in the College of Physicians, shews him to have been remarkably
handsome, and to have possessed, in a singular degree, the blessings of
a grave, yet cheerful and inviting, countenance." The same work farther
gives him a most amiable character. Mr. Ray, in his Ornithology, does
not omit paying a just compliment to his assistant and friend, "the
deservedly famous Sir Thomas Browne." Evelyn, in 1671, mentions Sir
Thomas Browne's garden at Norwich, as containing a paradise of
varieties, and the gardens of all the inhabitants as full of excellent
flowers. Switzer says, "The noble elegance of his style has since
induced many to read his works, (of which, that of _Cyrus's gardens_ is
some of the brightest,) though they have had little inclination to the
practice of gardening itself. There remains nothing that I have heard of
his putting gardening actually into practice himself; but some of his
last works being observations on several scarce plants mentioned in
Scripture; and of Garlands and Coronary garden plants and flowers, 'tis
reasonable to suppose he did; and the love he had so early and late
discovered toward it, was completed in the delightful practice thereof."
He further says, " his elaborate and ingenious pen has not a little
added to the nobleness of our subject."[65] His works were published in
1 vol. folio, 1686, with his portrait, engraved by White. His portrait
appears also to his "Certain Miscellany Tracts," 8vo. A list of his
numerous works may be seen in the Biogr. Dictionaires, or in Watts's
Bibl. Britt. To his "Christian Morals," Dr. Johnson has prefixed his
Life. It is so masterly written, that it is impossible to give even an
abstract. Dr. Kippis has, however, in part, transcribed it. He was
chosen Honorary Fellow of the College of Physicians, as a man _virtute
et literas ornatissimus_. In 1671, he received the honour of Knighthood
from Charles II., a prince, (says Dr. Johnson) "who, with many frailties
and vices, had yet skill to discover excellence, and virtue to reward it
with such honorary distinctions, at least, as cost him nothing, yet,
conferred by a king so judicious and so much beloved, had the power of
giving merit new lustre and greater popularity." Thus he lived in high
reputation, till, in his seventy-sixth year, an illness, which tortured
him a week, put an end to his life, at Norwich, on his birth-day,
October 19, 1682. "Some of his last words (we are told by _Whitefoot_)
were expressions of