254 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



than could reasonably be expected ; and more, too, than 

 he perhaps deserves. I think, too, from some hints that 

 have escaped you, that you pity him in his present situa- 

 tion, and that you would not object to hear of his im- 

 mediate release ; but, at the same time, that it would 

 be neither consistent nor proper for you to do any more 

 for him. ... I feel my situation with regard to Jorgen- 

 sen a very peculiar one. His exertions on board the Orion 

 most undoubtedly saved my life and those of the rest of 

 the passengers of the Margaret and Anne. Besides that 

 his pleasant manners and goodness of heart have excited 

 in me a friendship for him which I would be glad to make 

 use of in his behalf, but which I will never do if contrary 

 to your wishes." 



Jorgensen reappeared in 1813, called upon Mr. Hooker 

 at Halesworth, and was entertained there. Here (he says) 

 in " the quiet retirement of this country residence," he 

 shut himself up and " wrote an account of the Icelandic 

 revolution, and presented it to Sir Joseph Banks." 



Banks read the papers sent him, and appears to have 

 thought there was much to be said on both sides. He 

 tells Hooker that the man has opened a correspondence 

 with him; has written a story of the Revolution, and 

 " wishes to place it in my library. I said that if on perusal 

 I did not find anything improper I should comply with 

 his request." A month later he writes that he has no 

 further concern with Jorgensen : " his good or ill-fortune 

 will be alike indifferent to me. It is not my wish to exercise 

 the office of an avenger, and I thank God it is in no shape 

 my duty to interfere in his case further than I have done." 1 



1 The papers handed to Banks are doubtless those preserved in the 

 British Museum (Egerton MSS., 2067-69). Since writing the above we 

 find that they have been partly utilized in literary form : The Convict 

 King, being the life and adventures of Jorgen Jorgensen, monarch of 

 Iceland, Naval Captain, Revolutionist, British Diplomatic Agent, Author, 

 Dramatist, Preacher, Political Prisoner, Gambler, Hospital Dispenser, 

 Continental Traveller, Explorer, Editor, Expatriated Exile, and Colonial 

 Constable, By J. F. Hogan (London, 1876). 



