ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 249 



sen, together with a present of books and prints. Stephen- 

 sen asked " a hundred questions about him in the most 

 affectionate manner." Then he related anecdotes of 

 what passed during Banks's stay in the island thirty- 

 seven years ago, in a way " which at once convinced us 

 of the excellence of his memory, and of his gratitude and 

 high esteem for the benefactor of Iceland." Hooker was 

 told how most of the islanders imprisoned during the war 

 had been supplied with money until they could return 

 to their own country. Wherever he went on his travels, 

 the fact of Hooker visiting Iceland under an introduction 

 by Sir Joseph Banks opened the hearts of all, and made 

 his progress one of overwhelming hospitality. They 

 could not show enough pleasure and alacrity in paying 

 attention to him. And, " if at any time we flagged in 

 drinking, ' Baron Banks ' was always the signal for 

 emptying our glasses." The more learned classes in 

 Iceland were strongly affected by the memory of 1772 ; 

 and several poetical addresses were printed in honour of 

 the visitors. 



Mr. Hooker's sole piece of bad luck was very bad. 

 He lost all his botanical treasures by fire on his way 

 home. 



Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. W. J. Hooker. 



" REVESBY ABBEY, October i, 1809. 



" MY DEAR SIR, I condole with you sincerely on the 

 failure of an expedition, from which, however, you must 

 derive honour in the opinion of those who know you, 

 and no inconsiderable accession to their good opinion 

 of your talents and your resources. The decision with 

 which you entered into the undertaking, the promptitude 

 with which you carried your preparation into execution, 

 and the alacrity with which you encountered the hazard 

 of a voyage, are deeply impressed upon my mind, and 

 have decided me to attempt to gain your friendship which 



