vu 



medical profession, from which circumstance the mistake often arose, 

 to his own no small amusement, of his being addressed as the " Rev. 

 Dr. Bromfield." 



Shortly after his graduation. Dr. Bromfield commenced travelling 

 on the Continent of Europe, leaving England in 1826, and returning 

 home in 1830, after having visited France, and the greater part of 

 Italy and Germany. During these travels, his active mind was con- 

 stantly at work ; and the numerous and voluminous letters written 

 home at that time, evince that characteristic power and habit of obser- 

 vation which is still more observable in the correspondence of his 

 after travels. 



His first winter on the Continent was passed in Berlin and Ham- 

 burgh, where he perfected himself in the German language, which he 

 ever after spoke remarkably well, and where he became also well 

 acquainted with the literature of that language. 



His second winter was passed at Rome and Naples. While in 

 Italy, he became well acquainted both with the literature and music 

 of that country ; but though well acquainted theoretically with the 

 language, he never spoke it with ease. Dr. Bromfield's travels in 

 Italy extended into Sicily. 



The third and fourth winters, and the intervening period, of his tour 



were passed inTrance, chiefly in Paris and Montpellier, during which 



period the language of France became almost as familiar to him as 



his own. Dr. Bromfield's residence at Montpellier is interesting, from 



the fact of his having there made the acquaintance of M. Auguste de 



St. Hilaire and M. Dumal, the Professor of Botany, whose lectures he 



attended, and to whom he became much attached. It appears to 



have been at this time that Dr. Bromfield became more decidedly 



attached to botany. He had, it is true, now and then preserved a 



specimen whilst in Germany ; but it was while enjoying the society 



of M. Dumal that botany took that hold of his mind and talents which 

 it ever after retained. 



From Dr. Bromfield's return to England in 1830 until 1832, he 

 resided with his mother and sister at Hastings, Clifton, and South- 

 ampton. At this time (1832), he had the misfortune to lose his only 



