n6 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



ship was now grown up between them which lasted to the 

 end. In December, 1785, he alludes to the death of 

 Konig, whom all seem to concur in praising with con- 

 siderable warmth. In his last will he left to Banks " all 

 his manuscripts, and specimens of plants, with orders 

 to me to send them by the first safe conveyance ; which I 

 have now done by delivering them to the Governor of 

 Madras with a request they may be sent home addressed 

 to the Directors as part of the ship's packet." After 

 1790 Roxburgh's letters to Banks were very frequent. 

 His indefatigable career in India lasted until 1804. 



The successor of Konig to the post of Naturalist to 

 the East India Company, in the Carnatic, was Patrick 

 Russell, M.D. This was one of three clever brothers from 

 Midlothian. 



Alexander was settled a long time at Aleppo, whither 

 Patrick followed him. They were active in studying and 

 combating the plague. Alexander wrote a History of 

 Aleppo, which was much esteemed at the time, while the 

 leisure of his brother was devoted to Fishes, Snakes, and 

 Plant-life. Claud, the youngest, went to India, appointed 

 administrator of Vizagapatam. Patrick went out with 

 him. From his very arrival, he began writing long letters 

 to Sir Joseph Banks. Every six months an able and 

 amusing chronicle poured forth from his pen. If it were 

 possible we would include the whole of them in our story. 

 As it is, a few extracts must satisfy us ; enough to display 

 the merit of a good and kindly and witty man ; and an 

 indefatigable Botanist who left enduring evidences of his 

 scientific worth. 



On his voyage out, Dr. Russell had leisure to finish 

 the Medical History of Aleppo. 



He reached Vizagapatam in December, 1782. 



". . . We landed at Tranquebar, June 6, and re- 

 mained there till the 22nd. Dr. Konig arrived a few days 

 before our departure, and I had the pleasure of making 



