the Resolution, with the object of ascertaining the existence, or the contrary, of an Antarctic continent, and Lord Sandwich invited Banks to accompany it as naturalist, to which he readily consented. Towards this new venture he made elaborate preparations, on a scale for which even his ample fortune did not suffice, for he had to raise money to complete his outfit.[1] Various surmises or explanations have been advanced to account for Banks's abandonment of his intention to proceed on this voyage; amongst others it has been said that Cook raised difficulties concerning the accommodation; and it is stated that Banks's equipment would have necessitated the addition of a poop-deck on the vessel destined for the voyage, which would have materially interfered with its sailing powers. But the reason given by Sir John Barrow, who was for many years Secretary of the Admiralty, is no doubt the correct one. He states (Sketches of the Royal Society, p. 26) that "such a system was adopted by the Navy Board to thwart every step of his proceedings, especially on the part of its chief, the Comptroller of the Navy, Sir Hugh Palliser, whereby his patience was worn out, and his indignation so far excited as to cause him, though reluctantly, to abandon this enterprise altogether." It may be incidentally mentioned that the great chemist Priestley, whom Banks had invited to join the expedition (on advantageous terms, including a provision for his family), was also objected to, in his case on account of religious principles, by the Board of Longitude. Although thus bitterly disappointed, Banks nevertheless used his utmost endeavour to promote the objects of the voyage; and that there was no personal bitterness between Banks and Cook seems certain from the following extract from a hasty note by Solander to Banks after Cook's return:—
Two o'clock, Monday, 14th August 1775.
- ↑ The last few cases of specimen bottles prepared for this voyage were not utilised until they were transferred by Robert Brown to the editor of this "Journal," when the latter was preparing to accompany Captain James Ross on his voyage to the Antarctic Ocean in 1839.
