knowledge for which he was afterwards distinguished in this department of natural history. Having inherited a considerable fortune, he had no taste for the usual trifling pursuits of affluent young men, and being of an enterprising disposition, he obtained permission to accompany Captain Cook in one (I believe the first) of his voyages of discovery in the Pacific Ocean. I do not know how soon it was after his return to England that he was elected President of the Royal Society, superseding the former President, Sir John Pringle. His election took place after a severe contest, in which his principal opponents were the mathematicians, with Dr. Horsley, the Bishop of Rochester, at their head. He was created a Baronet, a Civil Knight of the Bath (corresponding to the G.C.B. of the present time), and a Privy Councillor. He was annually re-elected to the presidential chair for many years, resigning the office as soon as he found that his declining health prevented his attending the meetings, that being not long before he died.

His London residence was in Soho Square, there being extensive premises behind his dwell

ing-house, which contained his library and his botanical collection. The former consisted chiefly of books on Natural History and the transactions of learned societies, and was probably in these departments unrivalled in the world. His principal librarian was a Swede, Dr. Dryander; and under his superintendence the library was so well managed that, although books were lent to men of science in the most liberal manner, I believe that not a volume was ever lost. Dryander was indeed a pattern as a librarian. The library over which he presided was to him all in all. Without being a man of science himself, he knew every book, and the contents of every book in it. If any one enquired of him where he might look for information on any particular subject, he would go first to one shelf, then to another, and return with a bundle of books under his arm containing the information which was desired.

Besides Dryander, there were two others who acted as sub-librarians, and Dr. Brown, the botanist, who had the charge of the botanical collection. Brown had formerly been engaged as

naturalist in Captain Flinder's expedition of discovery. At the time of which I am speaking, he might be seen daily in Sir Joseph's library, dissecting plants, and accumulating those stores of knowledge which have since gained for him the reputation of being the first botanist and botanical physiologist in the world, and the honour of being one of the very limited number of foreign associates of the Academy of Sciences of Paris. By his will, Sir Joseph directed that Brown should receive an annuity during his life, on condition of his taking charge of his library, which was still to be accessible to men of science as heretofore. He further directed that after Brown's death the library should be transferred to the British Museum. It being, however, found that a more convenient arrangement might be made both for Brown and for the public, the trustees of the Museum appointed Brown keeper of the botany in that institution, and the library was at once transferred to its ultimate destination.

The attention which Sir Joseph Banks paid to the affairs of the Royal Society was unremit

ting. He was very much of an autocrat, but, like, other successful autocrats, he maintained his authority by consulting the feelings and opinions of others, and no one complained of it. There is no doubt that his ample fortune, and his devotion of it to purposes of natural science, made his task more easy than it would have been otherwise; still, he could not have accomplished what he did if he had not possessed a great knowledge of human nature. It was by a combination of these means that he was enabled to exercise his influence over the philosophers, so that every one among them looked up to him as a friend and counsellor; and that he succeeded in keeping in abeyance among them those feelings of jealousy from which even those who, standing apart from mere vulgar pursuits, devote themselves to the acquisition of knowledge, are not altogether exempt.

During the greater part of the summer, Sir Joseph resided at his house in Lincolnshire, where he occupied himself chiefly with agricultural pursuits, and in presiding over agricultural meetings. In November he returned to

his house in Soho Square, in time to be present at the first meeting of the Royal Society. During the winter, besides the weekly evening meetings in his library, he was in the habit of entertaining parties of scientific men at dinner. Every morning he had a sort of public breakfast in his library, at which foreigners of distinction and others were introduced to him. As the spring advanced he left his house in London to reside at a villa known as 'Spring Grove,' near Hounslow, where he remained until the session of the Royal Society terminated. Here he dined daily at four o'clock, in order that his frequent visitors from London might have ample time to return home in the evening. When the weather permitted, his guests adjourned to have tea and coffee under the cedars in the garden. In the intermediate time it was not unusual to visit his hot-houses and conservatories, under the auspices of his unmarried sister, Miss Banks; or the dairy, which was under the especial care of Lady Banks, who was proud of displaying a magnificent collection of old china-ware which was there deposited. These parties at Spring