Joseph Banks Soc News Autumn 2019

SIR JOSEPH“Traces of you are to be found in every corner” BANKS Society Magazine Autumn/Winter 2019 The Sir Joseph Banks Society and Centre Feature on TV The Sir Joseph Banks Society Fellow, Paul Scott and BBC Countryfile Presenter Margherita Taylor in the Banks Tribute Garden, Horncastle. On Sunday July 14th this year Older Members will remember programme makers this year: please Countryfile featured a story about Armeria maritima (subsp. elongata) find on page 2 a photo of Paul Scott Banks and Tall Thrift – a specimen of on the reverse of the now out-of- being interviewed by Channel 5 for which he collected on Lincoln Heath circulation threepenny bit. an episode on the Endeavour in their around 1790. This specimen is still Great British Ships series. held in The Natural History Museum. The Banks Tribute Garden was popular with British television Inside this issue... Chairman’s Contemporary The Tribute Garden Book Reviews Letter perspectives on the 10 Years on achievement of Pages 10-12 Page 3 James Cook and his Pages 6-7 Endeavour voyage What’s On Our Four Major The David Robinson 2020 Pages 4-5 Plant Collections Papers Archived Page 3 Pages 8-9 Pages 12

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Chairman’s Letter It hardly seems possible but this will taking part in a number of prestigious what was it in Lincolnshire during 18th be the last Sir Joseph Banks Magazine events culminating in a Reception in and 19th centuries that bred these of this decade A decade that saw the House of Lords on November 12th. extraordinary adventurers? your Society progress from a small Please make notes of all the dates in group of enthusiasts to an established your diaries. Our website contains a Finally may I thank everybody who organisation that is financially sound list of these events which is constantly contributed to the recent President’s with a secure tenancy in the Joseph updated, so please check it out. Lecture held in October; our President Banks Centre. From this base we have Libby not only found the speaker developed a worldwide membership, There is an opportunity for members to Prof Simon Pearson who spoke on organised a national class exhibition in join us at the House of Lords Reception. Sir Joseph Banks role in Lincolnshire Lincoln, created an impressive tribute Any paid-up member can email or write Agriculture, but also arranged a superb garden and, in collaboration with to our Membership Secretary Stuart lecture hall; we really are benefiting from partners, the 21st Century Herbarium. Crooks and ask to be entered in a ballot our ever closer friendship with Lincoln None of this would have been possible for a place on the guest list. Please do University. without our own “giants” Jim Hopkins, this by the end of the year. Simon Sargeant and David Robinson I hate to say this so soon but Happy who sadly are no longer with us. We are delighted to hear that our Christmas and New Year. friends at Donnington have succeeded Next year is the bicentenary of Sir in their bid to have the remains of Bob Wayne Joseph’s death, the Society will be Matthew Flinders returned to his home town. Banks, Flinders and Franklin – What’s On 2020 Please look out for further details by clicking on the 2020 tab on our website Banks Birthday Celebration - 9th February 2020 Boston Sinfonia - St Mary’s Church, Horncastle Saturday 11th July 2020 One day History of Science Conference (on Twitter) This concert is organised in conjunction with the Sir Joseph 12th February 2020 Banks Society to mark the bicentenary of the influential The British Society for the History of Science is holding its first naturalist’s death. Beethoven Leonora Overture No 1, digital conference, using the social media platform Twitter. This Beethoven Two Romances for Violin and Orchestra, Beethoven one-day conference, on the theme of global and international Egmont Overture, Beethoven Symphony No 7, Violin Soloist histories of STEM, is a great chance to get creative! Anne Dales. The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the world’s greatest ever British Science Week - week commencing composers. In this concert we present some of Beethoven’s 9th March 2020 crowning achievements including the symphony which was As part of our events marking British Science week, his own personal favourite. (6th-15th March 2020) the Sir Joseph Banks Society will be holding a number of science related activities in association Bishop Patteson Worek to Visit Horncastle with our Love Lincs Plants partners, the Natural History Week commencing 14th July 2020 Museum, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalist It’s not every day that a Bishop calls round but in 2020 that Union and Lincoln University. is exactly what will be happening at the Joseph Banks centre Our focus will be on botany and genetics. when Bishop Patteson Worek of the Banks and Torres Islands will visit us. Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up Annual Lecture - May 2020 of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometres of which the Banks Island is a constituent. They were first explored by Explore Banks Churches in Lincolnshire – 21st May 2020 William Bligh of the British Navy, and named after his patron This special event marks the 200 year anniversary of the death Sir Joseph Banks, they were then charted by Matthew Flinders. of Sir Joseph Banks. Enjoy an executive coach tour, exploring The society has been raising money to help pay for children’s the hidden delights of Lincolnshire focussed on Sir Joseph education on Vanuatu for a number of years, and next year the Banks (1743-1820) botanist, explorer and President of the Bishop will make a special 200 year anniversary visit to receive Royal Society. The tour includes visits to St Lawrence Church a further donation. Revesby, St Helen’s Church, Mareham le Fen, St Benedict Church, Scrivelsby (home of the Champions) and concluding at Heckington Show - Lincolnshire – 25th & 26th July 2020 St Mary’s church Horncastle with a Lincolnshire afternoon tea The largest village show in England is the chance for the followed by a visit to the Joseph Banks centre. society to meet and greet members of the public who visit this amazing 2 day show. (Sat. 25th and Sun. 26th July 2020) We will Lincoln Cathedral – One Day Seminar be displaying our Love Lincolnshire Plants project Saturday 20th June 2020 but also highlighting the 200 year anniversary of Sir Joseph This one day seminar within one of the greatest Cathedrals Banks death. in Europe will seek to do justice to the life and achievements of Sir Joseph Banks. This major occasion is the nearest date Heritage Open Days to the bicentenary of Sir Joseph Banks death. Speakers and Annual Dinner - September 2020 programme to be announced shortly. Erasmus Darwin House Seminar Day - 14th October 2020 Event at Revesby - 21st June 2020 House of Lords Reception - 12th November 2020 President’s Lecture - November www.joseph-banks.org.uk 3

