248 Presidentship of Sir Joseph Banks 1815 



himself up to the pursuit of botanical studies. Having 

 some wealth he purchased the whole of the library and 

 natural history collections left by Linnaeus, and sug- 

 gested the foundation of the Linnean Society. When 

 that Society was inaugurated he was chosen as its first 

 President, and he continued to be re-elected annually until 

 his death in 1828. His collections and library, including 

 those of Linnaeus, were then purchased by private sub- 

 scription for the Linnean Society, in whose keeping they 

 now remain. 



Another fresh guest was James Millingen the antiquary, 

 who, born in London of Dutch parentage and educated at 

 Westminster School, was taken to France by his father 

 about the time of the French Revolution. He was employed 

 for a while in the Paris mint, and there acquired a taste 

 for studying coins and medals. But by a decree of the 

 Convention he with other British residents was arrested 

 and kept in prison until the end of the war. On being 

 set at liberty he joined one or two of his fellow country- 

 men in setting up in Paris a bank which in a few years 

 had to be wound up. He then betook himself to turn 

 his knowledge of numismatics to practical use, and eventu- 

 ally acquired an European reputation as an expert dealer 

 in coins and medals. His weak health obliged him to live 

 mostly in Italy, but he reappeared from time to time in 

 Paris and London. He compiled a number of useful works 

 dealing with h'.s favourite subject. The value of these 

 publications was acknowledged by his being elected not 

 only into our own Society of Antiquaries but into many 

 similar institutions abroad. He was granted a civil list 

 pension. He died at Florence in 1845. 



Sir George Warrender, Bart., a landed proprietor in East 

 Lothian, dined twice with the Club in the course of the year, 

 and between the two dinners he was on 8th June elected 

 a Fellow of the Royal Society. Lord Charleville, Dr. Thomas 

 Young, Mr. Croker, Admiral Bligh, Mr. Brodie and Mr. 

 Watt were among the former visitors who came again this 

 year to dine. 



