50 
I. I he Banksian Herbarium and 
Library. 
On his return from Iceland, Banks settled in Soho Square, London, 
and thus entered on the active scientific career which has made his 
residence at that place famous. It became the principal centre of 
activity in natural history for the scientific men of every nation. 
Walford* says that Banks lived in the house No. 32, “ now the Hospital 
for Diseases of the Heart.” Here he formed his celebrated hbrary and 
herbarium. 
The house of Sir Joseph Banks was kept for many years by his sister, 
a learned lady, who had as great a passion for collecting coins as her 
brother had for botanical research. Her appearance and some charac- 
teristics are thus described by the author of “A Book for a Rainy Day” : 
Miss Banks, the sister of Sir Joseph, was looked after by the eye of astonishment 
wherever she went, and in whatever situation she appeared. Her dress was that 
of the Old School ; her Barcelona quilted petticoat had a hole on either side for 
the convenience of rummaging two immense pockets, stuffed with books of all 
sizes. This petticoat was covered vutli a deep stomachered gown, sometimes 
drawn through the pocket-holes, similar to those of many of the ladies of Bunburj^’s 
time, which he has introduced in his prints. In this dress I have frequently seen 
her walk, followed by a six-foot servant with a cane almost as tall as himself. 
Miss Banks, for so that lady was called for many years, was frequently heard to 
relate the following curious anecdote of herself. After making repeated inquiries 
of the wall-vendors of half-pennj^ ballads for a particular one which she wanted, 
she was informed by the claret-faced woman who strung up her stock by Middlesex 
Hospital-gates, that if she went to a printer in Long Lane, Smithfield, probably 
he might sujiply her ladyship with what her ladyship wanted. Away trudged 
Miss Banks through Smithfield, “ all on a market-day ” ; but before she entered 
IMr. Thompson’s shop, she desired her man to wait for her at the corner, by the 
plumb-pudding stall. “ Yes, we have it,” was the printer’s answer to the 
interrogative. He then gave iMiss Banks what is called a book, consisting of 
many songs. Ujion her expressing her surprise when the man returned her 
eightpence from her shilling, and the great quantity of songs he had given her 
when she only wanted one : “ What, then,” observed the man, “ are j’ou not 
one of our chaunters? I beg your pardon.” 
It has been stated that this lady and Lady Banks, out of compliment to .Sir 
Joseph, who had been deeply engaged in the production of wool, had their riding- 
habits made of his juoduce, in which dresses those ladies at one period upon all 
occasions appeared. Indeed, so delighted was Miss Banks with this overall- 
covering, that she actually gave the habit-maker orders for three at a time — 
and they were called Ilightum, Tightum, and Scrub. The first was her best, the 
second her second best, and the third her every-day one. 
1b^* Cassell’s “ Old and New London,” ill, 191. 
