336 LIFE OF MILLER. 



fortunately for him, was Sir Hans Sloane. To this 

 good and great man, who proved both his friend and 

 patron, the foundation of Miller's future fame 

 may be considered in a great measure indebted. 

 Though it appeared that Miller had a good busi- 

 ness, and was much employed in planting and lay- 

 ing out gardens round the metropolis, yet, from 

 his many increasing engagements continually taking 

 him from home, he was induced to give up the 

 floral department, and attend entirely to the mul- 

 tifarious duties required of him by his friends and 

 brother gardeners. One of the principal calls made 

 upon him, was to give his assistance to Ellis, who 

 was then the foreman of the Chelsea garden. 



During this time, Miller acted as secretary to a 

 society composed of ten or twelve of the most ex- 

 perienced gardeners, nurserymen, and florists in 

 and about London, and perhaps in the kingdom. 

 Amongst the foremost of them was an intimate 

 friend of Miller's, Christopher Grey, of Fulham, 

 near which he established an extensive nursery. 

 Another particular acquaintance was a gentleman 

 of the name of Mark Catisby, who richly contri- 

 buted to the Fulham nursery, by the introduction 

 of many handsome American forest trees and 

 shrubs. 



The above society held weekly meetings, to dis- 

 cuss such horticultural matters as came before them 

 during the week, and to elicit, by the combination 

 of their ingenuity and experience, the best methods 

 of improving the various branches of their pro- 

 fession. These meetings continued for some time, 

 until, a serious difference arising amongst the mem- 



