REVIVAL OF BOTANICAL EXPLORATION 271 



My own opinion leans to the probability of his obtaining 

 the crown of martyrdom much more readily than a 

 single convert to the Cross.'* 



The new missionary went out in the following year : 

 no other than Robert Morrison. Far from incurring 

 martyrdom, he captured hearts everywhere, even among 

 the higher Chinese. 1 Sir Joseph Banks introduced him 

 to Staunton, and commended him to such friendly 

 countenance and aid as his situation in the factory 

 would permit. 



Perhaps a closer bond between Banks and his friends at 

 Canton was porcelain. Lady Banks was an ardent and 

 intelligent collector. Banks himself became a by no means 

 inadequate authority on the subject. According to 

 Sir John Barrow, he left among his papers a " curious, 

 interesting, and well-written history and art of the 

 manufacture of porcelain by the Chinese, illustrated by a 

 very select and extensive collection of choice and varie- 

 gated specimens that were in the possession of Lady 

 Banks." Doubtless this MS. is still in existence, hoarded 

 by a Collector of another sort, and it would repay 

 examination. For the present, some of our readers will 

 peruse an extract from Banks's first letter to Mr. Lance 

 with considerable interest. 



Sir Joseph Banks to David Lance, Esq. 



" SOHO SQUARE, August 30, 1803. 



" MY DEAR SIR, ... At Lady Banks's desire I enclose 

 to you the paper you will receive with this. She is a little 

 old-china mad. But she wishes to mix as much reason 



1 Translator to the East India Company. Interpreter to Lord 

 Amherst's Mission (1817). Wrote a Chinese Grammar, compiled a 

 Dictionary, and translated the Bible into Chinese. Died at Canton, 

 August, 1834. 



