Sir Joseph Banks Society Magazine - June 2017

SJiroseph Summer 2017Banks SocietyMagazineTrustee Sally goes fishing at Yale UniversitySir Joseph Banks’fishing diaryhis charming diary was written where the Fishery is situated is an then have stayed with their friend artificial cut made for the purpose of Thomas Fydell for the night. by Sir Joseph Banks’ sister, Sarah Drainage, in which the River Witham flows; it is 10 ½ miles long, from 80 to Thomas Fydell, a merchant and M.P.T Sophia, between 1784 – 1796 and 120 feet wide and so free from roots for Boston, was a good friend of Sir weeds or other obstructions, that the Joseph and together with his family wasis now in the Yale University archive net is seldom stopped and scarce ever nearly always involved in these tripslibrary as part of the Paul Mellon torn.” The river would be fished by aCollection of British Art. large seine net dragged by two horses, continued on page 2 one on each bank, several times. Sir I much appreciated the help from the Joseph hired his boat each year for Inside this Issuelibrarians, especially Sarah Welcome, eleven guineas plus three guineas forwhen I visited Yale last December and the fishing rent. It had a large awning • A Curious Note about a GoatI was given permission to reprint these under which 30 people could dine. • New Vanuatu Appealpictures. In 1780 Sarah Sophia came to There was always a second boat for • Portraits of Sir Josephlive with Sir Joseph and Lady Banks a the servants. A typical day would haveyear after their marriage in 1779. She been, as in 1792, embarquation at the Banks, Bart. GCB – 1743-1820too was interested in natural history. Grand Sluice at 11.23, lunch at 12.15, • Simon Sargeant FCMAThe manuscript is in two small volumes. dinner at Antons Gowt at 5.07 and then • Annual Dinner DateThe first records the fishing excursions return to Boston at about 10.00pm. Sir • The Banks-Stanhope bookon the river Witham which Sir Joseph Joseph with his wife and sister wouldorganised for three to four days for boxneighbours and friends, usually at the • Diary Datesbeginning of September. There is amap of the River Witham in thirteenparts from the Grand Sluice to AntonsGowt and beyond with illustrations ofplaces of interest, houses and viewsalong the way together with picturesof Sir Joseph’s boat, weighing of fish,cooking etc. The second volume recordsthe minutes of the actual fishingparties: the names of the guests, datesand quantities and weights of thedifferent fish landed. The watercolour illustrations werepainted by local artists: the Rev RobertChaplin. Rector of Tathwell, WilliamBrand, the custom officer in Boston,the Rev John Wheeler who was a localclergyman and Mr Robert Batty. Sarah Sophia writes “the Channell

continued from page 1 party would include a friend from afar Sir Joseph Banks was an incredibly such as Mr John Lloyd FRS who drove busy man. When he was at Revesbysometimes in his own boat . Major John his own horses all the way from North Abbey, he was involved in local mattersCartwright of Brotherton also often Wales. These fishing parties would vary such as the drainage of the fens, countycame with his family. It is interesting in number between twenty to thirty meetings in Lincoln, the Dispensaryto re-read Arthur Young’s “General people and the day would end with in Horncastle, the construction of theView of the Agriculture of the County dining on the delicious fresh fish caught Horncastle Canal and the wool mill inof Lincolnshire” which was written at that day. Louth to name but a few. As an activethis time. He was full of admiration for President of the Royal Society he wasboth Sir Joseph and Major Cartwright. Sarah Sophia explains in her diary at the hub of many aspects of scientificMany of the landowners and farmers that “as the River is fished only once a affairs both here and abroad. It is goodwho he mentions came on these trips year, a failure in sport has never been to know that he did have time to relaxand the list of names becomes a list experienced”. This is why the average and recharge his batteries on theseof individuals who all played a part in catch per day was between 300 - 400 fishing trips. They reveal what a good,Lincolnshire agricultural history This lbs of fish. The largest catch was of loyal, generous and affable friend hewould include Mr Linton of Eastern 843 lbs in 1785. The smallest was of 62 was to so many people. Above all theyFen, the Rev Mr Walls of Boothby and lbs in 1791 owing to heavy rain and were fun and gave much pleasure.the Rev Mr Berridge of Algarkirk who high winds. The fish were mainly pike, Sadly, when Sir Joseph became sowere both sheep breeders, and many