286 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



elapsed before he yielded to the now prevailing opinion : 

 that the antiquities offered were really of high value. 



It was during the progress of this controversy that 

 Hamilton, in a letter to Lord Valentia (now Mountnorris), 

 used the expression that has sometimes been quoted 

 about Banks : " Sir Joseph, you know, is a man of a 

 word and a blow." Doubtless, he had acted hastily, and 

 without having obtained an expert opinion. Banks 

 could not be called an expert in Egyptian sculptures, as 

 such ; although he was well versed in some lines of 

 archaeology. Since, however, his prestige was so great 

 in everything that concerned the Museum, even Hamil- 

 ton (who knew everything about this class of antiquities) 

 was compelled to wait ; while he did his best to soften 

 matters for Salt. The great probability is that Sir 

 Joseph's powers were failing, certainly as to memory. 

 By November, he was writing to Lord Mountnorris in a 

 tone which simply denotes a concern that Salt's treasures 

 be secured. " One of Salt's statues " (he says) " has 

 arrived. It is the one he values at 800,* consequently 

 in his opinion the best he has. I am taking measures to 

 have it removed to the British Museum and placed there 

 in public view, preparatory to the arrival of the rest. The 

 other is now in a cellar in the city. I went with Combe 

 in the hopes of seeing it, but found the stairs too narrow. 

 He saw it, and considers it far the best Egyptian work 

 he has seen, Memnon excepted. The General Meeting of 

 the Trustees will very soon take place. I shall then make 

 Salt's proposal, which will I hope be instantly accepted." 



Banks's death occurred seven months later. The busi- 

 ness lagged, and it was not until May, 1822, that the 

 Trustees decided to take the Collection, according to 

 a valuation which was forthwith to be made ; excepting 

 the alabaster tomb, on account of the high price put upon 



1 " Life-like sitting figure in marble, from Carnac, a perfect imitation 

 of nature ; the seat covered with hieroglyphics." H. Salt. 



