ICELANDIC AFFAIRS 251 



higher importance, raising the standard of intelligence 

 and of enterprise. 



The affairs of Iceland were not easily lost to the atten- 

 tion of Sir Joseph Banks. An entirely new sensation 

 arose at the period of Hooker's visit. 



There was one Jorgen Jorgensen, an Anglo-Dane, who 

 had served as able seaman under Flinders (1802-5), an d, 

 according to all report, a first-rate able seaman, in the 

 tender-ship Lady Nelson. He saw a good deal of life and 

 adventure in New Holland and the adjacent seas ; and 

 doubtless the fame of Banks was familiar to his mind, 

 seeing the associates that he had. He brought to Eng- 

 land, in 1806, two New Zealanders and two Otaheitans, 

 and introduced them to Sir Joseph, who " cheerfully 

 took charge of them, defrayed all their expenses, and 

 placed them under the care and tuition of the Rev. 

 Joseph Hardcastle." 



Jorgensen presently returned to Copenhagen. We 

 find him, in the following year, captain of a Danish 

 privateer, prize to H.M.S. Sappho, after a sturdy fight. 

 Coming to London as a prisoner under parole, he lost 

 no time in paying his respects to Sir Joseph Banks. 

 At that time, Banks was concerned in the providing food 

 and stores to the Icelanders. There was a Mr. Phelps, 

 a London merchant, who undertook this trade ; and in 

 December, 1808, he made a successful venture, with 

 Jorgensen in command. The island was simply neglected 

 by the Danes, and our visitors had a " most grateful 

 welcome from the starving inhabitants." A second 

 voyage was undertaken early in 1809. Mr. Phelps himself 

 was on board (perhaps as captain), with Jorgensen for 

 supercargo. The ship also carried Mr. W. J. Hooker, 

 who had been induced by Banks to make the botanical 

 tour in the island, already mentioned. 



The Margaret and Anne, bearing letters of marque, 

 and carrying a shipload of provisions and dry goods, 