Paul Scott considers conflicting contemporary perspectives on the achievement of James Cook and his Endeavour voyage His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour departed most likely influenced his decision to She must therefore go forward.’ I would from Plymouth, England, on 25 August accept the posting, contend that most of the experienced 1768 commanded by Lieutenant James officers and ratings onboard would Cook. He was accompanied by a small At the same time, a young and also have known this and may have group of natural philosophers led by the wealthy natural philosopher was discussed it with others. young Joseph Banks. Few knew that on lobbying The Royal Society to allow him their return almost three years later they to take charge of the scientific party on Along with the secret orders would become the most famous people board Endeavour. This was of course from the Admiralty, there were also in the land and that the Endeavour Joseph Banks, who was chosen to accompanying ‘Hints’ issued by the voyage would be celebrated as one of lead the ‘scientific gentlemen’ which Royal Society to Banks and Cook. These the greatest journeys ever made. Today, was the term given to them by Cook. were even more specific in terms of how however, questions about this voyage The group consisted of Banks plus his this voyage should deal with people they and Cook’s two later voyages are being assistants Daniel Solander and Herman encountered. James Douglas, 14th Earl raised. They concern the impact on the Spöring, astronomer Charles Green, and of Morton, who was President of The Pacific regions and Cook’s role in the artists Sydney Parkinson and Alexander Royal Society, advised everyone: death of indigenous people. Buchan. “To exercise the utmost patience and The scientific focus of the Endeavour’s The choice of Banks was undoubtedly forbearance with respect to the Natives voyage was the transit of Venus, to be in part due to the fact that he contributed of the several Lands where the Ship observed on Tahiti on 3 June 1769. £10,000 towards the voyage costs. may touch. To check the petulance of Relations with the native people on the Today this would equate to many the Sailors, and restrain the wanton island were reasonable at the start. millions of Pounds. For comparison, it’s use of Fire Arms. To have it still in view Cook was very vigilant to ensure that interesting to note that James Cook’s that sheding [sic] the blood of those his officers and crew did all that was wages were about £300 for the three- people is a crime of the highest nature: possible to avoid tension. However, a year voyage. – They are human creatures, the work theft did lead to the first Tahitian being of the same omnipotent Author, equally killed, and petty larceny increased Of great significance were the under his care with the most polished tensions towards the end of the Admiralty’s secret and sealed orders European; perhaps being less offensive, three-month stay on the island. When that Cook had been given. These were more entitled to his favor. They are the Endeavour left Tahiti it did so with an to be opened after he and the crew had natural, and in the strictest sense of the additional person on board: Tupiai, a witnessed the transit of Venus at Tahiti. word, the legal possessors of the several local priest and navigator whose skills You can read the orders by following the Regions they inhabit. No European proved invaluable on the dangerous link below. Nation has a right to occupy any part voyage across the Pacific. Cook’s Secret Orders type the of their country or settle among them following into your browser - https:// without their voluntary consent.” Eventually they arrived in today’s www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/ New Zealand, at Tuuranga-Nui which transcripts/nsw1_doc_1768.pdf 1 Reflecting upon the deaths referred to was the Mãori name for the area. Cook above, along with subsequent tensions later called it Poverty Bay, and its major I think the instructions are very clear and deaths, do we really believe that city today is called Gisborne. Almost about how the indigenous peoples Cook would stray so far from the orders immediately there were problems. should be treated, and also the desired of the Admiralty and the Royal Society Western writers describe how Cook outcomes of the voyage. These were unless he thought that his crew were in and Banks, together with a party of commercial benefit to Great Britain and danger? Or was this an over-reaction British marines, went ashore seeking the advancement of knowledge in all after months spent at sea? fresh water and supplies. Suddenly a areas of natural science. group of Maoris threatened them, and There are many debates today about the British fired musket shots. This The label ‘secret’ is interesting; I what actually happened at that first resulted in the death of a Mãori who suspect that many official sealed orders incident at Gisborne. One perspective was apparently a chief. Over the next issued by the Admiralty would likewise is that the aggressive stance taken by few days a total of nine Mãori were have been ‘secret’. They were clearly the Mãori on the beach was probably a killed. These incidents are at the heart not particularly secret, since as early as ceremonial dance or challenge similar of the current controversy about Captain April of that year Joseph Banks wrote a to today’s ‘Haka’. Most people would Cook’s impact on the Pacific and about letter to Thomas Falconer in which he agree that the movements would appear commemorating his arrival in New mentioned ‘Terra Australis Incognita’ and aggressive to non-Maoris unfamiliar Zealand. begs him the favour of not mentioning with their culture. Another possible it again. On 16 August, just over a week factor was the existing tensions among The Royal Society considered the prior to sailing, Banks wrote to William the iwi (tribe’s) in the area. Could the Endeavour voyage a scientific mission; Perrin stating that ‘this [i.e. Tahiti] would most likely explanation be that it was a it had first petitioned the King to support not be the extent of it, a ship in the misunderstanding, and not aggression, the idea. Cook’s avid scientific curiosity middle of the South Seas would never that led to these tragic deaths? attempt to turn against the SE Trade. 