vi MEMOIRS OF THE 
the possessor is in sufficient affluence to indulge in so wide 
a field. Not so our friend, who was doomed to live by his 
profession ; which took up his time, whilst his thoughts were 
roving after Plants, Birds, Insects, &c. He was a short 
time an assistant to Mr. George Vaux, of Pudding Lane ; 
and afterwards with Mr. Thomas Talwin, of Gracechurch 
Street, a gentleman in an extensive practice, whose busi- 
ness he afterwards purchased ; and from necessity, rather 
than choice, kept up a practice, which, in all probability, 
would have proved more lucrative than his after pursuits 
did, had it been congenial to his mind; but he was so 
much occupied in his favourite studies of Nature, that he 
would have lessened his professional practice had he not 
taken a partner into it: thus setting himself more at 
liberty to pursue his inclinations, at the expence of sacri- 
ficing half its emoluments. 
The partner selected for keeping together their Medi- 
cal practice (Mr. Wavell) was also of the same turn of 
mind, although less ardent than Mr. Curtis. They were 
engaged in the same pursuits at all leisure opportunities; 
and one of their herbarizing excursions on Clapham Com- 
mon, brought about an interview betwixt Mr. Wavell 
and some rich relation of his at Richmond, which shortly 
ended in marriage with a Miss Smith, a visitor there. From 
Mr. Wavell’s good fortune, and the desire of Mr. Curtis to 
leave the profession altogether, and follow his adopted 
fancy, he sold the whole of his practice in Gracechurch 
Street to Mr. Wavell ; and taking a piece of ground, in 
the Grange Road, Bermondsey, first commenced the cul- 
tivation of plants, towards the formation of a regular 
Botanic Garden. Whether Mr. Curtis continued long with 
Mr. Wavell afterwards is uncertain ; but it is probable, a 
close intimacy was kept up betwixt them, until they both 
left the City altogether: Mr. Wavell for Edinborough, 
where he took out his diploma, afterwards establishing 
