182 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



objection to your publishing some of them. In answer to 

 which I must inform you that, without entering into the 

 question of the propriety of buying things circumstanced 

 as these were, that I have always considered them as stolen 

 from me in a most unhandsome and illegal manner ; and 

 have held myself ready to prosecute Miller if he should 

 publish them in any shape whatever. So circumstanced, 

 I trust that you will excuse me for refusing my consent 

 to their publication, as I must consider such a measure 

 a material injury to the Journal of my Icelandic voyage 

 obtained at no small expense ; and probably, if leisure 

 allows me hereafter to print it, to be attended with no 

 small emolument. Your faithful servant," etc. 



Mr. Pennant did not reply to Sir Joseph in the proper 

 spirit. There was no pretence of apology for his false 

 step. He only thought, it would appear, of the success 

 of his own project. This is much to be regretted, since 

 the two men had been attached to each other for a good 

 many years. The present episode is, doubtless, the one 

 in question, just alluded to. 



Before presenting Mr. Pennant's letter, it will be in- 

 teresting to see the initial cause of the breach between 

 the two friends. 



John Frederick Miller to Mr. Banks. 



" COWLEY STREET, May 18, 1776. 



" SIR, At the time I was engaged with you to draw 

 your plants you was so obliging as to lend me the volume 

 of Redinger's Curious Animals. Herewith I return the 

 same with my thanks. The bearer of this will also deliver 

 you the picture which you commissioned me to sell for 

 you. 



" When I was with you last Thursday, the i6th instant, 

 I was extremely surprized of your treatment to me. Now 