4 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

Joseph Banks was haunted by what britains-half-hearted-apology-isnt- would contend, was the real start of happened at Tuuranga-Nui, writing about good-enough colonisation/invasion that was to result the incident in his journal for that day: over many years in heinous crimes I understand the strength of feeling against indigenous people in all of the “Thus, ended the most disagreeable around the ill-conceived and insensitive Pacific regions. This is what the British day My life has yet seen, black be the re-enactment of the Endeavour sailing government, and latterly the Australian mark for it and heavan [sic] send that into Gisborne bay. It seems that the and New Zealand governments, should such may never return to embitter New Zealand government misjudged be sincerely apologising for. future reflection.” 2 the likely response, and the offence that would be caused by celebrating Cook Two very different voyaging cultures There is another controversial question and his arrival. Also, the British High clashed for the first time when the I would ask. The Mãori were fierce Commissioner, Laura Clarke, offered Endeavour crew landed in New Zealand. in battle; wars between tribes were “expressions of regret” instead of taking Up until this voyage Europeans thought commonplace. Did the loss of those full responsibility for the impacts of that they alone were masters of the killed in this encounter really change the Cook’s voyages. oceans and of navigation. Cook must course of history? Considering that trade have been amazed at the skills of the between the Maori and the Endeavour However, reading on I was surprised navigator Tupaia who proved to be crew re-commenced a few days later, to see the following in The Guardian an immediate asset on the immense one might assume that while the deaths article: voyage between Tahiti and New Zealand. were terrible, the incidents were not Cook’s professional eye would also have hugely significant at the time. Those who Today, 250 years later, Mãori are no noticed the boat-building skills of the dabble in history must recognise that longer self-governing, their waterways Polynesians. Here then were a people beliefs, values and expectations have are severely degraded, and for an who had already populated the Pacific changed with the passage of time. On unacceptably high number of Mãori, regions, who understood that the sun the other hand, the killing of an elder the risk of dying an early death, and the moon and the stars could be would have been felt keenly. As far as or becoming homeless, or being used to voyage thousands of miles East they were concerned, they were making incarcerated, is an all too likely reality. to West. a normal approach – albeit to strangers. The approach was misinterpreted. They So, my question is this: 250 years There is no doubt that things would knew nothing of guns, and it must have later can we put all of these present-day never be the same again for the Mãori, been a frightening experience. problems faced by the Mãori onto the nor for Cook. His increasingly draconian shoulders of Lieutenant James Cook? Or actions against indigenous people on We know that Te Maru was the was it as the author of the article says, his second and third voyages led to him chief who was killed. He was an elder, “Britain’s imperial expansion that led to paying the ultimate price at Kealakekua and incredibly skilled in horticulture; those deaths?” Bay in Hawaii. Here, in response to a he also managed gardens and the stolen Cutter (small boat), he tried to food supply for his iwi. This is sadly Cook was a mere Lieutenant when kidnap a Hawaiian chief. Cook’s shore ironic considering that Banks and his he commanded Endeavour. He did not party was over-whelmed, and Cook colleague aboard the Endeavour, the come from an aristocratic background; was beaten and stabbed to death. Four naturalist Daniel Solander, wanted to he was the child of a farm labourer. He marines and 17 Hawai’ians were also learn as much as possible about the had risen through the ranks of the Navy killed. Cook’s body was dismembered new plants they were discovering.3 where his actions in the Seven Years’ and part burnt; what was left of him was This was a lost opportunity to learn from War proved that he was a skilled and returned to his crew and he was buried Te Maru about the things they were most competent seaman. He did important at sea. interested in. and successful work on maps and navigation in Newfoundland, and on the The Mãori today, despite deep social My thoughts on all of this were St Lawrence river in Canada during the and economic disadvantage, have stimulated by an article in The Guardian siege of Quebec. It was this that brought managed to keep much of their culture on 5 October 2019 that discussed him to the attention of the Admiralty. through the art of storytelling, and 250 James Cook’s arrival in New Zealand. I years later they are finding their voices to felt that this article needed a response. His two later voyages were markedly speak proudly again about their land. I sought advice from people who were more violent than the Endeavour voyage, much more knowledgeable than I am and their intentions were more related 1 Museum of New South Wales, Australia about the sensitivities that exist around to