Sir Joseph Banks Merino smuggler

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 17

Sir Joseph Banks Merino smuggler

jS/r Joseph Banks, 18th Century explorer, Botanist and Entrepreneur, By Charles Lyte. Reed, 1980. 248 pp. Illustrations, bibliography and index. $24,95. (Reviewed by W. R. Philipson) , When Captain Cook gave the name [ Banks Peninsula to one of the most .prominent features of the South Island's (coastline he was honouring Sir Joseph [Banks who sailed with him on his first [Voyage. At his own expense Banks took a [retinue of artists, collectors and others to ihelp him with his scientific work. This was of lasting significance, but possibly ■even more important to the success of the [expedition as a whole was Banks’s ability to communicate with the native peoples. Time and again during the long period on Tahiti waiting to observe the transit of Venus, Banks was able to gloss over serious breaches between the Polynesians and Cook’s party. In his youth Sir Joseph had always been more inclined to go shooting and fishing than apply himself to his studies at Harrow and Eton — for in despair his father tried both. Natural history suddenly caught his attention and it remained the central theme of his long life. His physical courage and mental curiosity combined to form a temperament perfectly suited to exploration at that time. Charles Lyte gives a balanced account of the many sides of Banks’s affairs. His family life with Lady Banks and his sister [Sarah Sophia in the-town house in Soho [Square and on their Lincolnshire estates

meant a great deal to him. In spite of his prominence in public affairs, Banks consistently refused to become involved in politics. He valued his freedom of thought too highly to allow himself to become restrained by the policies of any political party. This did not prevent him from taking part in the issues of his day. From the loss of the American colonies arose the need for other outlets for England’s emigrants, to say nothing of the need for alternative penal settlements. Banks vigorously 1 recommended the virtues of Australia for i both these purposes. He also helped in the early development of Australia in another ■way, even though almost by accident. Being incensed by the unjust treatment of British sheep farmers, he set out to introduce the Spanish Merino breed into England so that the quality, of English wool could be improved. Spanish policy was to ban the export of their flocks, but by secret negotiations, not to call them smuggling, Sir Joseph managed to introduce sufficent rams and ewes to establish a flock on the Royal farm at Windsor. For the smuggling had been carried out on behalf of his life-long friend George HI, who could not become 'personally involved. The merinos proved unsuited to Britain, but were taken to t . Australia, even though Banks felt that' J sheep farming had a doubtful future in , j that colony. } j The study of plants remained his closest interest, and although he left no major published work, his influence on botany and science in general was lasting. As

4 President of the Royal Society for 42 A years he was able to shape the policies of i science during its formative years. His I personal library and collections were 1 bequeathed to the British Museum, where | they are still a significant part of the | reference collections. Also, it was at his g suggestion that the unique collections of | Linnaeus were acquired for Britain where f they are still housed in the Linnaean * Society’s room in Burlington House. / Though he - amassed great reference | collections, he preferred to work with f living plants in gardens. His personal ■ ( travels came to an end, but he continued ? to encourage and support many plant ? collectors in all parts of the world. ■ George 111 gave him responsibility for improving the gardens at Kew. These became the world’s foremost collection of living plants, as well as providing a useful clearing house for economic plants for the improvement of agriculture throughout the colonies. ’ It was Banks who inspired the ill-fated attempt under Captain Bligh to introduce bread fruit trees into the West Indies, a project that succeeded at the second attempt. Two of the earliest botanical collectors in New Zealand, the . Cunningham brothers, Allan and Richard, | were also proteges of Banks. |. The book is well ’ produced and f illustrated, but I must record one inaccuracy. Two botanical paintings are reproduced, both of New Zealand species, but unfortunately the captions have been transposed.