306 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



at the southern extremity of the Wolds, gave to the house 

 a grand view of wood and the illimitable pastures of the 

 fen-land. The pretty village, ranged on two sides of an 

 unusually spacious green, was famous for its cricket- 

 matches ; and for a yearly Fair which drew the country- 

 folk in great numbers from villages near and distant. 

 The parish church was in the classic or Italian style, 

 dating from I735. 1 



Sir Joseph Banks really loved his country home. From 

 August to the end of October in every year he revelled 

 in farming and gardening, and in country pursuits and 

 pleasures. He always attended the village Fair, and 

 with some state ; bringing with him a lively house-party. 

 The Squire would drive round and round again, accom- 

 panied by his Lady, buying generously at the booths, 

 and distributing his purchases among the visitors who 

 flocked thither in their hundreds. This was one of the 

 most popular Fairs in the county. At Revesby it was 

 a day of real old-fashioned festivity, when Mummers and 

 Morris dancers vied with up-to-date entertainers in 

 making the most of a joyous day. 



Sir Joseph Banks to Mr. Tyssen. 



" LINCOLN, September n, 1805. 



" MY DEAR SIR, The ladies beg me to assure you and 

 your sister that we shall be happy to see you both at 

 Revesby at the time you have appointed ; and we all 

 hope that you will manage your affairs so as to let us 

 have as much of your company as you can spare, . . . 

 The town is full of gaieties here. We have two Races and 

 an Assembly for every day, and gentlemen who ride their 



1 A handsome new Decorated church was built by the Rt. Hon. 

 Edward Stanhope, in 1891. The old mansion was destroyed, and the 

 present fine Elizabethan building raised in its place by Mr. J. Banks 

 Stanhope, in 1849. 



