Perhaps a subject which would furnish materials for as rich a production as Camoen's Lusiad, and which would adorn the pen of a Hayley or a Cowper, may hereafter call forth the genius of some poet of the stronger sex.
The Royal Society of London could not lose such a member of their body as Captain Cook, without being anxious to honour his name and memory by a particular mark of respect.

Accordingly, it was resolved to do this by a medal; and a voluntary subscription was opened for the purpose.

To such of the fellows of the society as subscribed twenty guineas, a gold medal was appropriated: silver medals were assigned to those who contributed a smaller sum; and to each of the other members one in bronze was given.

The subscribers of twenty guineas were, Sir Joseph Banks, president; the Prince of Anspach, the Duke of Montague, Lord Mulgrave and Mr.Cavendish, Mr.Peachy, Mr.Perrin, Mr.Poli, and Mr.Shuttleworth.Many designs, as might be expected, were proposed on the occasion.

The medal which was actually struck contains, on one side, the head of Captain Cook in profile, and round it, JAC.