Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/598

 474 PHILLIP'S 1748-189a botanic idea from those who had gone in peril of their lives to get them. Ten times were parcels addressed to the Royal Gardens in Advises the Paris, which had been captured by English cruisers. He constant! j ^ '"^' acted as scientific adviser to the Eang ; it was he who directed the de- spatch of collectors abroad for the enrichment of the gardens at Kew. The influence of his strong will was manifest in all his under- takings and voyages ; he was to bo found in the first boat which visited each unknown land. After his return he became almost An autocrat autocratic in his power ; to him everything of a scientific character seemed to gravitate naturally, and his long tenure of the presi- dential chair of the Royal Society led him to exercise over it a vigorous authority, which has been denounced as despotic. Dr. Kippis's account in his Pamphlet seems very fairly to describe His the disposition of Banks : — " The temper of the president has heetk ^' represented as greatly deictic. Whether it Le so or not, I am unable to determine from personal knowledge. I do not find that a chaise of this kind is brought against him by those who have it in their power to be better judges of the matter. He appears to be manly, liberal, and open in his behaviour to his acquaintanoey and very persevering in his friendship. Those who have formed the closet intimacy with him have continued their connection and His friends, maintained their esteem and regard. This was the case with Captain Cook and Dr. Solander, and other instances might, I believe, be mentioned to the same purpose. The man who, for a course of years and without diminution, preserves the affection of those friends who know him best, is not likely to have unpardonable faults of temper. It is possible that Sir Joseph Banks may have assumed a firm tone in the execution of his duty as president of the society, and have been free in his rebukes where he appre- hended that there was any occasion for them. If this had been the case, it is not surprising that he should not be universally popular." — From the Dictionary of National Biography, edited by Leslie Stephen. A memoir of Sir Joseph Banks, with a portrait, appeared in the New Monthly Magazine for August, 1820, pp. 185-194. PHILLIP'S COMMISSION. 1787 Arthur Phillip, Esq., ) Grovemor of New South Wales, j George the Third by the Grace of God King of Great Britain Franoe and Ireland Defender of the Faith <bc. to our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Edward Lord Thurlow Baron Thurlow our Chancellor of Great Britain, Greeting : — Wbb will and command that under our Great Seal of Great Britain (remaining in your custody) you cause these our letters to be made Digitized by Google