Joseph Banks Society Magazine Autumn 2018

SIR JOSEPH“Traces of you are to be found in every corner”BANKS SocietyMagazine Autumn/Winter 2018Banks’ Town HouseThe photograph below, taken by single imposing building: ‘these shops Rutland who had Spitalgate House builtShaun Tyas of Banks’ Town House in on the High Street are actually the nine- in Grantham. Then, as now, the DukeHorncastle, features in Lincolnshire bay three-storey house of Sir Joseph of Rutland had the communicationsHouses by David L. Roberts. Shaun Banks built in 1775’. advantage; his townhouse fronted thewho also edited and published the book Great North Road.commented that he had tried (and failed) In Chapter six of the book Roberts The book is reviewed on page 8.many times to capture the scale of the explains that the practice of building ahouse which no longer presents as a house in a neighbouring market town had also been followed by the Duke ofInside this issue...Visit to Sir Joseph Banks 250th Anniversary Kew Gardens comesBowthorpe Oak and Mount Stewart of Cook’s Departure to HorncastlePage 2 Page 3 Pages 4-5 Page 6Lincolnshire Quilters President’s Jonas Carlsson Book ReviewBanks Project Lecture Dryander Lincolnshire Houses Page 7 Page 8Page 6 Page 6

Visit to the Bowthorpe OakOn Monday 3rd September 16 Society Conquest and could be older, with a of visitors’ carved names. Sir Josephmembers and their guests met for girth of 45 feet the tree appeared to be in Banks as a botanist knew of the treea fascinating visit to the Bowthorpe good health and still growing. During its and given his level of curiosity almostOak on a farm near Bourne in South long life the hollow trunk has been used certainly would have visited it.Lincolnshire. variously from a dining room for up to 20 people to a pigsty. A doorway cut into The lovely warm autumn evening The massive pendunculate oak tree the side has now almost healed over but concluded with our Hon Secretarywhich is claimed to be the oldest oak the visitors were able to squeeze in and Patrick Cordingley, producing champagnetree in Great Britain was almost certainly observe the names of centuries’ worth to celebrate a signifcant birthday.growing at the time of the Norman Bob WayneLong-serving Trustees Retire Current chair Jean Shaftoe presenting retiring trustees Pearl Wheatley and Paul Scott with commemorative certificates and gifts. Pearl Wheatley was one of the founding Trustees of the Joseph Banks Society and has been a driving force throughout its existence. Paul Scott was an indefatigable Chairman and remains a Director of Banks Limited, the retail operation in the Sir Joseph Banks Centre.2 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

Sir Joseph Banks andMount Stewart Isle of ButeIt’s always a pleasure to find a Sir Wallaby Panel, Marble HallJoseph Banks’ connection somewhereone is visiting for unrelated reasons. It *Editor’s Note: in the 16thC thewas one such pleasurable connection family name was changed to thefor me recently, upon visiting Mount French version “Stuart” by Mary,Stewart, the Scottish island home of Queen of Scots for pronunciationJohn Stuart* 3rd Earl of Bute who purposes but the residence remainswas the first Botanical Director of Kew Mount “Stewart”.Gardens and obviously knew Sir Joseph **Please contact the Society if youvery well. The 3rd Earl, apart from his wish to carry out this fascinatingbotanical prowess, became mentor to research project.George III and was the first Scottish bornPrime Minister. Stuart Crooks, Vice Chair and new Membership Secretary in The 3rd Earl’s magnum opus the Sir Joseph Banks Society“Botanical Tables” was published in Archive and Herbarium Room1784 in very small number: the volumewas dedicated to Queen Charlotte and Stuart has beena copy was presented to Sir Joseph supervising theby the 3rd Earl who described SJB as installation of the new“The Eminent Botanist”. That copy now cabinets to receive theresides in the British Museum, donated Love Lincolnshire Plantsas part of Sir Joseph’s estate after his specimen collectiondeath in 1820. and new equipment to enable administration of I can fully recommend a visit to Mount the project. Stewart: arrival by water is an event in itself as the ferry departs from the railway terminus at Wemyss Bay: the station appeared on the front cover of the recent publication by Simon Jenkins “Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations”. A joy to behold. Patrick Cordingley Mount Stewart: “an extravagant statement of architectural design” Johnny Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute (Photographs: