LATE WILLIAM CURTIS. XXIX 
copper plates of birds which he afterwards published, pur- 
porting the work to be part of the late Mr. Curtis’s, who 
had little or no hand in it. 
We cannot, perhaps, conclude this memoir of Mr. 
Curtis better than with the concluding article in the sketch 
by Dr. Thornton, which is in its main parts, very correct. 
“ The reader may here expect us to say something on 
the character of Mr. Curtis. No one ever showed from the 
earliest period a greater love for Botany, or ardour in its 
pursuit, than Mr. Curtis. His eye was truly microscopic : 
for seldom had he recourse to a glass to examine the 
smaller parts. Nothing escaped his remark, and his dis- 
cernment was most critical. His descriptions of plants are 
therefore perfect. Neither too profuse, or contracted, these 
are models for our imitation. Able to draw himself, and 
engrave, which appear in him to be self-taught, he could 
direct the artist to express what he himself felt ; and if ever 
he suffered his mind to be ruffled, it was when the painter 
had not fulfilled his part exactly to his mind. 
_ * He was patient of bodily labour ; and careless of what 
he partook in his reseaches after plants. Bread and cheese 
and beer, or eggs, were his usual repast when herborizing ; 
and this chiefly with a view not to lose his time. He ra- 
pidly traversed on foot, considering his make, a prodigious 
extent of country ; and he suffered nothing to escape him. 
It was wonderful the multitude of plants he found growing 
upon any spot; for when herborizing with a large party, 
his keen sight always collected twenty times as many dif- 
ferent plants as were obtained by the whole company. 
Although thus superior, no one was more modest or diffi- 
dent. He never indeed boasted, and but seldom spoke of 
himself. When correcting an error, he performed the task 
in the handsomest manner ; ever accompanying his remark 
with some previous compliment to the person. He was 
‘ : | 
