312 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



The interest in this affair never flagged while George III 

 was able to have a personal share in it. 



When the King's last illness was confirmed, Sir Joseph 

 began to relinquish his own occupation as a farmer. It 

 is easy to understand that he was now become out of 

 touch with it, now that the King was no longer in touch 

 with him. After so long a period of collaboration in utili- 

 tarian matters of all sorts, it is not unlikely that life was 

 losing one of its first incitements. Yet, Banks's wonder- 

 ful natural energy prevailed. In some respects, the years 

 of his life after the sixtieth were not less devotedly at his 

 country's service, and hardly less efficient ; as we have 

 seen. For one thing, the improvement of sheep appears 

 not to have reached anything like finality. It must needs 

 go on. He could not cease to be a farmer, after all. 

 Some time in 1811 a Merino Society was started in London, 

 with Sir Joseph as President. How long it lasted is not 

 easy to say. But for two or three years Reports of its 

 doings were issued to the public. 



The number of local interests in which Banks had 

 a share is astonishing. He devoted himself to Lincoln- 

 shire while he was at home. The Fens were drained, a 

 process extending over many years. The Horncastle 

 Canal was constructed ; the Witham navigation was 

 improved ; Boston harbour was deepened and renovated, 

 and brought into line with the needs of a busy port. At 

 Louth a woollen manufactory was established, with the 

 view of utilizing Lincolnshire wool only. In fact, the 

 whole county felt the influence of Banks's energy and his 

 liberal views concerning the public weal. As all this 

 went on for a period of nearly sixty years, the people 

 of Lincolnshire had an unusual regard for their leading 

 Squire, and held his name in veneration long after his 

 death. Happily, his successors at Revesby have kept up 

 the tradition of his good work. 



The people of Horncastle keep his memory green. 



