94 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



his opportunity. Under his care the grounds flourished 

 as they had never done before. 



George III shared the affection of his mother for Kew 

 palace and gardens, and fell in with her pursuits with 

 zest, improving the premises and extending the planta- 

 tions. Some of Sir William Chambers's buildings yet 

 remain, in a style far removed from any fashion of our 

 own days ; but by no means inelegant, even in an age 

 which has practically forsaken the seductive forms of 

 palladian ornament. After the death of the Princess 

 Dowager, the King bought the freehold of the house she 

 had occupied. Some weeks later, when Banks came on 

 the scene, and horticulture was found to have a common 

 interest for the two, he fell into the position of Royal 

 Adviser generally at Kew. 



All that energy and intelligence could supply was now 

 given to the improvement of the gardens. From the day 

 when Banks had a tacit control of affairs, the acquisition 

 of rare and curious flowers, and the discovery of useful 

 Economic plants became his constant purpose. Without 

 overshadowing the merits of the famous nurserymen 

 of the day, or the praiseworthy efforts of those of the 

 gentry who practised planting, Kew offered a perennial 

 stimulus to emulation. His devotion to Kew was among 

 the most signal benefits which Banks's career gave to his 

 country. 



A matter to which his attention was early directed 

 was an expansion of the system of importing exotic plants. 

 Hitherto acquisitions had depended upon the offerings 

 of returned travellers, and upon occasional purchases 

 from the professional nurserymen. By these means there 

 was always scope for the gradual accumulation of rare 

 and beautiful plants. From his own newly acquired 

 knowledge of the strange and varied types in vegetation, 

 so many of which might be transplanted to other lands, 

 Banks conceived the notion of making Kew the depository 