Imperialism and claiming lands for 2 Carter H.B. Sir Joseph Banks. - pg. 85 this subject than me. The advice given the British Crown. Later years saw the 3 I am indebted to Bindy Barclay, society was: ‘keep away from this Paul, it is a hot eventual settlement of Europeans in both potato’. At this same time some Joseph Australia and New Zealand. Some of this member and New Zealand resident for a Banks Society members, including me, settlement was recommended by the Mãori interpretation. began a short course run by Future now Sir Joseph Banks who as President 4 https://www.futurelearn.com/ Learn entitled ‘Confronting Captain of the Royal Society reported to a House 5 Journal of the House of Commons Cook: Memorialisation in museums and of Commons committee that: Volume 37 (1778-1780) 1803) p311 public spaces’. It raises important issues Further Reading and provided me with some context to “…he apprehended there would be little Captain Cook and the Pacific – McAleer John construct a response to The Guardian Probability of any opposition from the & Rigby Nigel - Published by Yale 2017 article. What follows is a personal view Natives, as, during his Stay there in Picturing the Pacific, Joseph Banks and the and not necessarily those of the Society. the Year 1770, he saw very few and did shipboard artists of Cook and Flinders. not think there were about Fifty in all Taylor James – Bloomsbury 2018 First of all, to understand the the Neighbourhood, and had Reason background to this, follow the link which to believe the Country was very thinly takes you to The Guardian article. Or peopled.” 5 type the following into your browser Thus, he was justifying the settlement https://www.theguardian.com/ on the basis of Terra Nullius or “empty commentisfree/2019/oct/05/cooks- land” – which clearly it was not. Eighteen arrival-was-a-disaster-for-maori- more years were to pass before the first fleet set sail for Australia. This, I www.joseph-banks.org.uk 5

The Tribute Garden The Tribute Garden is now ten years old. It has grown from strength to of Engelbert Kaempfer’s drawings of a small selection of plants for sale strength. It was set up in 2009 thanks Japanese plants to those going. The throughout the year. However, you to generous support from the Heritage failure of the expedition was a great can see all the plants on our website Lottery Fund, Big Lottery’s Breathing disappointment. joseph-banks.org.uk. Follow the links Spaces Fund and the Lincolnshire via Botany, Tribute Garden, Garden Community Foundation’s Grass We are delighted to be growing Plants leading to plant listing. The Roots Scheme. Sir Joseph Banks was Bomarea edulis, a climbing member latter is a comprehensive alphabetical first and foremost a botanist and of the Alstromeria family which is list telling you about the plants in the this garden illustrates the width of illustrated in Banks’ Florilegium. Two garden . his search for plants throughout the recent improvements in the garden world. Many were collected by Banks are the excellent new weatherproof This excellent digital system has himself on the Endeavour. Soon labels which Stuart Crooks has been developed by Trevor Olsson, to after his return in 1771 Banks was organised and Bob Wayne’s new whom we are exceedingly grateful. presented to George Ill who invited watering system which the plants, The garden has relied entirely on him to Kew. He was henceforth to especially the Gunnera, have much wonderful volunteer help since 2009 encourage collectors such as Francis appreciated. and I hope Sir Joseph Banks would be Masson in South Africa and William proud of us. Kerr and the Duncan brothers in This delightful small garden is China amongst others to send plants open during the week and access Sally Bruce-Gardyne to Kew to make it a truly Royal Botanic is free. It is at its best from the end Garden Coordinator Garden. William Townsend Alton, the of May to the end of October when second Superintendent of Kew, aptly we prepare for the winter. There is summed up Banks’ contribution: “His Majesty’s Collection is most especially indebted to Sir Joseph Banks who has procured loads of seeds and plants from all parts of the World at his own expense.” All the plants in the Tribute Garden have a direct association with Banks. We are indebted to the painstaking research of Pat Hickson and the plantsmanship of the late Gwen Grantham for the original choice of plants. Some were too tender and did not survive. We have been grateful to the students, clients and tutors at Linkage in Scremby for taking care of others during the winter months. These include the Strelitzia regina, reputedly Banks’ favourite flower which he named in honour of Queen Charlotte the wife of King George III: formerly Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The original Eucalyptus has been removed and a smaller one planted at ground level at the back of the garden. The same treatment has been given to the Macleaya cordata, a beautiful but thuggish plume poppy. This was one of the few plants brought back from China with the Macartney Expedition in 1792. Banks had been heavily involved and hopeful that this expedition to set up diplomatic relations with hitherto reclusive China, would be successful botanically. He even sent ‘Hints on the Subject of Gardening...’ and copies 6 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

Ten Years on Gwen Grantham and Jean Shaftoe www.joseph-banks.org.uk 7

