1775—80.]

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

103

the pride of those who were fortunate enough to ob-tain it.”

The concluding portion of this resolution refers tothe discourses which Sir John Pringle was in thehabit of delivering at the Anniversaries , and whichwere so admirable, that their publication was imme-diately requested by the Society .

In reference to these discourses, Dr. Kippis says,

“ If he had continued to preside in the Chair of theRoyal Society , he would, no doubt, have found otheroccasions of displaying his acquaintance with thehistory of philosophy. But the opportunities whichhe had of signalizing himself in this respect were im-portant in themselves, happily varied and sufficient togain him a solid and lasting reputation. Perhaps itwould not be desirable that publications of such anature should be very numerous, since, by that means,they might lose by degrees ther novelty, their utility,and their acceptance. We do not therefore think thatin this particular view Sir John Pringle ought to beconsidered as a model to his successors. It is bestthat each President should distinguish himself in thatway which is peculiarly suited to his own pursuits andstudies; for thus every valuable object being regardedin its turn, the honour of the Society, and the inter-ests of philosophical and natural knowledge will mostessentially be promoted 18 .”

Sir Joseph Banks 19 was born on the 2nd of Feb-ruary, 1743, 0. S., in Argyle Street, London 20 . He

18 Life , by Kippis, p. 48.

19 I am indebted to Robert Brown, Esq., F.R.S., for assist-ance in compiling this memoir.

20 The Register-book of the Royal Society also states that hewas born on the 2nd February.