LATE WILLIAM CURTIS. XXiil 
he was strongly recommended to carry it into effect; and 
amongst those who were most earnest for it, we believe 
Robert Barclay, Esq. (now of Bury Hill, near Dorking) 
was very sanguine of its success ; perhaps, little thinking 
that, at a future period, he should prove the most valuable 
contributor of new and rare subjects to it. Accordingly 
the work was commenced in 1787, in monthly numbers, 
at one shilling each, containing three plates in each num- 
ber, with three descriptions; and although afforded at 
so cheap a rate, and so beautifully executed, such was 
its sale, that it placed him in easy circumstances, although 
he had so many unproductive schemes in hand at the same 
time. During the life of Mr. Curtis, the monthly sale 
was about two thousand copies of the current number ; 
and from the number of reprints since its commencement, 
it is supposed of each of the early numbers upwards of 
five thousand have been issued. Mr. Curtis conducted 
this work, from its commencement to his death in 1799, 
regularly every month; and left a large store of mate- 
rials for its continuation, under the direction of one of his 
executors, Dr. John Sims; who, from the 172d number, 
for the more convenient division of the paper to half a 
sheet, increased it to four plates in each number. But, 
about this time, the love and knowledge of rare plants 
began to have an ascendency amongst the middle classes of 
society, and it was thought advisable to increase the quan- 
tity still farther. Accordingly, the number of plates was 
doubled ; and each number has since contained eight plates, 
with descriptions. Although it had a very extensive sale 
after this increased quantity, and advanced price, still many 
of those who spent their shilling per month would not go 
so far as three shillings and sixpence, so that the sale of the 
current number was very much reduced; and from the 
commencement of the Botanical Register, and several 
works of a similar nature, the quantity per month was re- 
