The eldest son is presumptive heir and successor to the titles and estates of bis uncle, the present Lord Grantley. He was the oldest Judge in his Majesty's dominions, and, it is believed, in Europe. He succeeded Baron Wynne, who resigned in 1776; and has, therefore, sat in that Court 44 years. There has seldom appeared a stronger instance of the influence of manners and conduct, that is, the manners and conduct which spontaneously arise from the best feelings of our nature when combined with the soundest judgment, in acquiring the esteem and affection of all ranks in society. Baron Norton took up his residence in Scotland at a time when the prejudices between that country and England, which had been gradually subsiding after the rebellion in 1745, were revived by the periodical_publication of the "North Briton." But these prejudices were converted into sentiments of regard for him as soon as he was known. His conduct as a Judge increased the respect which his behaviour in private life had obtained. His perspicuity easily discovered the true merits of the cases before him, while his dignified and conciliating manner, joined to the universal confidence which prevailed in his rigid impartiality, reconciled to him even those who suffered by such verdicts as were given against them, in consequence of his charge to the juries.

In domestic life, the effects of his amiable qualities were most interesting. As a husband, a father, a friend, and a master, he was equally revered. The fund of information-of anecdotes admirably well told-his social disposition, and the gentlemanly pleasantness of his manners, made his society be universally coveted.

Resentment had no place in his bosom. He seemed almost insensible to injury, so immediately did he pardon it. Amongst his various pensioners were several who had shewn marked ingratitude. But distress with him covered every offence against himself.

His attention to religious and moral duties was uniform and constant. Not a Sunday passed, either in town or country, when he was prevented from going to church, that the service of the Church of England, and a sermon selected from the works of the best English and Scotch divines, were not read to his family; and so inviolable was his regard to truth, that no arguments could ever prevail upon him to deviate from the performance of a promise, though ob tained contrary to his interest, and by artful representations, imperfectly founded.

The circumstance of his having lived so long at Edinburgh and “ ever borne his faculties so meek, and been so clear in his great office," will readily account for the anxious inquiries that were made by all ranks and classes of people in that city during the tedious illness which preceded his death, and for the general concern it occasioned. His remains were interred in the family vault at Wonersh, in Surrey.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS, G. C. B. (Further Particulars, in addition to those already given in Part I. pp. 574.637.)

This eminent man was born Dec. 13, 1743. He was the only son of William Banks, esq. who had assumed the surname and arms of Hodgkinson (being those of his maternal grandfather), for an estate at Overton (before the death of bis eldest brother Josepb). He married Sarah, daughter of Wm. Bate, esq. (who died Aug. 27, 1804), by whom he had one daughter, the late celebrated Collector, Miss Banks, who died Sept. 27, 1818 (see vol. LXXXVIII. ii. p. 472); and one son, the subject of this Memoir. His father died in 1761, leaving him, at the age of eighteen, possessed of an ample fortune; he was at that time a member of the University of Oxford ; and it was in the retirement of collegiate studies that he acquired his taste for natural history, and resolved to devote himself to its advancement, with all the resources of his mind and his fortune.

The passion of the young student for his favourite pursuit was not confined to the researches of the closet. Immediately on his leaving the University, in 1763, he made a voyage to the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. He returned with those habits of investigation which are induced by a contemplation of rare and novel objects; and he made many acquisitions to his cabinet of natural history.

The talents of Mr. Banks were called into action at a period remarkably pro pitious to their developement. The reign of George III. commenced with that high and liberal attention to nautical discovery, which benefited the Government of a nation that was prepared by its wealth, its intelligence, and its industry, to derive from an intercourse with unknown and babarous countries new materials for commercial activity, new facts of science, and new incentives to go forward in the duty of bestowing civilization to the whole human race. Mr. Banks saw that the genius of Cook was destined to accomplish the most arduous and important enter

prises;

prises; he engaged himself in the undertaking of the great circumnavigator with ardour and liberality, which were worthy the objects of his devotion.

