The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-08-17 00:00:00

SIR JOSZPII BANKS.

Mom "The Noe lorifkly thsgssisall
MIDSOID OP SIR MIL BASRA. DART. A.C.B. RQ
AND PAINIDIINT OP TUB ROYAL Ac.apainr.

(oantenutifrein oar Papw ef featardns.)
We weight 4111 our pages with many whimsical
anecdotes of the subject of oar biography, dur-
ing his visit to Otaheite, where be was prominent
upon all occosioos, but for these must refer
thecarioas reader to Hswkeswerth, particularly iu
regard to some adventures with Olsereu, which,
after his return, prompted some wicked wit to
mite to him, or rather to print to him, • poeti-
cal epistle Trout that Princess ; an epistle attri.
hated to the late Professor Parson, though not cor.
!wily. as we have noticed in our biography of that
Gentlemen.
When the day of obsetvation arrived. Cook, in
order to guard against disappointment from dowdy
weather, dispatched a party in the lout-boat to
Eimeo, an island in the vicinity; Mr. Banks, in
his indefatigable seal fur science, determined to
accumpaily them, though it certainly was at that
visor a ref vice of some risk to go with so small a
force amongst stranger,. Such, however, was the
essailenee with which he himself had inspired the
Datives, that Tuboursi Teesside, one of the princi-
pal chiefs, together with his wife, readily remains.
Med the little party without fear or apprehension.
So mordent was Mr. Batiks is the investigation of
every thing Dowel or curious, that he actually con.
wined to act a part in one of their funeral proces-
sions since upon no other terms could he be per.
milted to witness it; he therefore officiated in this
ceremony in the capacity .of Itlfisevek; for which
purpose helms stripped of his European dress, and
a small piece of cloth being tied round his middle,
leis body was smeared with charcoal and water as
low as the shoulder., until it was as black as that
of a negro. The same operation was performed
Orin several others, amongst whom were some
Ladies, who were reduced to a state as near to
oakedoeso as himself; and thus they set forward,
net as an European procession, with a crowd at
their heels, but driving every body before them
with terror aud affright; when, after half an howl's
marching in silence and solitude, the mourners were
dismissed to wash themselves in the river, and to
put on their customary apparel.
Preparing for their departure, Mr. Banks most
sedulously employed himself iu rendering to those
gentle islanders all the services in his power ; for
which purpose he planted a great quantity of water-
melons, oranges, lemons, limes, and other plants
aud trees, which he had collected at Rio Janeiro,
even .at the risk of his personal liberty. Nor was
hie generous care unappreciated by the natives; for
having planted some of the melon seeds soon after
arrival, these had thriven so well that the islanders-
pointed them oat to him with great satisfactiou,
importuning him for more seeds, which request, of
you're, lie readily granted.
All ranks were justly partial to him ; but one
individual became particularly attached, so much
so indeed, that he determined to proceed to &w-
-ised in the ship. This was Tupia, who had been
Prime-Minister to Oberea, in her days of active
severriguty, when Captain Wallis was there, and
who was also the chief Tallow., or archbishop of
the island, and consequently a most interesting in-
dividual to bring to England, either for obtaioing
information respecting Otalteite, or for carrying
back again the arts and knowledge of Europe. •
For various scenes and anecdotes during their
range through new.discovered lands, in their voyage
from Otaheite to New Zeeland. we must refer to
the printed account of the voyage itself, merely
noting that the came of Banks was given to an
island on hut coast by Cook, in Ist. 43. 44. S.,
and long. 186. SO. W., not very far distant from
that point which is the antipodes of Loudon.
After coasting the two islands which form New
Zealand, the voyagers proceeded towards the coast
ot New Holland, to which part Cook gave the name
Of New South Wale., where Mr. Banks and Dr.
Solander made as many botanical acquisitions in i
one bay, that the name of Botany Bay was given to
it; but Port Jackson they merely passed so as to
see that it was a harbour deserving of a name.—
Whilst musing along the coast of New Holland,
they wet with an accident which had nearly deprived
Mr. Banks sod the world at large of the fruits of
ail his labours ; for the ship having struck upon a
coral reef, to the manifest risk of all their lives, of
which there is a most interesting account in Hawker
worth, they afterwards got her into Endeavour river,
where. ou bringing her by the stern to get at the
leak under the bows, the water in the limbers rush-
ed aft into the bread-room, where all his botanical
collections were stowed, together with his other ac-
quintious in natural history, which were so coin-
! pletely wetted through, that it was with the utmost
difficulty they could be restored.
From New HollauJ they visited New Guinea,
primeeding thence through the ludian Archipelago
• to Batavia, where both Mr. Banks and Dr. Sole's-
dee had nearly lust their lives from that unhealthy
• climate. There too, to his inexpressible regret, be
lint his Otaloeitean friend, Topic, whose superior
intelligence and goodness of heart had eudeared
him to hie patron. After visiting the Cape of Good
Hope aud St. Helena, the Endeavour anchored in
this Donor un else 14111 of Jour, 1771; and Mr.
Banks had the pleasure of landing oil his native
shore, after au absence of three years all but two
mouths,