The Sir Joseph Banks Society’s Role in Conserving and Promoting Appreciation of Lincolnshires Plants Our Four Major Plant Collections Seaward – Herbarium & Switzerland). A catalogue of the secure it safely in facilities designed for In 2015, Professor Mark Seaward kindly contents has been prepared, and the the protection of plant specimens, while donated his Herbarium (a collection of collection is currently being digitized by using state of the art imaging facilities pressed plants mounted on good quality undergraduates from Lincoln University. to make these available to view online. paper) to the Sir Joseph Banks Society. You can see the progress to date on our Currently approximately 30% of the This collection of flowering plants and society website – https://www.joseph- historic collection has been conserved ferns, assembled over the past half banks.org.uk/seaward-herbarium/ and catalogued. century, comprises about 858 sheets Love Lincolnshire Plants – (excluding duplicates) of specimens The New Lincolnshire Herbarium Inspired by Sir Joseph Banks, amassed by numerous collectors over Thanks to money raised by National the project aims to enthuse the next the period 1888-1991, but mainly in the Lottery players, this three year project generation of botanists by making a 1950s, 1960s and 1980s. In all, more has created a partnership with the new archive of Lincolnshire’s plants; this than 608 taxa (species & varieties) in Natural History Museum in London, The ‘New Lincolnshire Herbarium’ will be 287 genera are represented from c. 330 Sir Joseph Banks Society, Lincolnshire retained and displayed at the Sir Joseph British, c. 203 Irish, 19 Channel Island, Naturalists’ Union and the University Banks Centre in Horncastle as well as a c. 302 Foreign & 4 non-localized areas. of Lincoln to inspire a new generation duplicate collection at the Natural History Mounted specimens in folders are of botanists; helping to safeguard Museum. Through working with students housed in boxes and filed numerically our understanding of plants and the at The University of the Lincoln, both according to the generic and specific environment for the future. Over the last the historic and 21st century collection numbers provided in Dandy, J.E. 150 years the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ is also providing a vital tool for scientific (1958, List of British Vascular Plants, Union has compiled a huge collection research into climate change and plant London). Most of the British material of over 9000 plant specimens, including genetics; helping to address plant has been collected from Lincolnshire some of Lincolnshire’s rarest plants. extinction on a local and national level. and Yorkshire, but specimens However, with no proper storage facilities Teams of botanists and volunteers, co- from 23 other English counties are available in Lincolnshire the collection ordinated by the Lincolnshire Naturalist represented (Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, was at serious risk of deterioration. Union, and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon, Dorset, Fortunately, as part of the National have been busy collecting plants from Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Lottery funded project the Natural every type of habitat in the County, a Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, History Museum in London have now massive job with over 700 specimens Lancashire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, received the collection and is working to collected already. You can see our Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, progress to date on the society website. Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, Volunteer Gwyneth Owen – https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/llp/ Staffordshire, Surrey, Wiltshire & mounting a recently collected Worcestershire), as well as from five in dried plant specimen prior Wales (Cardigan, Carnarvon, Merioneth, to digital scanning as part of Montgomery & Pembroke), from five the Love Lincs Plants project in Scotland (Dumfries, Fife, Lothian, Perthshire & Stirlingshire), and from the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Herm & Jersey). There are also specimens from 15 Irish counties (Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Mayo, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford & Wicklow). In addition, there are specimens from 29 other countries/ regions/islands (Africa (NW), Australia, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Carpathians, Chagos Archipelago, Corsica, Croatia, Crete, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Madeira, Montenegro, Morocco, Poland, Pyrenees, Romania, Sardinia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain 8 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

Aiden Neary and Paul Scott showing the Love Lincs Plants project to the Lincolnshire Gardens Trust council of management members. Miss Edith Lane-Claypon – are now available to buy either mounted know which were hardy enough to Botanic Art Collection or framed. stay outside and which we needed to In 2017 the Society unearthed the Joseph Banks Tribute Garden lift and take into Winter shelter. This collection of stunning wildflower The influence of Sir Joseph Banks, one practice is still carried out and we are watercolours by Miss May Lane-Claypon of Lincolnshire’s most famous sons and grateful to Linkage Community Trust for (later Mrs E M Cheales) which were one of the greatest figures in Georgian their support. re-discovered after spending over a England is to be found not only here hundred years in a cloth bag, in the in Horncastle, but also Worldwide. The idea was initiated and co- custody of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ However, this is still not adequately ordinated by Jean Shaftoe with the Union. recognised and therefore the aim of the assistance of a small dedicated team society is to stimulate interest in his life of supporters. Pat Hickson spent many May Lane-Claypon was born in 1872 and achievements through their many hours researching plant origins to and lived at Wyberton near Boston. She activities and members. ensure the majority of specimens had trained at the Slade School of Art and a connection with Banks, and the late also studied in Germany. She became One such aim has been the Gwen Grantham devised the planting a knowledgeable botanist at a very development of our Tribute garden to scheme. early age, and developed a passion Sir Joseph Banks here in his town of for illustrating the plants that she found Horncastle. It is remarkable what has A student from Riseholme College, growing near her home. She married been achieved by the society in the Vee Reed, designed the raised Rev Cheales of Friskney and later in life very short period since it was formed beds and pathways providing an produced wonderful religious paintings in 2006, and the garden which was excellent environment for the garden for Friskney church and turned