perch and eels. The yellow bellied eels crippled with gout, they had to stop.others. As Arthur Young says “I found were called kemps and were not eatenthese fishing parties, which lasted four but the brewitts or sea going silverdays, spoken of by many persons with eels were. Other varieties of fish weregreat pleasure”. Other frequent guests the occasional salmon or sea trout, thewere the Pacey family who were the odd flounder, tench, burbolt, chub andchildren of Henry Pacey, FRS, a former bream. Many perch were thrown back.MP and Recorder of Boston., Thomas An average of between one to twoColtman the magistrate, who would pounds of fish were eaten per person. Itjoin them for lunch from Hagnaby , the is interesting how much pike was eaten.Brackenburies, occasionally Mr Dymoke, In 1794 a huge pike of 31 lbs was caughtthe Champion, and other local families at Benniworth (not in the Witham butincluding three doctors. Sometimes the illustrated in the fishery book). Mr Heneage of Hainton sent his keeper with it in his carriage straight to Sir Joseph at Revesby where it arrived “alive and in health”. It had travelled about twenty miles. On the back of the illustration is written “It proved when roasted, as tender, as juicy and as delicious as the best pike of 7 or 8 lbs”. Arthur Young tells us that Sir Joseph had a picture of this fish in his kitchen.A Curious Note about a Goat – Josephine C. Wiseman Perpetua ambita bis terra Richard Hough, Captain James Cook, altrici Jovis (second to the nurse of praemia lactis,Haec habet altrici p.235; and Boswell’s Life, February 27, Jove) habet (has or receives) perpetua Capra secunda Jovis. 1772). praemia lactis (lasting rewards for itsIn fame scarce second to the nurse of milk).Jove. This Goat, who twice the world The goat, which was the subject ofhath traversed round, the poem, had twice circumnavigated The goat with its engraved silverDeserving both her master’s care and the earth, the second time on Captain collar grazed in Cook’s garden at Milelove, Cook’s first voyage, of which Banks and End Road and died just four weeksEase and perpetual pasture now has Solander were of the ship’s company. after Dr Johnson’s letter was written.found. Before they withdrew from the secondThis poem was written by Samuel voyage, which left Plymouth on 13 July A footnote to this story was that afterJohnson for Sir Joseph Banks (see 1772, Banks requested of Dr Johnson a a quick scan through H.C. Cameron’s motto which he intended to carve on Sir Joseph Banks – The Autocrat of theDr Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield, a collar to be presented to the much- Philosophers.Staffordshire, in September 1709 loved animal. Sam replied: It confirms that Bank’s acted as a I return thanks to you and to Dr. pallbearer at Johnson’s funeral, I also Solander for the pleasure which I stumbled across the reason for the goat received in yesterday’s conversation. on the voyages which was not simply I could not recollect a motto for your for milk, but milk for the gentlemen’s Goat, but have given her one. You, Sir, coffee… may perhaps have an epick poem from some happier pen than, Sir, your most I am indebted to new Member Linda humble servant, Sam Johnson Hart for bringing this story to our attention, Linda may be persuaded The poem construes as haec Capra (this to carry out further research on the goat) bis terra ambita (the earth having friendship between Samuel Johnson been twice encompassed) secunda and Sir Joseph Banks. Paul Scott2 Sir Joseph Banks Society Magazine

New Vanuatu AppealThe society has launched a new Two-hundred cartons of bottled Letter from Roger Parsons (member)appeal to raise funds for a Pacific water and other non-food itemsisland country devastated by yet like medical aid were shipped for I recall waiting for the arrival of a cycloneanother cyclone. distribution to the islands. back in the 1970s. Radio Vila put out regular updates on the track of the approaching storm Vanuatu, a little known South In March 2015, the Joseph and recommendations to make sure everyonePacific nation formerly known as Banks Society handed over prepared for the worst.the New Hebrides, is made up of £1,300 to help fund a new scienceroughly 80 islands stretching 1,300 facility at Losolava School on The stillness of “the lull before the storm” waskilometres. It has strong links with Banks Island. a sobering time of reflection and preparationone of Horncastle’s most famous - moving cattle to more sheltered locations,residents, Sir Joseph Banks. He Thanks to that investment, a securing buildings and generally getting readyfunded an expedition to the islands number of pupils from the school for the