On the 26th of August, 1768, the Endeavour sailed from Plymouth, on this great expedition. Lieutenant Cook was Commander; but Sir Joseph Banks went in circumstances which made it improbable that he should be subjected to any disagreeable control. No unfortunate accident occurred in the early course of the voyage. Even in the pas sage to Madeira, Sir Joseph and his companions discovered many marine animals which no naturalist had described. At Madeira, and as they sailed on to Rio Janeiro, their vigilance was still eagerly awake, and was sufficiently gratified by observations and specimens new to science. The jealousy of the Portuguese greatly disappointed their curiosity, by forbidding their researches at Rio Janeiro.

On Wednesday, April 12, 1769, the Endeavour arrived at Otaheite. For three months the voyagers continued at this and the contiguous isles, making those astronomical observations for the sake chiefly of which Lieut. Cook was sent out; surveying, as navigators, the coasts of the different isles; collecting specimens of the natural productions peculiar to them; and studying the language, manners, and arts of the Islanders.

In August, 1769, the Endeavour sailed from the last Isle of the group. In Ootuber they made New Zealand, which had not been visited since Tasman's voyage. They next sailed to New Holland, chiefly along the East coast; they gave the name of New South Wales to the adjacent territory. The ship here struck upon a rock, and was saved only by extraordinary skill. In laying her down for repairs the sea broke in, and spoiled the greater part of Mr. Banks's specimens of natural history. But he was recompensed by the discovery of the kangaroo. In August, 1770, they sailed for New Guinea. On their homeward voyage, their short stay at Batavia was nearly fatal to the expedition. Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander caught the fever. The Otabeitan priest and interpreter Tuffa and his son died. Every person of the crew but one was taken ill. Seven

died at Batavia, and twenty-three more within six weeks after. On Wednesday the 12th of June, 1771, the vessel anchored in the Downs. Thus closed perhaps the most memorable voyage since the days of Vasco and Columbus. Mr. Banks was now received with the public respect due to knowledge, intelligence, and enterprise. He was overwhelmed

with attentions from the literary bodies at home and abroad, and was looked upon as one of the most prominent young men of the age.

The

His ardour was not exhausted. natural curiosities of Iceland attracted bis attention. He hired a vessel, and with Drs. Solander and Van Troil investigated the Island. His hazards were rewarded by the discovery of the cave of Staffa, in the Hebrides, the most magnificent specimen of the columnar basalt in the world; but he bad a still more gratifying reward in having attracted the benevolence of the Danish Court to Iceland by the information contained in his voyage.

Mr. Banks having satisfied, and nobly satisfied, his ardour for foreign inquiries, settled in his native country, with the patriotic purpose of devoting his fortune and influence to the encouragement of science. His labours had been properly appreciated by the most eminent men of Europe; and while, therefore, his laudable desire of forming a splendid collection of natural curiosities was abundantly gratified by his extensive intercourse, the still higher ambition, of widening his sphere of utility, enlarged his association and his correspondence with the learned and the great, and rendered him a nucleus round which the scattered science of all countries might be gathered.

Upon the retirement of Sir John Pringle from the Presidency of the Royal Society in 1777, Mr. Banks was elected to the vacant chair. The decision was a wise one. Though the object of this highest honour which Science has to bestow, was not amongst the mighty names who have built up the temple of philosophy, and have left to succeeding ages little more than its adornment, though he brought to the chair in which Newton had sat, qualities which only claimed the merit of an unbounded love of science, an unequalled industry in collecting its materials, a liberal and gentlemanly spirit of patronage, an influence with the great and powerful of eminent advantage to the particular interests of the Society; and a reputation which might receive some additional lustre from the honours which were proposed to it-we yet think that the decision was a wise one. The new President formed a link between the scientific, and the ennobled and wealthy, which no deep and abstracted scholar, no man of professional eminence could have supplied. With character and ability sufficient to maintain the honour and dignity of the Society, his genius was not so elevated as to abash the candidate for its

honours,

honours, nor his fame so considerable as to leave him satisfied with his personal importance, without seeking to derive additional honour from the advancement of the Institution over which be presided. The rank which the Royal Society now holds, is the best proof of the success which has been derived from the character of its President.