Our enterprising philosopher was received on his
reStsrn, by all ranks, with the most eager idmira-
non and the utmost kindness; rod on the 10th of
August, by his Majesty's espies. desire, Mr. Banks
and Dr. Subinder, accompauted by Sir John Pointe,
then President of the Royal Society, atteuded at
Richmond, where they had the honour of a private
royal interv►ew, winch lasted some hours. Indeed
neither of those distinguished na:uralists had been
unmindful of the predilectiou which he, whom we
way now call the great father and patron of British
science, had for botanical 'novelty ; and accordingly
they had token care to bring home a great many
specimens fur the royal gardens at Kew, which were
must graciously received.
Amidst the display of philosophic admiration of
the voyagers, there were still some chylous iudivi-
distils. who affected to despise their exertioos sod
ocquieitious. The younger Forster, who, with his
- •
• .

. •

Libor, aesompasied Coplaix Cook in Ms soma
image, seems Si- alhade up this when he says.—
" The British Legislators did mit send out and
liberally Nippon my father ell a Setufahel, who was
merely to bring home a oolleetion of hotteillie• and
dried pleats." Bot this is the less deserving notice,
u raver was a professed grumbler. became after.
wards an admits, of the rights of man, and diroogh
'the exercise of those rights, lost his head some.
where in Germany.
Soon after the arrival of Mr. Banks in London,
he became entangled is • dispute with the relations
of owe of his draughtsmen. Sydney Parkinson. who
had died in the course of the voyage. having been
engaged at • salary of 801. per annum, as natural
history pointer. for which he had shewu consider.
able genius. Parkinson'. friends seemed to have
formed the most extraverted ideas respecting the
property left by their young friend in general
effects. curiosities. and drawings; end consequently
they felt much disappointed, accusing Mr. Banks,
by implication, of having unfairly taken pommies'
of various articles, independently of drawings,
which he claimed as the work of his own draughts.
man. But these charges, with the whole affair of
the publication' of Parkinsou'e account of the voy.
age. may be found in the preface to that book ;
but as much of it seems the result of passion and
prejudice, no further notice of it is necessary here;
and indeed Mr. Baukrappears not to have consider-
ed himself as at all called on to offer any studios-
lion in the affair.
Early in 1771. an expedition was prepared under
the command of Capra.* Cook, to proceed in search
of the eo-souch-talked-of Southern Continent; in
which Mr. Banks most anxiously took a part. in-
tending to perform the voyage ; he prepared his
establishment epos the most extensive scale, and
was to be accompouiest toy Zuffany the painter,
under his Majesty's express patronage. On this
account orders were given by the Admiralty for
fitting the ships oat with every possible accommo-
dation that Mr. Banks could desire; but the
Resolution having sailed from Long Reach for Ply.
mouth on the 10th of May. she was found so very
crank. from the additional upper works, even in
the smooth water of the river, as to be obliged to
be carried into Sheerness to have the additional
cabins cut away. with such other alterations as were
necessary to make herrea-worthy. This of course
struck at the very root of Mr. -Banks's project, in
curtailing him of the space and accommodation
absolutely necessary for the establishment which he
had formed ; but **anxious were the Admiralty to
do every thing possible for him, that the First
Lord, the Earl of Sandwich. and Sir Hugh Palli-
ser, actually went down to Sheerness to superintend
the alterations, and to preserve things in such •
state as to accommodate the man who was nobly
resigning all the delights of polished society in the
cause of science. It was impracticable. however,
with any regard to the safety of the ship, and the
success of the geographical objects of the expeds.
lion, to preserve the necessary, accommodations;
and Mr. Banks gave up his plans, though with
great regret, and not be!Ore the early part of June.
ou the 11th of which month the Messrs. Forster
were engaged to perform the voyage upon • solstice
scale of preparation ; doting all which Mr. Banks
most sedulously gave, by best advice and assist.
once.

