ng part in the voyage, and
then continues, "their baggage, etc., were got out of the sloop and sent
to London, after which no more complaints were heard of want of room,
etc."

Lieutenant Clerke, who was very friendly with Banks, wrote to him on 31st
May:

"Indeed I am sorry I'm not to have the honour of attending you the other
bout...They are going to stow the major part of the cables in the hold to
make room for the people now. I asked Gilbert [the Master], if such was
the present case, what the devil should we have done if we had all gone?
'Oh, by God, that was impossible,' was his answer."

Marra (the gunner's mate), in a Journal of the voyage, published by
Newberry, 1775, says the success of the voyage was due to their having
shaken off:

"the train of gentlemen, who with their attendants occupied the chief
accommodations of the ship," and whose presence would have rendered it
"out of the power of the most determined officer to have carried such a
princely retinue through the icy regions which they were to pass, without
murmurs, or perhaps mutiny."

Some of the newspapers tried to make political matter out of the affair,
and one at any rate roundly declared that "the true reason" of Banks's
withdrawal was on account of a remonstrance from the Spanish Ambassador
against any further exploration of the South Seas.

The withdrawal of Banks made no difference to his friendship with Cook,
and in the future he was always ready to afford his support whenever it
could be of any service either to his friend or family.

JOHN REINHOLD FORSTER.

As soon as it was known that Mr. Banks had withdrawn, Mr. John Reinhold
Forster, a German of some scientific reputation, applied for the position
of naturalist for the voyage, and, through the interest of Lord Sandwich,
was successful. He was to receive the 4000 pounds granted by Parliament
for Dr. Lynd, and was to pay all expenses, except ship's allowance of
food, and provide all necessary instruments. He was accompanied by his
son as assistant, a youth of about twenty years, who afterwards attained
some note by his writings and translations. Messrs. Wales and Bayley were
appointed astronomers by the Board of Longitude, with instructions to
take and compare observations at every possible opportunity, and to take
under their special charge the timepieces which were being carried on the
two ships for the purpose of testing their accuracy and capabilities in
assisting in ascerta