Patrick Cordingley) There are three libraries at MountStewart, the purple, the red and the blue,containing virtually 12,000 volumes.Because we were part of a special tour,the Archivist (Lynsey Nairn, sportingthose quintessential white cotton gloves)treated us to some of the treasures.Lynsey was interested in my Banks’connection and was amenable if anymember wishes to conduct research oftheir own about the Botanical Tables andSir Joseph’s involvement, a project withgreat potential**. If that were not enough, anotherBanks’ influence was the delightfulwall mural in the Marble Hall depictinganimals various, including a wallaby – itseems a later Stuart generation kept amob of wallabies (the collective noun, Ikid you not!) at Mount Stewart until finallythey succumbed to the vagaries of theScottish weather. www.joseph-banks.org.uk 3

2018 has been packed with eventscelebrating the 250th Anniversaryof Cook’s departure – with Sir Josephand his party on board for the Pacificon HMS EndeavourTrustee Lady Sally Bruce-Gardyne sums upthe significance of the voyageTwo hundred and fifty years ago this The family moved soon afterwards to of supplies and provisions. In 1755August James Cook sailed from Great Ayton where his father became after nine years as an apprentice CookPlymouth as Lieutenant in charge of a farm overseer and where Cook decided to enlist in the Royal NavyHM Bark Endeavour with orders to received his schooling. At the age of where he would learn other skills suchobserve the Transit of Venus in Tahiti. 17 he became a shop assistant in the as hydrography. Britain was soon toOn board was Joseph Banks, a young fishing village of Staithes. But a year go to war with France. He saw servicenaturalist and botanist, who had already later he had decided to become a in Canada and after the siege oftravelled to Labrador in 1766 in HMS merchant seaman and was apprenticed Louisbourg, Nova Scotia he met anNiger searching for plants and marine to Captain John Walker a Quaker ship Army surveyor, Samuel Holland, whospecimens. He was to represent the owner in Whitby. This was a momentous taught him land-surveying techniquesRoyal Society. The planned voyage was decision for many reasons. Whitby was and the use of the plane table. He tooka remarkable fusion of the aims of the an important ship building town at this part in the charting of the St LawrenceAdmiralty and the Royal Society with time and the collier barks which carried River. In 1763 he was appointedroyal funding from George III and a coal from Tyne and Wear to London Surveyor of Newfoundland, a vital newhefty contribution from Joseph Banks were a major business. The Quakers acquisition with its rich cod fisheries. Hishimself for his party of eight. Cook in Whitby played a leading role as ship excellent charts were appreciated byand Banks had barely met before they owners and builders and many were the Admiralty and he was their obviousset sail together on their epic voyage. master mariners. Their self discipline, choice to become the Lieutenant toThough they came from very different sobriety and hard work were all qualities command the Endeavour.backgrounds they were both equally absorbed by the young Cook. Beingdetermined and resolute to succeed in an apprentice was VERY demanding: The Endeavour was a particularlytheir own specialist fields. They both had advanced mathematics was vital suitable choice of ship: flat bottomedthe highest professional standards and including trigonometry and logarithms and broad beamed, she could carrymutual respect. It is interesting to study and astronomy (for calculating latitude a heavy load and be easily beachedthe influences that shaped Cook and and navigation). They had to learn on a shore or estuary. A new deckwhich made him the ideal commander of about log recording, distance sailed, had to be added to accommodate allthe Endeavour. calculations of position and weather the extra people and their equipment. conditions. They also had to learn about Joseph Banks in particular was very well Cook was born in north Yorkshire in ship management and the purchase prepared. He took a small boat, many1728, the second son of a farm labourer. trunks and chests for storing plants, marine and animal specimens. furniture, a natural history library, including Linnaeus, of at least 40 books, fishing and shooting equipment and all manner of instruments he might need etc. H.B. Carter, his biographer, reckoned the weight of all this and the luggage and baggage of all his party would have been in the region of 20 tons. Cook would have overseen all the alterations made. Ninety four people sailed on the Endeavour including marines, naval officers (amongst whom were three who had recently sailed under Wallis on HMS Dolphin returning from the South Pacific in May 1768), the surgeon William Monkhouse who had been on HMS Niger and become a friend of Banks, the astronomer Charles Green, and Banks’ party of eight. David Samwell, Surgeon on Resolution described Cook: “He was a4 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