Disappointed is this expedition, Mr. Banks was
prompted to engage in some other active research.
and accordingly determined on a voyage to Iceland
sod the western islands of Scotland ; partly for the
purpose of scientific observation, and, as Van Troil
states, who actonspanied him, in order to keep toge-
ther and employ the draughtsmen, and other per-
sons, whom he and 1)s. Solander had engaged for
the South Sea expedition.

The vessel which he hired for this voyage was
engaged •t 100/. per mouth; and the party was
agreeably increased by Dr. James Lind, of Edits-
burgh, as astronomer and the late Captain Gore.
who accompanied Cook in his third voyage, theu a
Lieutenant; to which we may add another Lieu-
tenant of the navy, three draughtsmen, two writers,
and seamen. sod sarvants, to the number of forty
in all.

They sailed from the River in July, and called at
Portsmouth, thence to Plymouth, sod proceeded
up St. George's Channel, meaning to call at the
Isle of Man, for the purpose of examining some
Runic inscriptions; but the weather being unfit.
vourable, they gave up the design, and pushed on
for the Western Islauds, visitiug Oransay, Co-
lumbkill, Scarba, and Staffs, so remarkable for its
basaltic columns, but till then, we may say, com-
paratively unknown. In fact, previous to this,
Staff. had only been slightly mentioned by Bucha.
sin; so that Mr. Banks had no idea or intentioti of
stopping there, nor would he, had it nut been that
the strength of the tides obliged them to acchor,
during the night, in the sound bZtvreen the lima
Mull and Morven, opposite to Drurnen, the seat
of Maclean, a Highland chieftain, who invited the
travellers on shore to breakfast the next morning,
when they received Osfortuation of the pillars from
Mr. Leach, who had visited them a few days be-
fore. Mr. Banks's deeire for information could nut
resist the offer of that gentleman to accompany the
party to Staffs, and accordingly they set off in the
boats the same day,
.erriving at the spot late iu the
evening, the distance being about nine leagues
from their anchorage. Fur probable inconvenieuces
they had well provided, having taken two days' pro-
visions, and a small tent, in which they cooked
their suppers and slept, in preference to taking
up their abode in the only house on the island.
The West @deices from Bursas Ayres are to the
end of the mouth of May. Great confusion still
prevailed, and the political turmoils had been vu
great. and so immediately affected every one who,
during the course of the Revolution, had taken the
lead in civil or military affairs, that it was luiposei.
We to find an individual of soy note, possessing a
sufficiency of public confidence, to take charge of
the ad • 'stration of alum. in this emergency, a
Member of the Municipality bad been elected Go.
tremor, and be retained his place at the end of May.
Between ten and eleven o'clock on Monday night,
a fire broke out in the house of • grocer in White-
, cross-street. and raged with such violence, that the
family had hardly time to escape. It communi-
cated to the two adjoining houses. and in a few On.*
sautes they were all in flames.