her hand opened in 2010 is part of those many development. However, the project to portrait and landscape painting. achievements. would not exist without the support of the Big Lottery’s Breathing Spaces and the These amazing botanical watercolour At the time, when we were considering Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s paintings by May are now held by the the garden and the plant lists one Kew Grass Roots scheme. Sir Joseph Banks Society and have expert expressed doubt regarding some been catalogued and scanned at high plants surviving in the frozen wastes of The garden has developed and resolution. It is particularly pleasing Lincolnshire. Unfortunately, these words grown into a real jewel in the centre of to have this collection which fits very were prophetic and coincided with two Horncastle, and has also become a well into our work with our very own of the worst winters we had seen in symbol of the legacy of Joseph Banks in botanic artists who paint at the Joseph Lincolnshire for many years and they Lincolnshire and the wider world. Banks Centre. Prints of the Mrs Cheales did result in some plant loss. It was an collection (154 of her larger works expensive lesson, but it did help us to The Curation of this collection has a measuring approximately 10 x 14 inches) special term that we use – it’s called GARDENING. Paul Scott www.joseph-banks.org.uk 9

Book Reviews Endeavour: The Ship and the Attitude that Changed the World by Peter Moore This book, published on the 250th women. The social history elements the ‘remarkable’ botanist and intrepid anniversary of the Endeavour voyage, here are very interesting, as are man of science, Joseph Banks”. (p126). makes the case that Endeavour accounts of the building of the colliers embodied, both in name and in deed, themselves and the culture of the town. Part Three of the book, ‘Exploration’, the spirit of the Enlightenment. A prodigious amount of research has has 109 pages in which the author The book begins with the story of a gone into this biography of Whitby, and, describes the Endeavour voyage – British émigré journalist in the 1850s indeed, into the whole book. after a biography of Banks. Whilst being shown a remnant of the ship in the readers of this review will be well Newport, Rhode Island. He was inspired The chapter, ‘Cross Currents’, is acquainted with the facts of the voyage, to write a very long biographical poem, concerned with the national politics this is an account that is very engaging, ‘An Ocean Fragment’, which was not and economics of the time, but the life not only because of the author’s own entirely truthful. Moore contends that and times of the Whitby colliers and interpretations of the circumstances “the truth was much richer than he could the Earl of Pembroke are not forgotten. but also because of his prose which ever have imagined” (p5). The strands are cleverly interwoven. evokes how things must have seemed Benjamin Franklin and John Wilkes to the crew. The main events of the Moore then gives an erudite account feature on the national stage: Thomas voyage are interspersed with appropriate of the meaning and nuances of the Milner, a master mariner, features on the quotes from the main protagonists. word ‘endeavour’ as used by several local stage, as he takes his new ship on One example of Moore’s insertions is a authorities, Shakespeare and Hobbes sea trials. Milner is illiterate, which was quote from Edmund Burke ‘about the amongst them, and theorises as to often a crippling social embarrassment psychological process humans undergo why the Admiralty conferred the name at that time, but not for him on account when they encounter new objects’ Endeavour on the Whitby collier The Earl of his superb seamanship. (p216) which brings a fresh, interesting of Pembroke in 1768. “An endeavour slant to the story. On page 220 Moore was a bold project, undertaken with A further strand here is an account of quotes a depiction of Endeavour by the conviction, often for the benefit of Lord Hawke’s victory over the French Badtjala people of Fraser Island recently the public and at high speed……… fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in translated into English. It includes the Endeavour, then, was a fundamental 1759. Moore points out this victory was phrase ‘that rainbow serpent place’ component of the Enlightenment possible because Hawke’s fleet was which Moore uses as a chapter heading, approach and it was in the years resupplied at sea – by a fleet of Whitby another instance of the author’s 1750-80 that the impulse was at its colliers. extensive research and interest in strongest” (p8). The fact NASA too used his subject. the name does not go unmentioned. ‘Mr Birds Ways’ is the intriguing name of the next chapter which sees the entry Part Four, ‘War’, deals with the There follows a brief description of The Royal Society and Alexander aftermath of the Endeavour voyage, the and biography of the ship before Dalrymple into the story. Moore explains scientific aspects – ‘difficult to pinpoint an acknowledgement that the ship the purposes of the voyage and the exactly what the Endeavour voyage Endeavour can evoke widely different case for Dalrymple to command the had achieved. Nothing new had really reactions in people. As Moore implies, expedition and why he did not. The been found’ (p254) – and the social the last word has not been written on chapter’s title is the name of the London aspects. On the next page there is a these various resonances. wharf where an Admiralty representative perceptive paragraph concerning Banks’ approached Thomas Milner about the phrase ‘almost providential’ relating In Part One, ‘Life’, there is just one purchase of his collier. The author often to Endeavour’s near wrecking on the chapter of 14 pages in which the paints the wider picture before linking it Barrier Reef and religion. Dalrymple and author describes the origin of the ship’s with the Endeavour. Franklin re-enter the story, the former timbers, from an acorn to a felled oak experiencing sour grapes and the latter transported to the Whitby shipyard. The final chapter in Part Two, ‘Land keen for hard knowledge about what Along the way there are references to of Liberty’, is