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BROWNE. 225 given rise to the book in question. His notion was, that drinking to the dead is tantamount to praying for them, and not as is in reality meant, an approbation of certain conduct or principles. The Whigs of course were not less copious in their libations, and the only effect the book had, was their adding good-naturedly to every toast, " in spite of the bishop of Cork." PATRICK BROWNE. THis ingenious and eminent naturalist was the fourth son of Edward Browne, Esq. a gentleman of respectable family and handsome estate, in the county of Mayo, where the subject of the present memoir was born, at Woodstock the paternal inheritance, in the parish of Crossboyne, and county of Mayo, about the year 1720. After receiving a good classical education, he was sent to a near relation in the Island of Antigua, in 1737. But the climate disagree- ing with his constitution, he returned in about a twelve- month to Europe, and landing in France, went directly to Paris, where he speedily regained his health, and with the approbation of his parents, applied himself diligently to the study of medicine, and particularly to the improvement of his knowledge in botany, a science for which he always manifested a peculiar predilection. After having passed five years in the acquirement of knowledge at Paris, he removed to Leyden, where he remained near two years, applying with assiduity to study, and at the expiration of that period, obtained from the famed university of that city, the degree of M.D. Here he formed an intimacy with Gronovius and Muschenbroeck, and commenced a corres pondence with Liunæus, and other eminent botanists and learned men. From Holland he proceeded to London, where he prac- tised his profession near two years, and from thence went t again to the West Indies; and after spending some months in Antigua, and some other of the sugar islands, VoL. I.