232 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE 



and there Allan's earlier years were passed. In due course 

 lie was sent to school at Putney, to the academy of the Rev. 

 Mr Adams, under whose care he received an excellent edu- 

 cation ; and of whose attentions he ever spoke with strong 

 feelings of affection and respect. After leaving school, he 

 was for a short time in a Conveyancer's office in Lincoln's 

 Inn ; hut the dull duties and prolix technicalities of the law 

 were subjects ill fitted for the investigating mind of Allan 

 Cunningham ; and fortunately for science, an introduction to 

 botanical pursuits was placed in his path, by his being engag- 

 ed by W. T. Alton, Esq., at the time the second edition of 

 the Hortus Kewensls was preparing. This situation was also 

 happily the means of introducing him to the notice of R. 

 Brown, Esq., while that talented gentleman and profound 

 botanist was superintending the progress of the latter volumes 

 of the above work through the press. Shortly after the pub- 

 lication of this work (1814), the political aspect of Europe 

 reverting once more to a state of peace, the subject of send- 

 ing out botanical collectors was revived by the late lamented 

 Sir Joseph Banks, and the superintendent of the Royal Bo- 

 tanic Gardens at Kew (Mr Alton), and the government hav- 

 ing acceded to the application of those gentlemen, arrange- 

 ments were subsequently made for forwarding two botanical 

 collectors to the southern hemisphere. Sir Joseph Banks, 

 having recommended Allan Cunningham as being competent 

 to fulfil the necessary duties of botanical collector to the 

 Royal Gardens at Kew, he received his appointment, which 

 bears date the 9th of September, 1814; and on the 3d of Oc- 

 tober, in company with Mr James Bowie, who was joined 

 with him in the commission, embarked at Spithead on board 

 the Duncan 74, commanded by Captain Chambers, and 

 finally sailed from Plymouth on the 29th of the same month. 

 On Christmas-day they sighted Cape Frio, and came to an- 



exploratory expedition to discover the course of the Darling River, m 

 April, 1835. For a memoir and portrait see Companion to Botanical 

 Magazine, vol. II., p. 210. Mitchell's Journeijs in Australia, vol. I- p- 

 177, &c. 