1111L411011OL r CAZISITIOPINI
Os Misr, the 1114 iselest, s mlikeedisiy W mid Aim
tremolos eves. stemma is Denisstes Fmk, Leicestershire.
The Rev. C. S. Roars sad family, of Ames D• 11, 1. Ike
musty of Derby, weal to the park, for she perpeon of em
*ism • few Mere surearemest so the wake, sod amidst the
delighted worry with which she pork abstruse. Afire
bevies partakes of wee refreshasest airs. Heide*, Mein
esprossed her imeritirio -of wea be,ries horde, walked te •
alert distance en the bask, sod was obeerved by some of
IM party, who led spilt asenshied is the hose, sod were
rewires up She stereos to be is the set of Meepies slows I.
her Muds i.l. the erst.r, when her foot slipped, mad
she was precipitated iota She river. As the plow where ale
fell lo was deep, mod the water dineobreerit, seterithotend-
ieg the meet prompt aosielartee was afforded, Sc. es Melva
misales had elapsed before the body meld he freest It
was without he.. of time eirmerd to the keeper's ledge is
the park, where the proms far restoring sue mien.
this comesesced immediately, and was catered ow M, • Imes
time, coder the mperieterairirce of them medical Clentle.
Ism me of whore Isappeeed to be passing theses* the
parks at she Moe of the warlascholy °marmites. Vishoppily
their efforts peeved iliac—she viral spark had Mem.
versidy led! Time it has pleased Dirrise Provident. to
withdraw from the sphere of active duties s prod effeetiest.
ate wife, a tender sod most esemplary anther. it I. hardly
Necessary to add, that this tweet he. exerted a emorofol
sympathy throughout the seighboorlsood, mad hpa irestelved
• sesserose sod Isemaol•ble family is the deepest allieties.

PATS OP THE PILOT BOAT PAntion •

It will be recollected by many of oar mews that &deg
t►e late war with Euglasd the above-named pilot boat ins
dispatched to Charlessin, for the postmaster twiggiest to Ibis
city Mrs. Albion, Lady of the thus Governor sf Booth
Camila', sad daughter of Caloael Bum, formerly Tics-
Presideat of she United SUMO. Mrs. Allem* was is a deli-
cate slate of health at M►a time, sad unable to travel by
land. T. Gregor, Em. of this city, as insienalefriend of Gas.
armor Aliston's family, proceeded to Charleston is the pilot
host, fur the porpoise of acconspooyiag Illes A. on Ma voyage.
From the time they embarked sad sailed from Chariest/Is,
so tidings shakier had env been beard of the vessel se soy
one oti board. It waa at first supposed that the vessel most
have bee captured by a British cruiser, bat afire s lapse of
tins that hope was absadosed. Nomithstaishog the ern.
they was mild and favourable for seve►al days after the ves-
sel kft Charleston, sod such as to render her loss amystrrioiss,
up to the present time, wo other ides of the metaireholy cir-
cumstance had prevailed than that the vessel most have
foundered at sea, or run alder dodos, chase.

Bat the oilatery is at length deve-kpeil; for the he...,
of
bantam Raton it were to be wished that she facts hod
Never bees revealed, sod that she following horrible Nis
W been buried with she wretches wbo sold it

A gentlesami recently from New Orkass bus issemen.
skated to • (Amid of the family of the late Mr. Gramme,
that two of the pirates lately sestosced suttee death
at New Orksos, cook:sea that they composed port of
the crew of the above pilot-boat Patriot; Ilset after being
at sea two or three days, sad near the shore, they rose
epee the captain and passengers, sad amassed them helm;
whea they stood close in shore, mid after ploaderiog the
passengers of • considerable sant of mosey -aisd plats,
belonging mostly to Mrs. Allstos, they Mooched the
boat and scuttled the vessel, whit* NON Ailed sod west
down, with the unfortunate apalheed below! The
dreadful tragedy was performed in the dad of eight. These
wretches succeeded is reaching the shore with the bees sad
bad this far escaped detection sad posishsimst of this hoe-
'Mk criase.—(New York Paper.)