In 1779 he married Dorothea, daughter and co-heiress of William-Weston Hugessen, of Provender, in the parish of Norton, Kent, esq. by whom he had no issue. Lady Banks survives to lament her loss.

In 1781, Mr. Banks was honoured by his Sovereign with a baronetcy; as he was some years afterwards, by being created a Knight of the Bath, and sworn one of his Majesty's Hon. Privy Council.

Sir Joseph Banks devoted himself to the important duties of his station with that ardour and alacrity which belonged to his general habits. His extensive friendship and correspondence procured communications of the highest interest, and the courtesies of his private character induced men of the most exalted rank to solicit the honours of a fellowship with those of distinguished excellence in scientific attainments. Sir Joseph was re-elected to the Presidency, for several years, with an unanimous feeling; but the jealousies of some members of splendid and commanding talents began to be developed. It was charged against Sir Joseph Banks, that in the recommendation of candidates, he bowed rather to the pretensions of rank, than to the unobtrusive, but undoubted claims of eminent ability; and this feeling so far extended itself, that a distinguished ornament of the Church, no less distinguished for his mathematical learning, threatened a secession in the following terms :-" if other remedies fail, we can at least secede. When the hour of secession comes, the President will be left, with his train of feeble amateurs, and that toy upon the table, the ghost of that Society in which Philosophy once reigned, and Newton presided as her minister!" The very temper of this burst of eloquence is a proof of the causes of this schism. The pride of genius was, in all probability, op. posed to the pride of rank, and the conflict was as obstinate as it was violent. The President maintained his position firmly, and he lived to behold that intimate union which ought ever to exist between the patrons and the votaries of learning, producing all the grace and all the power of such a combination, giving science a home in the courts of greatness, and alluring the honourable to win additional honours in the retirements of philosophy.

Our space will not allow us to follow the late President of the Royal Society in his various labours for the advancement of scientific knowledge. Sir Jo seph Banks has been attacked by that vain ribaldry, which would prostrate all rank, and eminence, and useful ability, at the feet of its own grovelling ridicule -he bas been lampooned as a weak experimentalist, hastening with childish curiosity through a series of idle investigations establishing no principles, and without obvious utility. It is known, on the contrary, that he has devoted himself, with unceasing perseverance, to objects of the first practical benefit, and it would not be difficult to produce a long list of improvements in agriculture and horticulture, for which we are indebted to his patient industry. His character in this, indeed in many other points, appears to us pretty nearly to resemble the excellent Evelyn, one of the founders and ornaments of the Royal Society. We have no hesitation in believing that the fame of Sir Joseph Banks will go down to posterity with that of this good and great man, as an accom. plished gentleman, a judicious inquirer, a diligent votary, and a liberal patron of learning as one honoured most particularly with the favour of his Sovereignreceiving from the source of all honour. some of the highest dignities which can be bestowed upon civil services-surrounding himself with the admiration of his contemporaries of every nation-and employing these rare advantages in the great task which he had proposed to himself, as an improver of his country.

In person Sir Joseph Banks was tall, well-built, and manly, with a countenance expressive of dignity and intelligence. His manners were polite yet urbane; his conversation rich in instructive information, frank, engaging, unaffected, without levity, yet endowed with sufficient vivacity. He possessed information upon almost every different subject within the range of art or nature; and on most subjects he exercised the discriminating and inventive powers of an originally-vigorous mind.

Sir Joseph Banks has bequeathed his fine library to the British Museum; and has left 2001. a year to Mr. Brown, his secretary, and some trifling legacies. His funeral was quite private.

(and particularly to the readers of this Magazine), for the zeal he manifested in bringing into notice the valuable properties of Fiorin grass (see vol. lxxix. 133, 908. lxxx. i. 420. ii. 232. lxxxi. i. 33, 524. lxxxvi. ii. 107). Besides some valuable communications to the Royal Society (particularly a very curious paper on the Giant's Causeway, printed in the Philosophical Transactions), he published separately the following tracts:

"Letter to the Right Hon. Isaac Corry, on the Properties of Fiorin Grass, 1809," 12mo. "Essay on Fiorin Grass, 1810," 8vo. "Letter to the Marquis of Hertford," on the same subject, 1810, 8vo. "A new Essay on Fiorin Grass, 1813," 8vo.

