seated more firmly in my Chair by the 



1 Observations on the late contests in the Royal Society (London, 1784). 

 Dr. Andrew Kippis (F.R.S., 1771), was a very able dissenting pastor, 

 and led an active and useful literary life. He is now best remembered 

 by an attempt to found a complete Biographica Bntannica ; and by an 

 excellent account of the Life and Voyages of Captain Cook (London, 1788, 

 and still reprinted). 