unknown. The farm foreman told me ofin 1802 which was undertaken have secured jobs. his experience of a cyclone in the Banks Islands,by the Royal Navy and led by where he was left with nothing more than theLincolnshire’s Matthew Flinders. The society understands that clothes he was wearing. A tropical cyclone can the school had been damaged by destroy a water supply, wreck a subsistence Banks Island - one of Vanuatu’s the cyclone. vegetable plot, ruin a cash crop and washmain settlements - was named by away a vital road or bridge. Falling coconutsFlinders after Sir Joseph. They added: “It’s not easy can easily kill a human, a falling tree wreck a getting information because house or flatten a vital livestock fence. Inter Again, the Sir Joseph Banks the islands are so remote and island travel [boats and aircraft] mostly comesSociety is looking to help islanders communication is difficult.” The to a stop and you are on your own to deal withrebuild shattered lives after society was planning a campaign whatever nature throws at you..Cyclone Donna swept the area at to sponsor a child throughthe beginning of May - leaving a its education on the islands. On that occasion we only suffered thetrail of destruction. However, the greatest needs at waiting, not the rage of a full tropical storm, the moment are things like nails, but it was something I have not forgotten. The Chairman Paul Scott said: saws and hammers - and staples islanders of the South Pacific know a great deal“Because it is such a small nation, like rice and sugar. about survival - learned from their earliest daysno-one has really heard about of ocean-going - skills at building from naturalCyclone Donna - and the damage “Some of the worst affected materials, fishing and and farming. They will beit caused. islands have had flood damage, busy recovering from this latest taste of rough food crops ruined and water weather, but - as I know very well from my time “It has devastated huge areas sources contaminated, so every there - a bit of additional help goes a long way.and destroyed many lives. We just little bit helps.” If you have not yet sent in a donation, perhapswant to do something to help.” you would like to join me? Paul Scott According to aid workers, crops Roger Parsonswere ruined, houses wrecked and *Anyone who wants to make awater supplies contaminated. donation should call at the SirApparently, disaster officials are Joseph Banks Centre in Bridgeprioritising water and shelter items Street. It is open Monday tofor families who suffered the most. Saturday, 10-4pm. Cyclone Donna – and the destruction on Vanuatu. 3www.joseph-banks.org.uk

Portraits of Sir Joseph BanThis portrait is a copy by Charles Ernest White (1890 – 1971) of Boston in the 1930’s or 40’s. Sir Joseph Banks wearing the insignia of the Knight GraThe portrait (above left), which now hangs had been briefly Lt Colonel. He is wearing in February 1814, exhibited at the Royalin the Sir Joseph Banks Centre, Horncastle, the insignia of the Knight Grand Cross of academy, and cost the Corporation 100is a copy by Charles Ernest White (1890 – the Bath (GCB) into which order he had guineas (£4000 today).1971) of Boston in the 1930’s or 40’s. On been installed in 1803. He had been madethe reverse it is marked, by C E White, after a Baronet in 1781 and Privy Counsellor It hung in the Chamber of the Old TownT Philips (sic) RA. in1797. In his left hand by his elbow are Hall Boston, now the guildhall Museum. Acts of Parliament and papers relating to A colour reproduction of the portrait was The original portrait by Thomas Phillips the drainage of East, West and Wildmore published by Woodmansterne Ltd in the Fens. 1880’s. An Edwardian sepia postcard ofRA was commissioned by the Corporation of the painting and frame photographed In August – September 1813 Phillips and printed by the Cotswold PublishingBoston as a tribute to one whose ‘judicious lived at Bank’s house at 32 Soho Square company, is wrongly attributed to G.J. in London foe a fortnight when he began Phillips.and active exertions improved and enriched the portrait in the small study. He wrote that ‘ He [Banks] is entirely recovered as to Charles Ernest White was born the thirdthis Borough and neighbourhood’. It was bodily health, but unfortunately is not able of seven children to George (anchorsmith) to walk’ – doubtless due to gout. Sir Joseph and Emma White at 4 &6 Pulverton Street,commissioned when Banks was elected was then 70. The portrait was finished Boston. In 1911 Charles was listed as a house painter, living with his father at 116Recorder of Boston in 1809 (in succession tothe Duke of Ancaster), a position which heheld for the rest of his life, but the paintingwas not painted until 4 years later. The uniform was that of the LincolnshireSupplemental Militia, in which Sir Joseph4 Sir Joseph Banks Society Magazine