•
The following extract of • letter, which is dated
Angostura, Julie 5, gives mute infortlistien sw
the situation of the interior, and a the Pew
settlements forming its the country gf.lb. rise
sots :
" Fres the leatteation of the preset authorities to the
dekotre and sweetest of the river, our consestrication with
the exterior, at least by way of Triaidad, is almost (*Prey
cut off. The letters from Europe by the id of-January,
Ist aid brief February, and Ist of March packet., Sarre keen
intercepted, sad fears are eatertansed that those by the lid of
March sad let of April have shared • Pails fate,
write Godes, encouraged by the impunity with which
they were persisted to continue their depredations, boldly
entered the Meese" a few days ago, and took several vessels
is that breach of the river. The listless apathy asp rulers
prevented the adoption of vigorous wagers, sod the essay,
well informed of the state of things, ventured as far up, and
look possession of Barsocaso hereby counisaisdisig the whole
navigation of the Oromeo. It is out yet hatters what prime
were snide whilst is possession le that post, hot after re.
mainiug some days woonolested they retired. Whew the
aecouois reached this of the Spaniards brie; w ors,. gene•
ral perturbstion was evident, sad the idea was started of
evacuating Ma province of thsayasia, and retiring to the
Apere. Soso efforts were at last made; private smell
were sand, and after • lapse of some days, she SIAM". of
Hie Irish Legion recently arrived was sent off to elseogiben
the garrison of Old Guaymas.
" I have jest returned frost my journey I. the selesioue,
highly 'alibied with the arrargeutests made. Comfort and
plenty have already made rapid strides is my misitsee,
whilst in those remaining in the bards of the sate *tee is
nothing but desolation sod misery. Many ealpsineware al-
ready abasdused, and others will moo* be ao. When I was
at Miami the whole population of Ayasa led to Owlets s.
la mine the hitherto ill.treated ladies@ are regaled, paid,
fed, and clothed; and the powequence ia, that I have now
a population of near 2,500 vela, and am inereene of wear
1.000 within a few months. The people are .ilk docile,
obetheot' quick in learning soy shire, sod gsßttsfel ito the
extreme for Cadman. They are remarkably bsndas.e, mud
antingst the females are some as elegant forme amass trod
the earth. Our system is to treat the motives with bits/seas,
mildness, good faith, and liberality, ask from whet I have
already witnessed, I am coalbleat it will prove inconsparahly
the best plan. lam averse to receiving easigruss, moles
greet care be exercised in sleeting the people seat ont.• One
bemired decent seism would be of same advaisage to the
country than ten thousand of, the diseabfie sad Saimaa. '
" General Soubletie arrived here Irons above, a Set deli
ago, to take the place of Dr. Rosso, as Vice.Presideot of
V Is, much to the satidasion of every Sheer and owl
chant. He left Geoeral Bolivar at Cucuta; every thiag ort
military affairs was going on divinely. On the levlsouary,
next year, the Guerra! Congress ut Columbia, iIW". a to
say, of V lased New Graaada, will be assembled, and
their Mrs side will be to get some plan Med on for
the liquidation of the automat debt, which, after VI, is com-
paratively but a trifle.
" Many important and interestiag measure, will be
brought soder consideration at the setting of the ,Gsseral
Dairen, sad some affective the reputation of Columbia in
a sore sensible degree thee Istria( good faith with the fo-
reign creditors."
SPIRITUOUS LIQUOII.-.-Ou looking over the WIN-

cial returns of duties paid on foreign spirituous
liquors. I find that during the last year DO less than
sir millions two hundred thousand gallons of these
articles of luxury were imported in the United
States. It would require. according to the informer.
ttou of distillers, 4,06066 bushels of grain. at au
average of three gallons a bushel. to produce this
enormous quantity of liquor. At the preseut
price of rye and corn (averaging 6o cents per
bushel). this would put into the pockets of our
farmer., annually. one million two hundred and
sod thirty-nine thousand nine harsdred and wisely-
'Wee dollars. It would give einpleymerit iu menu-
lismuring the liquor to upwards of IMO labourers,
Bad it would profitably employ upwards of Id mil.
Boas of capital now lying dormant —(.lew York
Peer.)