about the political scene had been experienced. Banks’ reaction Rachel Carson, Oliver Rackham, Charles in England with John Wilkes to the fore to the Resolution debacle when he II, John Evelyn and Greek mythology, and Benjamin Franklin, amongst others. was denied the Second Voyage is well early indications of the book’s scope. Rioting in Wilkes’s name reached documented and the author obviously Deptford and threatened Endeavour. admires Banks but does not let him Part Two, ‘Trade’, begins with a In the vicinity was James Cook, ‘tall, off lightly about his behaviour. The first history of Whitby by way of St Hilda and purposeful, calm, deliberate’ (p115), chapter in Part Four ends with Cook Caedmon before the introduction of obviously not the rioting type, and so the by now on Resolution ‘mending his contemporaneous figures of importance author leads into his account of Cook’s friendship’ with Banks. (p267). in the town such as Lionel Charlton, and the Endeavour’s preparations set schoolmaster and mathematician, against the background of the current Chapter 11, the second chapter Jarvis Coates, shipbuilder, and Thomas state of politics, of knowledge about in Part Four, is entitled ‘The Frozen Fishburn, innovative shipbuilder and the Pacific and the news from America. Serpent of the South’, Burke’s name social climber. This chapter is entitled Eventually the Endeavour was crammed ‘Enigmas’ the term given to complex full with men and supplies yet “with just mathematical problems that were printed about room for its most curious and in ‘The Ladies’ Diary’, first published in colourful cargo of all. This was a ‘suite’ 1704, and enjoyed by Whitby’s educated or group of supernumaries belonging to 10 SIR JOSEPH BANKS Society

for the Falkland Islands (p277), the her strangeness, her unknown capacities aspects of Endeavour’s voyage and relevance of this being Endeavour’s or from incomplete understandings of the very interesting descriptions of the change of role – from exploration to her technology. By contrast, in New contemporaneous politics and events. supplying the Falkland Islands’ garrison. York people were all too aware of the At this point Moore describes Lord significance of these transports. As they The book’s dust jacket is very eye- Sandwich’s altercation with John Wilkes, watched the Hessians disembark with catching, the 1768 ship’s plans are Sandwich and Endeavour still being their equipment and munitions, everyone reproduced in the endpapers, and the connected. It was an unsentimental Lord knew what was to come’ (p315). book has many appropriate illustrations. Sandwich who ordered the stripping of There is a bibliography and 25 pages Endeavour of scientific instruments and Chapter 13, ‘Ghosts’, is a poignant of notes, a rich resource for further a diminishing of status. There is also a one. Endeavour/Lord Sandwich research. In the final paragraph of the full description of life on the Falklands became a prison ship and Moore writes, ‘Acknowledgements’ there is the most and more on the activities of Franklin ‘The Lord Sandwich had become a touching one. and America. Indeed it was now 1775 perversion of everything Endeavour had and the first shots had been fired at represented’ (p328) and he goes on Towards the end of the book Moore Lexington and Concord. Endeavour to describe how the ship had always writes: ‘The span of Endeavour’s life, was spared the scrapyard because been a hub of purposeful activity until 1764-1778, forms a crucial mini epoch in the British had amassed a large fleet this point. From prison ship to blockade the development of Western society. It to move their army to America. One of ship: in August 1778 Lord Sandwich opens just after the Treaty of Paris amid the troopships was the Lord Sandwich, was scuttled at the entrance to Newport, the first stir of problems in America. It formerly Endeavour. Rhode Island. ends with France’s entry to the war and the beginning of the process of Chapter 12, ‘The Collier Fleet’, is The final chapter, ‘Epilogue: reimaging empire: from British America an account of relevant aspects of Endeavours’, is one of many very to British Australia’ (p344). the American War of Independence. interesting connections Moore makes There is an evocative description of the across time, space and spheres – With this most imaginatively Lord Sandwich carrying 206 Hessian from James Cook to Ray Parkin, from constructed biography of Endeavour mercenaries across the Atlantic, a Joseph Banks to Averil Lysaght, to name Peter Moore has proved his thesis far cry from Endeavour’s role. Moore just two. implicit in the title and has provided a writes ‘When sailing in the Pacific as very entertaining guide to a complex Endeavour, the ship had emitted a The author has written a fine book that historical period. mystic air. Often her power came from should appeal strongly to members of the two societies because of its depth Patrick Kaye of scholarship, the interpretation of Picturing the Pacific by James Taylor When Sir David Attenborough no Westall to exhibit Australian and Pacific Endeavour for scientific recording. less, expresses delight at receiving a pictures in the many London-based We then continue onto Cook’s second complimentary copy of a book, you societies. know that you are in for a treat, and I’m and third voyages together with the sure that this seminal work exploring The introduction gives a general voyage of the Investigator commanded Sir Joseph Banks' major contribution overview of Joseph Banks, his early life, by Matthew Flinders. In these sections to ship-board art will not disappoint education and the Endeavour Voyage; James Taylor introduces us to some of the reader. this of course links Banks to his lifelong the great voyager artists of the period, interest in Australia and the Pacific including William Hodges (1744-1797) James Taylor was a consultant for the region. There is also an explanation of John Webber (1751-1793) William Pacific Encounters permanent gallery how much of the voyager art exhibited Westall (1781-1850) Ferdinand Bauer at the National Maritime Museum. He is neoclassical styles, and how Banks, and (1760-1826). the author of Voyage of the Beagle and indeed the Admiralty