EUROPEAN FAME 197 



render them worthy the honour I solicit for them and 

 for me." 



Sir Joseph further wrote to Jussieu, telling him that 

 the British Government had, after much pressure, 

 consented to waive belligerent rights in the present case. 

 The following remarkable passage is, we conceive, 

 biographical matter : a confession worthy of being 

 placed along with other testimony to Banks's frank and 

 generous character : 



" I confess I wished much to have from his specimens 

 some of those discoveries in the natural order of plants 

 which he must have made ; but it seemed to my feelings 

 dishonourable to avail myself even of the opportunity 

 I had of examining them. ... I shall not retain a leaf, 

 a flower, or a botanical idea of his. I have not possessed 

 myself of anything at all of his that fortune committed 

 to my custody." 



Banks's conduct on this and similar occasions was 

 never forgotten, when an orator sought inspiration 

 for a eulogy of British generosity. After the death of 

 La Billardiere [1834], the story of this adventure was 

 once more told. 



The affair of the naturalist Dolomieu gave another 

 occasion for Banks's intervention, which he was enabled 

 to offer through his old friend Hamilton. 



Sir William Hamilton was an attached friend of 

 Banks, for perhaps thirty-five years. When in residence 

 at the Court of Naples, he was a frequent correspondent. 

 His letters range over such matters as volcanoes and 

 natural curiosities, vases, books, politics, gardening, and 

 Emma Hamilton ; together with minor topics, as the 

 defective points in the character of the Neapolitan 

 Court and people, and repeated invitations of Banks to 

 visit Italy. He was on leave in England in the autumn of 