,•.~

•7o It 7ffir IVRP

.444.1 •

,r; try; SIVWCASTLIS RACES
---
• 11""I''' ImMiIOAT, AVOISOT S.
A War, pas of lop —Twice ruses/ mod s ihislased.
Sr T. S. M. lryt Sort!' b. s. Ilisissediss, 4 yrs
ski, Mt. ( we)
Mr. Whitworth's b. b. Massed, b yes MA, $O. Milk_ s 1
A Swerystsliss of Ms. web—?tins Mite bests.
Sr T. Mitslys, Sert.'s eb. c. Toilers, 4 pit yid, 74. Mb.
(Arthur)
1k J. G. Emma, Sures b. b. Astbsry. 4 yrs MA, est
Sr W. Wywa's b. h. Tartarus, 4 yrs sail
W. G. Solerl. Ess.'s eh.% Huhigublis, 5 yrs fold, Sot 131 b. 4
J. Illythes„ Esq.'s b. I. lisurtri. 4 yrs 0.1, 74. 121 h..... s
Cedric, Harssudius, Paul Putter, awl Cueseresk, draws

WIDII6IIO6T.
Tbe Members' Purse of 410gs.—Trice reglad and a installer
Sir T. S. M. henley, Ilart.la b. e. Illarmodiss, 4 yrs
" old, Sat. tlb (Dees)
Aohim hlyttow, Esq.'s b. e. by [Anglo,' 3 yre
old, lat. 10Ib
Sir T. S M Stanley, Bort ch. e. Cedric,! Fre eM.• Jr
Sir Thos. Mossy., Bert.% eb, e. Timken, 4 yrs old
Sir W. Wyha's b. h. Terraces, 4 yrs (entered at post) dr
A Sweepstakes of yds. each, with alga. added. Twice roofed
and • dielaseo.
Sir T. Stanley, Bart.'. ch. r. Cedric, Sat. 31%. (Darr).... I
Barrel Philip, Eel's eh. f by Castrel. Sat.
W. D. Sand, Earl 'a ch. c. Don Cossack, Sat. Mb. • 3
Four draws.
TAUSIIDAII.
A Handicap Stakes of fogs. each, with foOgs. added by Ile
Pooltheens. Twice round end • distance.
Sir J . G. Egerton, Bert.'s h. h. Ast harry, Sat. Mb.
ll 3 3 * 1 1
J. Myttrou, 's b. I. Hasdel, yes, 70 I I lb. 0
Sir W. Wynies b. h. Tarragon, 4 yrs, Sat. .. .0 0 dr
Sir T. S. M. Stanley, Bart.'s ch. c. Cedric,
!yrs
In this unparalleled rare, Hoye, rode Astbory; Demi,
Handel; and Spencer, Tarragon —Four drawn.
A Sobecription Cup, fur homes not therarigh bred, Ipotesi-
leg to the Gentlemen of the Newcastle end Pottery Troop
of Staffordshire Yeomanry Cavalry, nark by Members of
the Troup. The owner of the seared beet horse to receive
a sum not exceeding 10g.e--Once round end a distance.
Mr. Eaton's b. h. Little Joke, 6 yrs old (Mr. Cork) I 1
Mr. William Birks's ch. h. Stapleton, aged .2 2
Lieut. Rogert's b. h. Sir Peter, 7 yrs old.
Captain Kinnersly's IP b. George, 5 yrs old
Lieutenant Belroash's b h. Felix, aged
Mr. Harding's b. h. Abraham, 5 yrs old
Mr. White's b. us. Duchess, 7 yrs old
Mr. Wilsou's Ir. h. Bersjamla, S yrs old dr
The Handicap Race on Thursday, was one of the Mese
extraordinary that ever occurred. Mr. Myth..'. Handel,
and Sir W. Wyna's Tarragon, haviag ran: three dead brats,
at coaling in, the hones were so equal that so dispute erne,
la conaequeore of the decision of the Stewards. They uric
handicapped by Dr. &Pp*' of doillens, and displayed his
judguient.—The Cavalry Stakes was • %reticule-
tested race, and won by Mr. Eater's Little John, besting
Lieut. Rogers's Sir Peter, sod Mr. Birk.% Stapleton. Throw
races writ this year maraerworsly and reopectsbly attended.