314 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



agreeable and familiar conversation he says to me, ' My 

 countryman, I will undertake your business for you, and 

 make the best enquiry I can. . . .' " x 



Nor was Sir Joseph less zealous in archaeological studies 

 of his county. As far back as the year 1786 he was collect- 

 ing materials for a history of Lincolnshire. Dr. Hunter, 

 of York, appears to have been helping in the matter. 

 Richard Gough also was associated in the project. But 

 county histories are more easily talked of than accom- 

 plished ; and all that remains of this effort has got into 

 the custody of the British Museum. If, however, he 

 found this undertaking impossible with so many calls 

 upon his time and energies, he was always on the alert 

 if any relic of old times was unexpectedly revealed, or 

 some effort was to be made to preserve the precious 

 heritages of the past. A difference of opinion with the 

 Dean and Chapter of Lincoln supplies an amusing instance 

 of the heat which Banks could put into a question when 

 he felt strongly on the point at issue. 



The twin spires which formerly surmounted the western 

 steeples of the Cathedral were demolished, in the year 

 1807, on the ground that the appearance of the building 

 would be thereby improved. There was a good deal of 

 local indignation over the matter. Naturally, one side 

 supported the Cathedral authorities ; the other side 

 deemed it an act of sacrilege. Sir Joseph proposed an 

 Association for the purpose of " compelling those persons " 

 to repair and restore the spires, if a sufficient fund could 

 be raised. He caused a small copper plate to be engraved, 

 of the Cathedral standing with two shadowy ghosts of 

 the departed spires. He further committed himself to 



1 Notes on William Fowler (Hull, 1869). This Mr. Fowler was worth 

 notice. He made some fine drawings of mosaics and stained -glass 

 windows, which were submitted to the Society of Antiquaries. Banks 

 remarked of them, " Others have shewn us what they thought these 

 remains ought to be, but Fowler has shewn us what they are : and this is 

 what we want." 



