CAPTAIN FLINDERS AND ROBERT BROWN 243 



true man of genius, in whom imaginative power is wedded 

 to alert habits of observation. Lonely plant-hunting 

 in the wilds ; accumulating an enormous number of 

 examples ; following with a careful arrangement accord- 

 ing to existing authorities : these things might be under- 

 taken by many an ordinary mortal, gifted with the 

 necessary habits of intelligence and industry. Genius 

 once more went in advance of the ordinary mortal. And 

 Genius, as is its wont sometimes, woke up to find itself 

 famous. 



Brown became librarian to Sir Joseph Banks, after 

 the death of Dryander in 1810. Henceforth he is an 

 inmate of the house in Soho Square, and his public life is 

 largely mingled with the remaining career of Sir Joseph. 

 They were close friends until the end. Brown had a 

 remarkably gentle and lovable disposition, and was 

 blessed with troops of friends, who adhered to him 

 through a long and useful life. This ended as late as 

 1858, so that there are veterans still living who were 

 among his associates. 



Banks's library and collections were transferred to the 

 British Museum in 1827, Mr. Brown being appointed 

 keeper. 



