very ſingular circumſtance, that while the Spaniards were negotiating with Great-Britain, for arranging the difference between them, in an amicable manner, they actually ſettled every port in the Atlantic, as far South as the Straits of Ma-
aſſiduity; and perceiving the very great advantage which they would derive, in their millions, from poſſeſſing a brother who was ſo well ſkilled in medicine and ſurgery, ſpared no pains to win his affection and ſecure his confidence. In ſhort, they ſo worked upon his mind, as to perſuade him to enter into their college and finally to become one of their order. He now entered upon his miniſtry among the Indians, who inhabit the vaſt track of country between the River La Plata and the Straits of Magellan. His ſkill in the cure of diſeaſes, and in performing ſurgical operations, together with his knowledge of mechanics, rendered his miſſion ſucceſſful beyond example. In this country he remained near forty years, and was among the perſons appointed by the Spaniſh Government, to make a ſurvey of the coaſts between the Brazils and the Terra del Fuego, Falkland's Iſlands, &c. When the ſociety of Jeſuits was diſſolved, he was ſent back to Spain, and after an abſence of near forty years, arrived in his native country. Soon after his return to England, he became domeſtic chaplain to Robert Berkeley, Eſq. of Spetchley, near Worceſter, a Roman Catholic gentleman of diſtinguiſhed knowledge, moſt reſpectable character, and large fortune. There he wrote the account of Patagonia, which has been quoted in this volume, and was afterwards publiſhed with a map corrected from that of D'Anville, according to his own obſervations. Mr. Falkner poſſeſſed a very acute mind, a general knowledge and moſt retentive memory. Of his medical experience and practice, I have heard phyſicians of eminence ſpeak in the higheſt terms of commendation. His manners, as may be ſuppoſed, from the tenor of his life, were at once ſingular and moſt inoffenſive: and he retained ſomewhat of his Indian habits to the laſt. He died, as I have been informed, about the year 1781.
