6 BANKS. 



manners of the natives in the Society Islands had been examined, 

 and the singular state of their society ascertained. Their products, 

 vegetable, mineral, and animal, as well as those of New Holland, 

 New Zealand, and New Guinea, had been fully explored, and a con- 

 siderable share of the fame, which accrued to Captain Cook and his 

 associates in the enterprise, was due to Mr. Banks, who brought 

 home a splendid collection of specimens from those countries. 



No sooner had Mr. Banks returned from this expedition than he 

 commenced, with unabated vigour after a few months repose, pre- 

 parations for another. Having been prevented from joining Captain 

 Cook's second expedition, chiefly through the influence of Sir Hugh 

 Pallisser with the admiralty, he undertook the equipment of a ship 

 at his own expense ; and, taking with him Dr. Solander, Dr. Lind, 

 Dr. Von Troil, a Swedish naturalist, and others, he sailed for Iceland 

 in 1772. After exploring during two months that interesting region 

 of volcanoes he returned to England, enriched with many valuable 

 specimens, and still more valuable information respecting the pro- 

 ductions of the country. A fine collection of books and manuscripts 

 were purchased and presented by Mr. Banks to the British Museum, 

 and Dr. Von Troil, in whose hands Mr. Banks, with his wonted 

 aversion to literary fame, left the subject, published a full and inter- 

 esting account of the voyage. 



A great part of the knowledge resulting from the various travels 

 of Mr. Banks were communicated by him, at different times, in 

 papers to the Royal Society, of which he had been elected a fellow 

 as early as the year 1766. On the resignation of Sir John Pringle, 

 in 1778, Mr. Banks was elected President of this Society, an honour 

 he continued to hold until his death. During the whole of his life 

 Sir Joseph enjoyed the favour of the king, forming a kind of con- 

 necting link between his scientific compeers, and the courtly circles 

 of the aristocracy. In 1781 he was made a baronet; in 1795 was 

 invested with the order of the bath ; and, in 1797, became a member 

 of the privy council. He did not, however, engage much in politics, 

 but used the influence he had acquired chiefly in the promotion of 

 scientific objects, and the encouragement of those who pursued 

 them. 



Sir Joseph Banks's published works bear little proportion either 

 to his scientific labours or his exertions on behalf of learned men, 

 nor are his real claims to the gratitude of posterity much known. 

 He it was who may truly be said to have planted and founded the 

 colony of Botany Bay. He was the real founder of the African 

 Association, and by his scientific exertions the productions of other 

 climates were diffused over each portion of the globe. Thus he 

 brought over into Europe the seeds of the South Sea lands, having 

 previously distributed to the latter those of Europe. To him are 

 we indebted for many of the beautiful plants which adorn our 

 gardens and shrubberies. The sugar-cane of Otaheite was trans- 