DR. JOHN TRUSLER.

Lately. At the Villa House, Bathwick, aged 85, Jobn Trusler, LL. D. This singular character was born in London in 1735. He had no academical education, but was bred to physic in a very humble line, though afterwards he contrived to obtain orders, and for some time officiated as a curate in and about London. In 1771 he started a project peculiar to himself, that of abridging the Sermons of eminent Divines, and printing them in the form of manuscripts, so as not only to save Clergymen the trouble of composing their Discourses, but even of transcribing them. Trusler next established a printing and bookselling business upon an extensive and very lucrative scale. He resided several years at Bath on the profits of his trade, and latterly at his estate on Englefield Green in Middlesex. This wholesale dealer in compilations has manufactured the following works, several of which, however, it must be acknowledged, have the merit of utility:

Dr.

Hogarth Moralized, 8vo, 1766.-Chronology, or a Concise View of History, 12mo. 1769; of this little work there have been numerous editions, and one in two volumes 12mo.-Principles of Politeness, extracted from Chesterfield's Letters, 12mo. 1775.-Account of the Islands lately discovered in the South Sea, with an Account of the Country of Kamtschatka, 8vo. 1777; this is an abridgment of Cook's Voyages.-Practical Husbandry, or the Art of Farming, 8vo. 1780.-The Sublime Reader, or the Morning and Evening Services of the Church, pointed as they should be read, 12mo. 1782.-View of the Statute and Common Law of England, an abridgment of Blackstone's Commentaries, 4to. 1784.-Compendium of Useful Knowledge, 12mo. 1784.-A Dictionary of Rhymes, 8vo. 1784.-Modern Times, or GENT. MAG. July, 1820.

the Adventures of Gabriel Outcast, 3 v. 12mo. 1785.-The London Adviser and Guide, 8vo. 1786.-The Country Lawyer, 12mo. 1786.-The Honours of the Table, or Rules for Behaviour during Meals, with the Art of Carving, 12mo. 1788.Eight Years' Almanack, on a Sheet, 1788.-Summary View of the Constitutional Laws of England, 8vo. 1788.-On the Importance of a Farmer's Life, a Sermon, 8vo. 1793.-The Life and Adventures of William Ramble, Esq. 3 v. 12mo. 1793.-The Art of Gardening, 8vo.-Essay on Literary Property, 8vo. 1798.-The Assessed Tax Act explained, 8vo. 1798.-A Third Volume of his Chrohology, 12mo. 1805.-Memoirs of his Life, part I. 4to. 1806.-Detached Philosophic Thoughts on Man, 2 v. 12mo. 1810.-Proverbs exemplified, 12mo.1811. Among other compilations sent forth by the Doctor, we must not omit to mention one, in numbers, entitled, The Habitable World displayed; besides which, he also printed a Clerical Almanack, Moore's Almanack improved, and other things of a like kind.

CAPTAIN WOOD, R. N.

June 24. At Bramling House, near Wingham, Kent, in his 54th year, Capt. John Wood, R. N. A long and active service in the varied and opposite climates of the North Sea and the Tropical Ocean, produced a severe hepatic affection, which, after 30 years service, compelled him to seek, under a temporary retreat in the bosom of his family, the restora tion of his health; but his happiness in this retirement was considerably embittered by the unconquerable nature of his complaint; which at length, in the prime of his life, in the full enjoyment of his faculties and fortune, and after attaining a high rank in his profession, thus prematurely terminated his existence.

Captain Wood, then a Commander, had the honour of serving under the late glorious Lord Duncan, during the whole period of his lordship's command in the North Sea; and at the mutiny at the Nore was the happy instrument of de taching many of the disaffected seamen from that alarming and threatening confederacy; of securing the ring-leaders of some of the most refractory crews; and of carrying two of his Majesty's line of battle ships into Sheerness Harbour. The prompt zeal and activity so invariably displayed by Capt. Wood during the period of his services in the North Sea, insured him the flattering approbation of Lord Duncan, which his lordship took an early opportunity to testify, by advancing him to the rank of Post

Captain.