modest man, and rather bashful; of an Captain James Cook 250th Anniversaryagreeable lively conversation, sensible Print after portrait by Nathaniel Dance Commemorativeand intelligent. In temper he was Eventssomewhat hasty, but of a disposition the took to procure fruit and fresh producemost friendly, benevolent, and humane. wherever possible. As a result of this Until 23 SeptemberHis person was above six feet high; and, trip much of the Pacific and the whole Pitt Rivers Museum Oxfordthough a good looking man, he was coast of New Zealand had been charted Prints from Cook’s Voyagesplain both in address and appearance. and the Southern Continent had been The Pitt Rivers Museum holdsHis face was full of expression; his discovered. Banks was responsible for approximately 170 prints which havenose extremely well shaped; his eyes an enormous collection of new plants been rarely displayed. This exhibitionwhich were small, and of a brown cast, and marine and land animals, ranging showcases prints which have not beenwere quick and piercing; his eyebrows from insects to kangaroos being seen exhibited before.prominent, which gave his countenance in Europe for the first time. There wasaltogether an air of austerity”. also much to be learnt about indigenous Until the museum closes people. The voyage had been an on November 4 at The success of this epic voyage was enormous success. The return of Cook The Captain Cook Memorialmainly due to the consummate skill as and Banks was greeted with immense Museum Whitbya navigator of James Cook. For three excitement and enthusiasm. It was a Whitby in the Time of Cook:years they had endured danger in all turning point in Banks’ life but if it had The Making of a Great Seamanits forms, living very closely together not been for Cook it might never havewith minimal friction. Although the happened. We must all be grateful 29 September to 10 Decembermortality rate was 56% no one had died for that. Oceaniaof scurvy largely due to the pains Cook Royal Academy in London Sally Bruce-Gardyne It will feature ethnographic items from the South Pacific Region, including some brought back by Cook and others from his three voyages. Amongst the objects on display will be canoes, clothing, and carvings in wood and stone. The exhibition will also showcase some items by contemporary artists working in the Pacific region, such as Lisa Reihana’s panoramic video work, previously shown at the Venice Biennale. Booking and pricing details at www.royalacademy.org.uk/ exhibition/oceania 26-30 September The Gravity Fields Festival Grantham Several lectures relevant to those interested in Banks and the voyages of discovery, including one by SJB President Professor Libby John. Sir Joseph Banks and Captain Cook are not often celebrated in dance so the multi media entertainment: Voyages of Discovery - an Evening of Outdoor Entertainment should be fascinating. www.gravityfields.co.uk 26 October Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, Marton A talk by Sir Joseph Banks Society chair, Jean Shaftoe: Joseph Banks and his role on the Endeavour From 1:00 pm until 2:30pm http://www.lovemiddlesbrough.com/whats- on/event/7707/joseph-banks-and-his-role- on-the-endeavour-with-jean-shaftoe-of-the- joseph-banks-society www.joseph-banks.org.uk 5

Kew Gardens Lincolnshire Quilterscomes to choose Banks asHorncastle 2018 Project Following an inspirational talk by recent hand or machine to qualify as quilts. past Chairman, Paul Scott, Lincolnshire Banks Society Trustees attended the Quilters chose Sir Joseph Banks as the subject of their 2018 Challenge. Quilters’ 2018 ‘Show and Tell’ meeting at Horncastle’s Stanhope Hall before the The Textile Artists Group was collection was sent out on a nationwide founded in 2014 to promote exhibition tour this summer. They were impressed opportunities and to provide mutual by the depth of research into Banks’ life inspiration. Their first theme was and achievements and the imaginative Yorkshire artist David Hockney but response to it. following the success of the Banks project, the focus of future challenges Approaches have been made to see if will