nks, Bart. GCB – 1743-1820and Cross of the Bath (GCB) Painting by G. J. Phillips in 1814 When Charles White died in Boston in 1971, four of his pastel paintings went High Street, Boston. However it is known eyebrows less bushy. The ornate gilt plaster Boston guildhall. Twelve more pastels have that White studied art under Samuel Green frame was probably used to give the copy survived, painted in Cornwall or Scotland. Enderby (1860-1921) also born at Boston, a 19th century look. the son of a plumber. Enderby studied art One is re-produced here. at Penzance and established himself as White’s knowledge of Banks and The copy portrait first hung in the a ‘Artist Painter’ in Kensington. It would particularly his involvement in fen Lincolnshire Rivers Board offices in Wide seem therefore that White moved to drainage is shown by the wording of bargate Boston, before moving to the London for a time and travelled according the plaque with the painting, in modern Sleaford offices about 1953. From there to his pastels. lettering and added later: SIR JOSEPH it passed to the National Rivers Authority, BANKS, BART GCB OF REVESBY ABBEY Anglian Region, where it was first spotted It is not known when White painted 1743-1820. NATURALIST, EXPLORER AND by the author. It eventually moved to the the head of Banks or why, copying it from LANDOWNER WHOSE VISION MADE Environment Agency at their offices at the Phillips portrait in the Guildhall, but POSSIBLE THE DRAINAGE OF EAST, WEST Waterside North, Lincoln. It has now been possibly in the 1930s or 1940s. Was it at AND WILDMORE FENS. restored and is on permanent loan to the the request of someone in the drainage Sir Joseph Society. authority? It is a reasonably faithful copy, White’s copy is not listed in ‘Sir Joseph except that the short hair style is flatter Banks (1743-1820): A guide to biographical David Robinson OBE and less grey than the original, and the and bibliographical sources’ by Harold Carter (London 1987).www.joseph-banks.org.uk 5

Simon Sargeant FCMAIt is with huge sadness that we report the sudden death of the extra time to further projects within Simon Sargeant Society’s Treasurer and trustee, the SJB Society and Revesby CricketSimon Sargeant. club. As a trustee of the Sir Joseph Banks Society Simon dragged us into Simon was born in Boston and the computer age and did invaluableraised in Frithville, he attended work organising our accounts andQueen Elizabeth Grammar School membership lists, but he did so muchin Horncastle. Simon trained as a more, always being the one who wouldmanagement accountant with the cheerfully volunteer for any task.Catterpillar Equipment Dealershipof Levertons in Spalding where he He lived with his wife Sue atbecame qualified as a Fellow of the Harrington and also leaves two sons.Chartered Institute of Management He was Chairman and former CaptainAccountants. He joined the Danwood of Revesby Cricket Club, where heGroup in Lincoln as Finance Director in played cricket for 36 years, he was also1982 and remained with the company treasurer of the East Lindsey Cricketuntil he semi-retired in August 2016 League. Simon’s funeral was held in abut remained extremely busy, using his packed St Botolph’s Church in Boston (Stump) on May 9th 2017. Annual Dinner Date This year’s annual dinner will be held onSaturday 14th October, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start It is being held in Louth at the Court Yard Restaurant, at Kenwick Golf Club, there will be 3 courses plus coffee included in the price which is £24.00 per head. Our life President David Robinson OBE will be our after dinner speaker and he promises to reveal little known informationconcerning Sir Joseph Banks. As is customary we have invited the High Sherriff of Lincolnshire to be a guest of honour.To reserve tickets please contact our treasurer Christine Chapman via email: [email protected] Tickets can also be purchased in the shop in Horncastle which can accept card payment, or by post. Cheques should be made payable to: Joseph Banks Society.6 Sir Joseph Banks Society Magazine