board, supported Pack Up Your Troubles, both published this. It was the Society of Dilettanti We also learn how increasingly, by Bloomsbury. This together with which included many influential people Banks takes charge of producing the his doctoral research into the work of including Joseph Banks, that sought publications of the voyages, and in William Westall, the landscape and to encourage an interest in classical the case of the Investigator (Flinders) figure painter, has enabled James to antiquity. They, together with Banks, also Voyage the Admiralty gave him complete tell the story of these amazing artists sponsored new art in this classical style, control. who brought the first images of these and this can be seen in many of the new worlds back to Europe. It also great paintings featured in this book. In the section “Exploration Networks reveals how Sir Joseph Banks “the great and Pacific Research Centres”, the panjandrum of British Science” (David “Art and Illustrations of Pacific author attempts to describe the huge Attenborough, Lincoln 2014) played a Exploration” discusses the major networks that Joseph Banks was most major role in the placement of ship- voyages of the period and how Joseph active in; it would be impossible to board artists. Banks encourages voyager artists. The Endeavour Voyage was the only This is a hardback book with 256 voyage on which Banks participated; the pages split into 6 logical and easy to artists Alexander Buchan and Sydney follow chapters. At the end of the book, Parkinson recorded flora, fauna and there is a very useful index of artists importantly landscapes and coastlines. and artworks featured in the book. The These works were to become useful foreword is by Richard J. Westall a direct navigation aids for future expeditions. descendant of William Westall the artist Cook and Flinders on their later voyages who sailed with Matthew Flinders on the instructed artists to draw coastal profiles. circumnavigation of Australia from 1801- This section also reproduces Cook’s 1803. Chapter 6 details how Joseph secret orders in full and describes the Banks encouraged and helped William huge amount of equipment carried on www.joseph-banks.org.uk 11

cover them all, and most probably a “would make a sensational impact on his friendship with Paul Sandby 1731- further book would be required. The the visual art of Pacific exploration.” 1809 and the fact that he eventually connections with his Lincolnshire home owned a significant collection of Sandby at Revesby and his various estates Later chapters feature many paintings paintings which, incidentally, are now around the country together with his of Australia and the Pacific Islands where held in the Royal Collection. However, I London homes are well covered, that officially approved, neoclassical was not prepared for the web of artists particularly the importance of 32 Soho style is very evident, and as Taylor and voyages that James Taylor has spun Square, where much of his collections explains, was even used as a means of together in this book and certainly did were kept, and which became such an propaganda to make parts of the Pacific not appreciate the significance of important “public space” for many of his and Australia “appealing to European Sir Joseph Banks’ patronage of ship- “literary and philosophical friends.” sensibilities”, and to encourage future board art. voyages that could benefit Britain. There is a wonderfully short but Next year marks the bicentenary of Sir concise section on Banks’ character, The Death of Captain James Cook Joseph Banks death, and throughout personality and association with portrait painted c 1798 by Johan Zoffany (1733- this period there has been little painters; I would have liked to have read 1810) featured on page 142 of this book awareness of the role he played in the more about these topics, but that is a is a super example of this. cultural life of England and in particular personal preference. how science and art were so inextricably I confess that this book has linked, this superb book gives us yet The section closes with the re- challenged some perceptions that I another road to follow in the life of Sir enforcement of Banks’ passion for the had held about Banks and art, I knew Joseph Banks. classical world and how in particular his of course about the artwork of Sydney membership of the Society of Dilettanti Parkinson from the Endeavour Voyage Paul Scott and the Florilegium. I was also aware of The David Robinson Papers Archived at The Sir Joseph Banks Centre Ken Richard makes a Ken Richards has recently retired to start on cataloguing the Lincolnshire following a distinguished David Robinson bequest. career that involved biological research in the Antarctic. He – like Joseph Banks – has sailed the Pacific and made landings in remote places to make botanical collections. As he says, ‘Here I am and there is much to do!’ David Robinson (1927-2017) was a founding member and President of the Sir Joseph Banks Society and his family very kindly donated many of his papers to it. Since this donation there has been a great need for volunteers to step in and catalogue the many files full of interesting articles, handwritten notes, photographs and newspaper cuttings that David had collected. These focus mainly on Joseph Banks but also cover all things Lincolnshire. Ken is the latest volunteer to step in to fulfil this task. Patrons: Sir David Attenborough and The Rt Hon The Lord Waldegrave of North Hill President: Professor Libby John Sir Joseph Banks Society Trustees: Bob Wayne (Chairman), Stuart Crooks (Vice-Chairman and Membership Secretary), Richard Locke-Wheaton (Treasurer), Hon Secretary - Frances Carr, Heather Slater, Lady Sally Bruce-Gardyne (Garden Supervisor), Trevor Olsson (Website) and Paul Scott Contacts Magazine Editor: Heather Slater Letters to the editor and proposals for articles are always welcome. Email: [email protected] Sir Joseph Banks Centre – Headquarters and Shop 9-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ • Shop: 01507 700012 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.joseph-banks.org.uk Registered 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 Cupits, Horncastle • www.cupits.com