be Lincolnshire-based and next the collection can be kept together with year’s theme will be The Viking Way. a view to the Sir Joseph Banks Society sponsoring an exhibition in 2020. While the Group is open toRichard Barley, Director of experienced artists and beginners, theHorticulture at Kew Gardens pictured standard overall is stunning. Approachesin May inspecting the Sir Joseph vary both conceptually and technicallyBanks Tribute Garden, Horncastle with artists using conventionalwith its Horticultural Director, Sally embroidery and quilting and innovativeBruce-Gardyne on the morning after techniques such as heat distress (to thehis talk on Sir Joseph Banks and Kew layman - burning), painting and digitalGardens. The wide-ranging talk by printing. Materials are textiles of all sorts,Barley who served as Director of The paint, metal, paper and recycled objects.Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne There are some constraints; three layersreminded the eighty strong audience of material have to be used and theyof the Australian perspective on Banks’ have to be stitched through either byachievements. www.linqsblog.wordpress.comPresident’s Lecture – Saturday 24 November at 3pm AnnualVenue: The Collection, Danes Terrace, Lincoln LN2 1LP DinnerJoseph Banks; The Judges’ Lodgings inThe Consummate Connector Lincoln’s Castle Square will be the venue of the Society’s Annual DinnerJordan Goodman is an Honorary Research Associate in the Department ofScience & Technology Studies at University College, London. He has published to be held on the evening ofextensively in the fields of the history of science, history of medicine, cultural Saturday 13 October.history and economic history, 7.00 for 7.30pmin articles and in books. He iscurrently writing a book about Tickets only £34.00 per person forJoseph Banks’s global projects, a three course meal with coffee.entitled “The Enlightenment ofJoseph Banks” to be published in The after-dinner speaker will2019 by Harper Collins. There will be the Society’s Presidentbe an admission charge (payableon the door) of £3 for members Professor Libby John.and £5 for non-members. An event Please telephone or emailnot to be missed. Sue Sargeant to book tickets. [email protected] 01790 7522346 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

In Search ofJonas Carlsson DryanderSwedish Botanist and Colleagueof Sir Joseph 5 March 1748 – 19 October 1810 Jonas Dryander by George Dance 1796 Jonas worked with Sir Joseph on his in St Anne’s Church, Dean Street, National Library of Australia Endeavour Voyage Florilegium although Soho. The churchyard, now in City this was never published (how delighted Council ownership and called St Anne’sOn page 3 Patrick Cordingley expresses Jonas would be to discover publication Gardens, closed in 1854 with somehis delight at finding Sir Joseph has finally come about). What was 80,000 burials. The graveyard however isconnections in unexpected places: he published in his lifetime however was not visible today and local workers whorefers to his trip to the Scottish Isle of Dryander’s magnum opus: “Catalogus recline on the grass and eat their M&SBute in April. Bibliothecae Historico-Naturalis Josephi sandwiches, probably don’t realise the Banks, Baronetti, London 1796-1800” history behind or rather under the lawn. In search of a further connection which runs to 5 volumes. Sir James All that remains of St Anne’s church itselfwith Sir Joseph we travelled to Sweden Edward Smith 1759-1828 (Founder of after the Blitz is the clock tower which(in June 2018) where we boarded the the Linnean Society) said:- was added in 1803; this was a sight SirDiana, a 31m-long classic canal craft Joseph and Jonas would have known.built in 1931 and listed as “Historically “A work so ingenious inImportant” by the Swedish National design and so perfect in Although Jonas left his roots behindMaritime Museum. Diana took us (and execution can scarcely be (no pun intended) Gothenburg has42 others) on a leisurely voyage along produced in any science”. abundant botanical riches, namely a 40-the Gota Canal, arriving in Goteborg acre formal Botaniska a short tram ride(that’s Gothenburg to you and me) a Praise indeed. Dryander’s services outside the city as well as The Gardenweek later: Diana is not a racy girl – she to botany were commemorated by Society of Gothenburg who establisheddawdles with a top speed of only 9 knots his friend Carl Thunberg in the genus “a verdant ocean in the very heart ofwith plenty of distractions along the way, Dryandra, a group of South African the city” in 1840 using