The Banks-Stanhope book boxOne of the Society’s newest members is Linda Hart from Malvern in Worcestershire. We’ve asked her to explain how a “book box” that Centre in the new year. Soon I had a call belonged to James Banks Stanhope (1821-1904) led her to the Society. from Jean Shaftoe, the vice chairman,I didn’t know what a “book box” was and found one. It led me to wikipedia’s who invited me to Joseph Banks’until my husband came across one in a long entry for Sir Joseph Banks. That birthday party in February -- an idealsecond-hand book shop somewhere in led me to the Sir Joseph Banks Society opportunity for me to present the bookthe West Country about 40 years ago. which in turn led me to the J.B. Centre box. I was thrilled.I was browsing elsewhere in the shop, in Horncastle.and he showed it to me. On the outside So I made my first ever visit toit looked like a well-made 19th-century The more I read, the more I felt Horncastle, and stayed at The Bull wherebook about the life and poems of the that James Banks Stanhope’s book Joseph Banks had chaired meetingsRev George Crabbe, in full-leather box should be returned to north and organised the annual charity ball.binding with marbled edges. It was 6 ¾ Lincolnshire. I phoned the Centre and I attended his 274th birthday party, andinches by 4 ½ inches. On the inside there spoke to the manager, Sue Sargeant. I the book box was graciously acceptedwere marbled end papers, but only a offered to bring the book box to the by Life President David Robinson OBEfew pages from the book remained. on behalf of the Society.Mainly there was empty space i.e. arectangular hole in the middle. If the Linda Hartbook was on a library shelf, the emptyspace would make the perfect hidingplace for keys, money, jewellery or alove letter. We purchased it, and I have alwayskept a few special items of jewelleryin the book box. On 17 December lastyear, while retrieving some earrings,I stopped to look carefully at thebookplate, see photo below. I don’t know why I had never done Linda’s internet searches also led her to discover that there is a small photo of James Banks Stanhopethis before. Beneath a coat-of-arms at the National Portrait Galleryit said James Banks Stanhope. I wascurious and googled his name. I found awebpage titled “James Banks Stanhopeof Revesby Abbey” at The NationalArchives. I learned that he was MP forNorth Lincolnshire from 1852 to 1868.I looked for a Revesby Abbey websitewww.joseph-banks.org.uk 7

Diary Dates – 2017Saturday, 29th & Sunday, 30th July Heckington Show. Society will have a stand in the Heritage area.Saturday, 9th September Heritage Open Days. William Marwood Exhibition, Joseph Banks Centre, Horncastle.Saturday, 14th October 2017 Annual Dinner. This will be in Louth at the Court Yard Restaurant, Kenwick Golf Club. Tickets £24.00 pp for 3 courses plus coffee.Tuesday, 17th October 2017 Presidents Lecture – Joe Studholme, Chairman and Managing Director of Editions Alecto Group, who produced the publication in 1990 of Banks’ Florilegium, completing a work begun 220 years before. Venue: Lecture theatre at Bishop Grosseteste University. 7.30pm start. £5.00 to include refreshments.Joe Studholme – Editions Alecto Magna Carta and, to mark its 900th anniversary, the official facsimile andJoe joined Editions Alecto in 1963 under the Alecto Historical Editions translations of Domesday Book forwhere he has been Chairman and imprint. AHE publications included the Public Record Office (now theManaging Director for many years. Banks’ Florilegium, the engravings National Archives). In 1998 Joe was of the plants collected by Joseph the co-founder of Getmapping plc, In the 1980s the firm diversified into Banks on Captain Cook’s first voyage which created the first comprehensivepublishing historical material in library (for the British Museum (Natural aerial photographic record of theand museum collections, either from History), Salisbury Cathedral’s copy of British Isles, a modern Domesdayoriginal copperplates or in facsimile, Book’ for the millennium.Membership RenewalsThe 2017/18 membership renewals are due from April 1st 2017. Fees have remained unchanged. Full single membership- £15.00, Couple - £25.00, Organisation - £30.00, Life - £200. Membership includes – 2 Lectures per year, Annual Dinner,2 Magazines per year, email bulletins, Visits and events, discount on society publications. Society Patron: Sir David Attenborough Sir Joseph Banks Society Trustees Life President: David Robinson OBEChairman: Paul Scott • Treasurer: Christine Chapman • Membership Secretary: Heather Slater Miss Pearl Wheatley MBE, Lady Sally Bruce-Gardyne, Jean Shaftoe, Richard Locke Wheaton, Bob Wayne, Roland Freeman Sir Joseph Banks Centre Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ • Shop: 01507 526065 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.joseph-banks.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1127728 Designed and Printed by DPS Digital (Lincs) Ltd 28 & 30 Handley Street, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7TQ Tel: 01529 300452 www.dpsdigital.co.uk