Captain. Capt. Wood subsequently commanded the Concord and the Phaeton in the East Indies, under Admirals Rainier, Lord Exmouth, and Sir Thomas Trowbridge.

The sudden demise of this officer affords a remarkable instance of the uncertainty and futility of human hopes and expectations; and forcibly reminds us of the truth of the adage, "nous proposons, mais Dieu dispose;" for in the belief that his health was sufficiently re-established, he was again preparing for active service, when a sudden and violent attack from the insidious disease which had so long fastened upon his constitution, blighted his expectations in their bud; and to the inexpressible grief of his family, relations, and friends, bowed him, after a few days of acute suffering, a martyr to climate, into the grave.

PETER DOLLOND, ESQ.

July 2. At Kennington, at the advanced age of 90, Peter Dollond, Esq. of St. Paul's Church-yard; Member of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia; and well known, wherever science is cultivated, as one of the most celebrated opticians of his day. He was the eldest son of John Dollond, F. R. S. the eminent optician, and inventor of the achromatic telescope.

His father was born in Spitalfields in 1706 his parents were French Protestants, who soon after the revocation of the edict of Nantz sought refuge in England, in order to avoid persecution, and to preserve their religion. The first years of his life were employed at the loom; but, being of a very studious and philosophic turn of mind, his leisure hours were engaged in mathematical pursuits; and though by the death of his father, which happened in his infancy, his education gave way to the necessities of his family, yet at the age of fifteen, before he had an opportunity of seeing works of science or elementary treatises, he amused himself by constructing sun-dials, drawing geometrical schemes, and solving problems. early marriage and an increasing family afforded him little opportunity of pursuing his favourite studies: but such are the powers of the human mind when called into action, that difficulties, which appear to the casual observer to be insurmountable, yield and retire before perseverance and genius; even der the pressure of a close application to business for the support of his family, he found time, by abridging the hours of his rest, to extend his mathematical knowledge, and made a considerable

An

un

proficiency in Optics and Astronomy, to which he now principally devoted his attention, having, in the earlier stages of his life, prepared himself for the higher parts of those subjects by a perfect knowledge of Algebra and Geometry.

He designed his eldest son, Peter Dolland, (the subject of the present memoir) for the same business with himself; and for several years they carried on their manufactures together in Spital-fields; but the employment neither suited the expectations nor disposition of the son, who, having received much information upon mathematical and philosophical subjects from the instruction of his father, and observing the great value which was set upon his father's knowledge in the theory of Optics by professional men, determined to apply that knowledge to the benefit of himself and his family; and, accordingly, under the directions of his father, commenced optician. Success, though under the most unfavourable circumstances, attended every effort; and in 1752, John Dollond, embracing the opportunity of pursuing a profession congenial with his mind, and without neglecting the rules of prudence towards his family, joined his son, and in consequence of his theoretical knowledge, soon became a proficient in the practical part of Optics.

In the beginning of 1761 John Dollond was elected F. R.S. and appointed optician to his Majesty, but did not live to enjoy his honours long, as he died of apoplexy, Nov. 30, in the same year. An interesting account of this able philosopher and artist may be seen in Mr. Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary, compiled from a life of him, written by Dr. John Kelly.

After his father's death, Mr. Peter Dollond carried on the optical business in partnership with his brother, the late Mr. John Dollond, till the death of that gentleman Nov.6, 1804; when Mr. Peter Dollond admitted into partnership his nephew Mr. George Huggins, who, with the king's permission, shortly after took the name of Dollond, and has recently been elected F. R. S.: under the management of this gentleman the business still flourishes with undiminished reputation.

In 1765, a letter from Mr. Peter Dollond was read before the Royal Society, concerning an improvement which he had made in his telescopes.

In 1772 he communicated to the same Society, through the medium of his friend Dr. Maskelyne, the Astronomer Royal, a Description of some Additions and Alterations made to Hadley's Quadrant, to render it more serviceable

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