Letter received by Banks from George Caley, 16 September 1798 (Series 18.013) - No. 0001

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Sir Joseph

Yesterday I received your letter, and am extremely sorry to find that at the present, the long desired hopes that have cost me more than I am able to point out must again fall to the ground. When I look back upon the labyrinthian road that I have travelled I am struck with amaze! Oft do I wonder how I ever surmounted the difficulties that I have met with!  I began with Botany at a very early age and though unaquainted at that period with any person of the same turn; I also cannot help acknowledging but I was ignorant then of there being any writings upon such a matter; notwithstanding all this, I believe I had then the spirit of an Enthusiast.  By a strong continued perseverance, I made daily some little progress, but for all I pursued the object with an enthusiastic vigilance, I met with many stumbling blocks; and though, but yet young in years, I am old in many of the affairs that have attracted my fancy. Enthusiasm is in general called a kind of frenzy, however let it be represented in what manner the censurers have a mind to adopt, it certainly is of utility to the people at large though it has unfortunately been the miss of many an individual. In my opinion, enthusiasm gives birth to many laudable purposes: a society to promote improvements, being void of it would make but a slow progress; it stimulates the mind to that degree, that every one wishes to excel his contemporary, these zealous opinions, being weighed or properly judged, may justly be deemed the fountain from whence improvements flow. Enthusiasm and imprudency to which may be added necessity, are generally the companions of a Genius.

Sept 18. Oct 4