120 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



"But I mean [he says] to re-examine them all." He 

 presently published an Account of Indian Serpents. 

 (London, 1796.) 



It would fill many interesting volumes to recount the 

 adventures of Banks's wandering friends. The above 

 short detail will serve to indicate the vitality of all that 

 was going on behind the scenes ; while people at home 

 were reaping the fruits of these arduous labours, and re- 

 joicing in the sight of new and beautiful additions to their 

 gardens. 



The islands of Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent, and 

 Tobago having been ceded to Great Britain at the Peace 

 of 1763, General Robert Melville was appointed His 

 Majesty's Governor-in-Chief. He entered upon his duties 

 on arrival at Grenada in December, 1764. 



While making a tour of his Government, in the summer 

 of 1765, the General reached St. Vincent's, and met there 

 Dr. George Young, principal medical officer of the Island, 

 and Surgeon to the Forces. Both of these men were 

 examples of the public spirit which was a mark of the 

 times. Melville suggested to the Doctor that now was 

 the opportunity of establishing a Botanical Garden. 

 A fit situation on suitable soil, with running water acces- 

 sible, might easily be chosen for the purpose. The culti- 

 vation and improvement of many plants now growing 

 wild, and the importation of others from similar climates, 

 would be of great utility to the public, and vastly improve 

 the resources of the Island. The Society of Arts made 

 known by advertisement that they would give a premium 1 

 for the improvement of horticulture in the West Indies. 



1 The Society of Arts made a feature of their operations the giving 

 of rewards of this kind. Between 1752 and 1776 they distributed either 

 in medals or cash no less than 24,616. The Society filled a place in 

 matters of practical economy, which the Royal Society did not under- 

 take. 



