362 SIJR JOSEPH BANKS. 



British Museum. Dr. Von Troil, who afterwards became 

 Archbishop of Upsal, published a full and interesting 

 account of the voyage. Mr. Banks left the subject in 

 his hands with his wonted aversion to the pursuit of 

 literary fame, and his undervaluing of all but the exer- 

 tions required to perform great or useful actions. 



After his return to England, he settled in London, 

 except the short period every summer which he passed at 

 Revesby, his seat in Lincolnshire. His hospitality in 

 the country was quite unbounded, and extended to all 

 parties and all classes. His house in Soho Square was 

 with its noble library, and precious collection of maps, 

 drawings, and engravings, connected with botany, and the 

 various branches of natural history, always open to the 

 student and the author. Foreigners as well as natives 

 were ever his welcome guests, and it was his delight to 

 be surrounded by the cultivators and the promoters of 

 science in all its branches. 



In 1777, Sir John Pringle resigned his office as Pre- 

 sident of the Royal Society, and in Nov. 1778, Mr. 

 Banks was chosen his successor. He lost no time in 

 devoting himself with his accustomed ardour to the duties 

 of his high station, and for some years his administration 

 was carried on with general approval. But the person 

 who undertakes to reform abuses in any public depart- 

 ment, must lay his account with making enemies; and 

 though these may be at the first few in number, and of 

 little weight, they form a centre, around which will soon 

 gather all, who on any account are discontented ; all who 

 regard a superior with envy or an exalted equal with 

 jealousy; not seldom all who would fain displace him, 

 and succeed to his station. So it fared with Mr. Banks ; 



