SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 
1 86 
4. From Dr. Samuel Johnson : — 
From Dr. Samuel Johnson, to Joseph Banks, Esq. 
Perpetua ambita bis terra praemia lactis 
Msec habet altrici Capra secunda Jovis.* 
Sir, 
I return thanks to you and to Dr. Solander for the pleasure which I received 
in yesterday’s conversation. I could not recollect a motto for your goat but have 
given her one. You, sir, may perhaps have an epic poem from some happier 
pen than, sir. Your most humble servant, 
Sam. Johnson. 
Johnson’s Court, Fleet-street, Feb. 27, 1772. 
“ A gentleman having come in who was to go as a mate in the ship 
along with Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, Dr. Johnson asked what 
were the names of the ships destined for the expedition. The gentle- 
man answered, they were once to be called the ‘ Drake ’ and the 
‘ Raleigh,’ but now they were to be called the ‘ Resolution ’ and the 
‘Adventure.’! Johnson: ‘Much better; for had the ‘Raleigh’ 
returned without going round the world, it would have been ridiculous. 
To give them the names of the ‘ Drake and ‘ Raleigh ’ was laying a 
trap for satire.’ Boswell : ‘ Had not you some desire to go upon 
this expedition. Sir? ’ Johnson: ‘ Why, yes; but I soon laid it aside. 
Sir, there is very little intellectual in the course. Besides, I see but 
at a small distance. So it was not worth my while to go to see birds 
fly, which I should not have seen fly ; and fishes swim, which I should 
not have seen swim.’ 
“ The gentleman being gone, and Dr. Johnson having left the room 
for some time, a debate arose between the Reverend Mr. Stockdale 
and • Mrs. Desmoulins, whether Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander were 
entitled to any share of glory from their expedition. When Dr. 
Johnson returned to us, I told him the subject of their dispute. 
“ Johnson : ‘ Why, Sir, it was properly for botany that they went 
out; I believe they thought only of culling of simples.’ 
5. A letter from Banks to Dr. W. Roxburgh (the celebrated Indian 
botanist, then at the Cape), will be found at Hist. Bee., iii, 527. 
• Thus translated by a friend: — 
In fame scarce second to the nurse of Jove, 
This (Joat, who twice tlie world had traversed round. 
Deserving both her master’s care and love, 
Ease and perpetual pasture now has found. 
[Boswell's " Life of Johnson ” (Malone), 1848.] The goat evidently accompanied Cook and 
BanliS in the " Endeavour.” 
t Evidently Cook’s second expedition, 
t Boswell’s “ Life of Johnson ” (Malone), p. 184. 
