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Member of this Society. He was elected President in 1855, but in 

 consequence of the rapid failure of his sight he was compelled entirely 

 to relinquish his favourite pursuits, and consequently resigned at the 

 end of that year. The most eminent oculists in Europe were con- 

 sulted, but in vain ; the overtaxed organs had lost their functions, 

 and within a few months of the time when he ceased to be a Member 

 of this Society almost total blindness ensued. A few particulars of 

 Mr. Curtis's life, obtained from his widow, will I trust prove accept- 

 able and interesting to my brother Members. 



Mr. Gurtis was born at Norwich in 1791. From his earliest years 

 he evinced a love for natural objects ; his first attachment was to 

 flowers, his mother being a great cultivator of them. At the age of 

 four he was deprived of a father's care, his education consequently 

 devolving on his mother, who sent him at that age to school at 

 Norwich. At this time he had acquired considerable proficiency in 

 drawing flowers, and had also commenced to form a collection of but- 

 terflies. At school he met with kindred spirits, and in company with 

 them made excursions to Mousehold Heath and Horning Fen in 

 search of rarities ; at the latter place, he told me, he first saw Papilio 

 Machaon alive. His success on his various excursions to these 

 localities inspired in him a love for entomological pursuits that 

 remained unabated through life. 



At the age of sixteen he was placed in the offi.ce of a solicitor, but 

 law had no charms for him, for, as he observed, while he was en- 

 grossing parchment, Entomology was engrossing his mind, and at the 

 expiration of two years he quitted an employment so uncongenial to 

 his taste. About this time he became acquainted with Mr. Simon 

 Wilkin, the possessor of a fine collection of insects. With this 

 gentleman he resided some time as Curator, assisting in arranging 

 and augmenting his collection. Mr. Wilkin's collection was consulted 

 by most of the eminent entomologists of the day, so that Mr. Curtis 

 very early in life became acquainted with most of the living celebrities. 

 Mr. Kirby was a frequent visitor, as well as Messrs. Hooker, Lindley 

 and Sparshall.* By this time he had become a very competent 

 draughtsman, since, in addition to his practice in drawing insects and 

 flowers, he received instruction in drawing landscapes from the now 

 eminent, but then little estimated, master, Old Crome of Norwich. 

 Every lover of landscape who visited the late Great Exhibition must 



* Mr. Wilkin died at Hampstead on the 28lh of July, 1862, in the 72nd year of 

 his a<j;e. 