our own Kewincluding 58 locks to negotiate. Proteaceae. as the model. The Palm House, shown below, was manufactured in Scotland Once in Goteborg, we made it our Dryandra sessilis and modelled on the Crystal Palace, themission to locate the birthplace of Jonas components of which travelled by sea.Dryander who arrived in England in 1777 However our mission was thwarted in There is also a Rosarium; it was Roseand took up a post with Sir Joseph as that houses pre-1803 were built of logs Week during our visit when the perfumedhis personal Librarian, after his friend and a series of fires means that few of flowers were at their peak and lovinglyand predecessor, Daniel Solander, those original residences remain, leaving tended. I searched in vain for a “Ladyanother Swede, died very suddenly. no opportunity for a birthplace to be Banks” but after speaking to Lisa, the marked. During the time Jonas Dryander Rose Expert, she promised she would Not only did Jonas work with Sir spent in his native land, Gothenburg acquire one – perhaps you would care toJoseph, he was Librarian at the Royal was extremely rich and well-fortified with go to Gothenburg on my behalf to checkSociety and Librarian and later Vice- a population of over 10,000. Its riches she has done so!President of the Linnean Society: Jonas arose from being a major shipping porthad been a pupil of Carl Linnaeus at dealing in tobacco, sugar, iron, wood Chrissie ChapmanUppsala University before leaving his and of course herrings.native land. Jonas was also one of the The Palm Houseoriginal Fellows of the Royal Society. Jonas Dryander died, far from Photograph: Christine Chapman his Swedish origins, on 19 October 1810 aged only 62 and his funeral, arranged by Sir Joseph, took place www.joseph-banks.org.uk 7

Book Review NewLincolnshire ImprovedHouses David L Roberts Sir Joseph Banks SocietyThis excellent book on WebsiteLincolnshire houses isthoroughly recommended Society member Trevor Olsson hasto all who are interested in upgraded the Sir Joseph Banksthe history of Lincolnshire. It Society Website over the summer.was written by distinguishedarchitectural historian David “I want the websiteRoberts but he sadly died visitor to be engaged andin 1997 before he had encouraged to explore”completed it. Editor andpublisher Shaun Tyas worked The site now features relevanton the final three chapters video material and a moving strapand conclusion which featuring books in the Society’sRoberts had left in draft form. library. Even the archive regularsPublished in 2018, this is a have been surprised by the rangefascinating and analytically and variety in the collection.written examination ofLincolnshire houses. The website structure has been simplified and the visual appeal Fireplaces, windows, enhanced.doors, staircases andbannisters are all dealt with Thank you, Trevor!superbly. It is written withenthusiasm and passion www.joseph-banks.org.ukwhich immediately infectthe reader and, once open, Membershipit is difficult to put down. Information can be found online Sally Bruce-Gardyne Click onThe book is available from the bookshop in Jew’s Court Lincoln, online and support usdirectly from the publisher: or use the contact info Shaun Tyas, 1 High Street, Donington, Lincolnshire PE11 4TA United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1775 821542 below ALL BOOKS SENT POST-FREE WITHIN THE UKA longer review by Steffie Shields will appear in OctoberLincolnshire Life magazine.Thanks to Shaun Tyas for giving permission for the photo of Banks’Horncastle town house used on the font cover of this magazine.Patrons: Sir David Attenborough and The Rt Hon The Lord Waldegrave of North HillPresident: Professor Libby JohnSir Joseph Banks Society Trustees: Jean Shaftoe (Chairman), Stuart Crooks (Vice Chairman, MembershipSecretary), Christine Chapman (Treasurer), Patrick Cordingley (Hon Secretary), Heather Slater,Lady Sally Bruce-Gardyne, Richard Locke-Wheaton and Bob WayneContactsMagazine Editor: Heather SlaterLetters to the editor and proposals for articles are always welcome. Email: [email protected] Joseph Banks Centre – Headquarters and Shop9-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ • Shop: 01507 526065Email: [email protected] • Website: www.joseph-banks.org.ukRegistered Charity Number: 1127728 The masthead image on the front cover is of Joseph Banks, age 29, on his return from the Endeavour voyage. It was painted by Benjamin West in 1772, and shows him wearing a Maori flax cloak. Courtesy Lincolnshire County Council Designed and Printed by Cupit Print, Horncastle • www.cupitprint.co.uk