112 Transactions, — Miscellaneous. 



Mr. Banks, as is fully shown in a long preface of twenty closely-printed pages 

 containing several letters respecting the whole transaction. Subsequently, 

 Mr. Banks and Dr. Hawkesworth also attempted to stop even its publica- 

 tion by an injunction from the Court of Chancery, which, however, was 

 finally dissolved and the work published. From its extreme scarceness (I 

 having sought more than ten years for a copy before I could get one), and 

 from its not having been quoted or referred to by any modern writer on 

 New Zealand — (not even mentioned by Dr. Thomson, in his long list of 

 everything on New Zealand — good, bad, and indifferent) — I have always 

 been of opinion that it was in a great measure sought to be suppressed 

 by buying it up. Stanfield Parkinson complains bitterly and feelingly of 

 the conduct of both Mr. Banks and Dr. Hawkesworth in the whole affair ; 

 among other things, pointing out their meanness and invidiousness in not 

 allowing his deceased brother's name as di-aughtsman to be inserted in the 

 plates to Cook's Voyage, while that " of the engraver is pompously dis- 

 played." From the preface already mentioned I extract the following : — 



" Sydney Parkinson was the younger son of the late Joel Parkinson of 

 Edinburgh, one of the people commonly called Quakers. Sydney, taking 

 a great delight in drawing flowers, fruits, and other objects of natural 

 history, became soon so proficient in that style of painting as to attract the 

 notice of the most celebrated botanists and connoisseurs in that study. In 

 consequence of this he was, some time after his arrival in London, recom- 

 mended to Joseph Banks, Esq., whose very numerous collection of numerous 

 and highly-finished drawings of that kind, executed by Sydney Parkinson, 

 is a sufficient testimony both of his talents and application. 



" His recommendation being so eflectually confirmed by these proofs of 

 ingenuity and industry, Joseph Banks made him the proposal of going in 

 the capacity of botanical draughtsman on the then intended voyage to the 

 South Seas. An insatiable curiosity for such researches prevailed over 

 every consideration of danger that reasonably suggested itself, as the 

 necessary attendant of so long, so perilous, and, to my j)Oor brother, so 

 fatal a voyage ! He accordingly accepted Joseph Banks's offer, though by 

 no means an alluring one, if either views of profit, or perhaps even 

 prudence, had influenced his determination. His appointment, for exe- 

 cuting drawings of botanical subjects and curious objects of natural history, 

 was settled at £80 per annum. In this capacity, and under this moderate 

 encouragement, Sydney Parkinson undertook to accompany Joseph Banks 

 to the South Seas ; making his will before his departure, in which he 

 bequeathed the salary which might be due to him at the time of his decease, 

 to his sister Britannia, and appointed me his residuary legatee. 



" I have heard many of the surviving companions of this amiable young 



